The Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition recently published an article entitled:
Kanata Golf and Country Club
Here is its opening paragraph:
“A decades-old agreement between the City of Ottawa and a golf course might be the only thing stopping a development proposal from replacing holes with homes.”
Greetings all!
Today it is two months and one day since ClubLink’s presentation in the Community Hall. We heard of their plans to close Sandpiper and develop portions of the North Lakes course, Caloosa Greens, and Sandpiper. They haven’t scheduled any more meetings yet, even though facilities are reserved for a meeting on June 25th.
This has given us in SaveSCC precious time to build some infrastructure and capacity to pursue our goals: preserve golf courses and green space in Sun City Center and Kings Point. Given that we all are volunteers and we’ve only been at this for two months, I’d say our progress has been remarkable. Your membership, attendance at meetings, donations, suggestions, and work are making a difference as we “form and storm.” We continue to inform Sun City Center residents and get them to take a more active interest in this critical matter.
Due to this inspired citizens’ action, we see success in the future as we defeat ClubLink’s development plan.
Even people who are out-of-towners or snowbirds are helping out.
Our membership is now growing at a faster rate due to our successful canvassing operations. Please continue to talk to your friends, neighbors and associates, encourage registration on the website, and forward our materials.
At this stage, we are continuing to build our membership base and fine-tuning our communications. This positions in us well for when ClubLink returns or files their paperwork for rezoning or permitting.
We are continuing active dialogues with the county staffs in planning and development to further understand how we can most effectively engage and present the case to defeat ClubLink.
My dialogue is also continuing with Bob Sullivan and the CA Board regarding our potential structure. Some possibilities include a not for profit corporation, a CA Club, or a nonaffiliated organization.
The feedback we received regarding our inaugural “Newcomer” meeting was very positive. We covered the ClubLink proposal and the SaveSCC response from soup to nuts in an hour and a half. (Unfortunately, we were unable to enlist my PowerPoint presentation.) More than 100 folks attended. It was a successful night. The mission to bring everyone up to speed was accomplished. Many thanks to all who attended. The mix was about 60% first timers and 40% returning folks or members who have been at other meetings.
Before we can establish of SaveSCC’s organizational structure, we need a corporate secretary. Here is a brief description of the position’s responsibilities: A corporate secretary is required by state corporation laws for every corporation and by the CA for all Clubs and nonaffiliated organizations. A corporate secretary is responsible for ensuring that the records (or minutes) of the board’s actions during a meeting reflect the proper exercise of the fiduciary duties.
Please step forward for consideration for this important and vital role. You will become an important officer in our team. We need you now. This is your chance to join our inner circle and make a difference in the future of SaveSCC and our community. You will be well supported by me and the other SaveSCC board members, Mike Newson and Gershon Klein.
While I had an extensive review and gameplan I was going to share regarding the Comprehensive Plan, we should probably not reveal any details of our coming offensive strategy. There is no need to forewarn ClubLink.
At tonight’s meeting, we will revisit our meeting philosophy for the summer (or until we receive confirmation of action from ClubLink.
SaveSCC Agenda
Working Meeting May 25, 2022
Rollins Theater, 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Introduction of our Chairperson – Ellie Anderson
Introduction of our Moderator
Ground Rules for Comments from the Floor
Welcome – returning folks, new folks – Ellie Anderson
Future Meeting and Room Arrangements Discussion – Ellie Anderson
Open Positions
Pending Work Plan Tasks
Updates:
CA Board Update
Zoning / Government Relations Team – Mike Newsome
Pamphlet and Canvassing Team – Carol Hugill
Web Team – Peter Bates
Corporate setup Team – Fern Kirkham & Kerry Didday
Graphics and promo materials – Bill Stinchcomb
Treasury Report – Ruth Johnson, Assistant Treasurer
Other Business
Wrap-up
I attended the recent Community Leaders Meeting to:
Pamphlets were provided at all tables for the attendees.
After the meeting, I received a request from Bob Sullivan, CA Board President , that we cease and desist from approaching club spaces, and members in club spaces. or anyone on CA property distributing pamphlets or campaigning for our cause “Save Sun City.” This activity is prohibited per Bob. Accordingly, I ask that all SaveSCC members and helpers honor this request and refrain from any SaveSCC activities with the Clubs and on CA property. The CA has been very forth-coming and cooperative with our requests and work. I do not want anyone to jeopardize the goodwill we have. If you have a club matter or CA, do not take it upon yourself. Please contact me. There have been a number of complaints from Club Presidents and members to the CA Board. Thank you.
We will be holding our first Newcomers Meeting on Wednesday, May 18th at 6 pm in the Caper room. This will not be our typical working session. This is a great opportunity for us to bring Newcomers into the fold. We will speak to the challenges ClubLink’s proposed development presents, talk about SaveSCC, why we are, who we are, what we’re about, and most importantly, how we can work together to defeat ClubLink. We can stop their development project and protect our golf courses and greenspaces. I look forward to seeing you there. The shotgun email that went out contains a preliminary draft of the agenda.
We are establishing our legal entity now – Save Sun City Center, Inc. Finding the right folks for our open officer positions who have the time, talent, experience and enthusiasm, are in town and are representative of a broad base of the community, is a major hurdle we need to get past. Unfortunately, some folk who were in various capacities previously were not able to step up as corporate officers. The open positions are Corporate Secretary, Assistant Treasurer and Agent. We need strong, competent, hard-working folks in these key positions and cannot proceed with our corporate filing without them officially signed-on and in place. This is a high priority, urgent appeal. If we are to succeed, talented, dedicated and motivated folks leading and driving the effort are essential.
We have a number of positions we are seeking to fill. If you have time and are looking for a volunteer opportunity, we need you! The shotgun email contains a list of available openings.
Summer time has unique challenges with snowbirds, graduations, and vacations.
Some of you have been asking when you’ll be able to donate via the web site and why now we accept cash, not checks. In a word, soon.
SaveSCC’s legal organization and filings, as well as our EIN information, are prerequisites before SaveSCC can establish the banking relationships needed to handle checks and electronic payments.
For now, we can only accept cash donations held by our treasurer until we get this resolved. Meanwhile, we still must meet our expenses in the interim for web hosting, domain registration, Google Workspace, Zoom, pamphlets, flipchart, flipchart paper, collateral materials, hardware for the Zoom setup including camera and microphone, etc.
In response to a recent request from our planning and zoning team, we received the following information with regards to the North Lakes from a Hillsborough County executive planner:
A review of the historic zoning records associated with the subject parcel indicates the parcel was zoned R-1 in the early 1970’s. The R-1 district permitted both single-family lots and golf courses. During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, Hillsborough County went through a process called Zoning Conformance in which all the zoning district classifications across unincorporated Hillsborough County were updated to conform to the newly adopted Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan. During that time frame, the zoning designation was changed to the present RSC-6 zoning district, which also presently permits both single-family lots and golf courses. As such, the current RSC-6 zoning predates adoption of the referenced Community Plan provisions for Sun City Center.
With respect to the other courses in Sun City Center, those other courses are included with the Planned Development zoning district that covers the majority of Sun City Center. The subject zoning district was in place at the time of Zoning Conformance and therefore, the area was retained as a Planned Development as part of that process. Uses within Planned Development districts are regulated in accordance with a general site plan that is approved as part of the zoning approval. The other golf courses are designated on the general site plan as a golf course. Therefore, unlike the RSC-6 zoned parcel covering the North Lakes Golf Course, these golf courses cannot be utilized for any other use without first having to modify the zoning through a noticed public hearing process to change the use designation on the general site plan. Such zoning review would require review for consistency with applicable policy provisions in the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan, including the Greater Sun City Community Plan.
We look forward to seeing you at Wednesday’s meeting. Please distribute this information to your friends and associates.
Let’s get the word out.
Many thanks to the attendees at our meeting Wednesday night in the Caper room. We received cash donations totaling $2,300. Awesome start. These funds are being held by our treasurer, Mike Smith, and will be used exclusively for professional services when we feel they are warranted.
We are doing as much of the work ourselves as possible to minimize expenses while not jeopardizing our outcomes. Almost another $1,500 has been spent and donated by key participants for items like flip charts, web hosting and tools, pamphlets and lawn signs.
On Thursday May 12 I spoke with Bob Sullivan, CA Board President. Bob informed me that he had called John Finlayson, Chief Operating Officer of ClubLink on Wednesday to get an update on where they are. So far, they have not selected any builder. Knowing of our interest to potentially buy Sandpiper, Bob inquired as to what offer they might entertain. John said the they would require a bonafide offer, but they weren’t selling anyway (!). They intend to develop Sandpiper.
ClubLink will not be meeting with the CA membership this month. There is a tentative session scheduled for June 29, but there is no confirmation from ClubLink.
Bob assured me that he would include me in any special sessions between the CA, ClubLink, and Sun City Center HOA presidents.
The big question: Does the CA Board support SaveSCC? To date, they have remained neutral on the ClubLink project. (Mitchell Horowitz, Attorney at Law with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, is advising the CA Board on ClubLink related matters with others in the firm.)
What is the CA Board’s position on Save SCC?
Only Bob Sullivan can answer that question. I suspect he would say “neutral.” He and other board members are aware of SaveSCC and our efforts. I have offered comments and questions during the audience participation periods of the official board meeting at the last two meetings. I plan to make this a regular activity until the ClubLink matter is concluded.
All the members have received the Save Sun City pamphlet from us.
I have met and spoken with Bob on many occasions since this recent project was announced in the March 23rd presentation from ClubLink.
Board members have received emails and phone conversations from many SaveSCC members.
We are starting to formalize our organization legally. We need to establish key officers or a board. We already have a number of candidates in mind but are asking if there are others who want to be considered. If you are interested, please contact me and provide some background and why you think you be a great asset.
Regarding Zoom, we are proceeding as quickly as possible to establish capabilities to allow remote meeting access to those who can’t attend in person, such as snowbirds. We will also use these capabilities extensively in our work groups and teams.
Someone approached me a few weeks back after one of our sessions with the offer of computer equipment. If you’re reading this and that offer still stands, could you please contact me?
Enjoy your golf outings and greenspace! Many thanks for your support and time!
Ellie
andersonellie@mac.com
312-282-7337
To download the most recent PDF version of this pamphlet that you can print out and distribute, click on the image below:
SCC resident Patsy Ginley sent this highlighted letter to the SCC Observer and it was published!
letter to editorSCC ObserverThe Gainesville Sun recently published an article entitled:
Here are its opening paragraphs:
“Locals packed an Alachua County board room Wednesday night as a planning commission decided whether to approve a residential development in place of the now-defunct West End Golf Club across the street from the Tioga Town Center in the Jonesville-Newberry area.
The room of concerned citizens claimed the project will disrupt traffic and their peaceful neighborhoods that surround the proposed site, while developers said they could alleviate some concerns by creating the third largest park in the county.”