KG, I was part of the original planning and building of The Oaks.
I recall a Brannon/Chaffee Sector Plan meeting where some citizen participants declared they would support development "if it can be like Riverside and Avondale". I was thinking to myself; carve a development out of basically raw acreage,live out there......on a tiny lot?
Then they missed the mark, lol.
In fact,the Brannon Chaffee /Oakleaf future roadways, "Sector Plan" public input element was easily choreographed by the county planner, Susan Fraser, and Genesis. Genesis got tangled up nicely,later,during Lake Assbury Sector Plan Number 1 (of 2). But they prevailed,rather easily.
Note:Susan Fraser,during her tenure as Clay County Planner during key (Oakleaf) proceedings- was a resident of Riverside Avondale,where she remains today....
She once followed the TV news cameras to my work location. So what. (and we would eventualy end up meeting in the same room joining hands over Avondale Overlay issue/Mellow Mushroom)
One Clay future Roadways meeting element process saw public participation quickly dwindle. Others public engagements easily managed.Susan Fraser represented "County Desires" well.
Susan Fraser was replaced by a person who had by then played recent key role in St Johns County Growth Booster,Consultant matters (Prosser Hollock although forgive spelling,never did get it right)
I will never forget the blank stare and shrug when I directed a question to the Clay Commission Chairman through to the County Planner: was Lake Asbury Sector Plan (#1) in fact Authorized by DCA?
Chalk it all up to "Regional Approach".It's all related in an internecine manner.
The fact that little,if any of the Clay proceedings were 'covered' by News & Information sources will eventually become a story in itself.
Ditto St Johns/Nocatee, another chapter.
As if a Carl Hiaasen novel.
Nocatee- Bold New Edge City
Nobody here at MJ should harbor illusions of somehow controlling surrounding growth in favor of "Jacksonville"- key proceedings occurred years ago.
I see the local TV weather sections notes Nocatee on the regional map images. Prominently lodged between Jax and St Augustine.
Filled a Gap. We can't stand Gaps.