Acreage residents up in arms over proposed commercial construction

THE ACREAGE, Fla. - Anne and Gert Kuhl moved to the Acreage to get away from the pitfalls and perils of modern city living.

"We don't want commercial in the Acreage, that's why we moved here. We don't want an amenity on every corner," said Anne. 

Thanks to a new 30 plus acre proposed development, those amenities will in fact, be right across the street from the Kuhl's home. They feel that their peace and tranquility has been, compromised.

"We don't need the commotion that commercial brings. The crime, the traffic, that's our main concern," said Anne.

According to Bob Bentz of Land Design South, the deal is basically done. All that's left, is the formality of approving a site plan.

"This application will change it to a planned development district, which will be consistent with the land use approvals that have already occurred on the site. It will allow a total of 106-thousand square feet of neighborhood serving retail uses on that property," said Bentz.

With the zoning all but changed, it's only a matter of time before the sandy berms and palm trees, across from the Kuhl's home, are replaced by a grocery store, two banks a gas station, and other retail outlets. However, it's not just the aesthetics the Kuhls have a problem with.

"If there is an accident there due to increased traffic, we can't get out of here," said Anne. 

According to Bentz however, the developers already planned for that.

"We're doing a number of lane improvements; turn lanes, additional lanes, right turn left turn lanes, on both Northlake as well as along Coconut, to accommodate access into and out of this property. It should actually improve the traffic at that intersection," said Bentz.

For the Kuhls, and their neighbors, the whole ordeal feels more like dirty politics, rather than what's best for the neighborhood.

"I've printed up signs out here, I've done everything I can do. I called all my friends and none of them knew about it, and all I can do is complain to the county about it," said the Kuhl's neighbor, Larry Marcum. 

The case will go before county commissioners on Thursday the 28th, and the Kuhls hope that residents will come out, so that their voices can be heard.