Over 80 concerned residents from North Olga and Alva attended our inaugural meeting to discuss the past, present, and future of Alva. We learned a lot, including some history of Alva and the Lee Plan that was developed in the 1980’s to help guide the planning board and commissioners as they make decisions on development projects. We also learned from Mr. Bill Redfern exactly how and why the North Olga Community Planning Area was split from Alva and that 27 letters were received by Lee County in opposition of splitting the district away from Alva while only four letters in support were received. At one point, we took a poll to see how many people in the room were unaware that we live in “North Olga” – unsurprisingly, the overwhelming majority did not know.
We defined Alva Strong’s mission and clarified why we need to operate alongside Alva, Inc. Both organizations are working together and supporting each other to preserve the rural character of our community. Neither organization wants the proposed Neal Community in its proposed high density form. We made it very clear: we are not against ALL development, rather we ARE FOR development that is consistent with our community’s rural character. But because of North Olga’s unwanted split from Alva in 2010, we have specific minor goals that Alva Inc. cannot participate in, like earning a seat on the North Olga Community Planning Panel, which is currently open only to property owners within the limits of North Olga.
Attorney Ralf Brookes offered to speak about some of the things we can do to fight these developments, including showing up and speaking at planning hearings in order to be allowed to speak at commissioner’s meetings where the final decision will be made.
Finally, we made an appeal for volunteers to donate time, skill, and funds to the cause. Unfortunately lawyers and expert witnesses are not going to work for free! Be on the lookout for an email inviting you to participate in any way you can.
While the adults discussed important business, some of the families’ children played ball in the park. It doesn’t get any more country than that!
