Alachua residents push back on Walmart development rezoning along US-441

ALACHUA, Fla. (WCJB) — Alachua city commissioners held a public hearing Monday afternoon on a proposal to rezone farmland along U.S. Highway 441 for a planned development that could include a Walmart.

Many residents attended the meeting in opposition to the development, citing concerns about increased traffic and potential harm to wildlife in the area. A handful of attendees expressed support, including one woman who wrote to the commission calling the project an opportunity to expand shopping and dining options for residents.

Developers acknowledged that a traffic study conducted in 2020 failed. Sherry Burnett, a resident opposed to the development, also criticized the timing of the hearing.

“It tells me they do not have the best interest of the citizens of Alachua at heart; they do not,” Burnett said. “It’s a very poor choice again to change the meeting. Again, it was initially at 6 o’clock when most people could attend, and now it’s at noon where people cannot.”

In June, commissioners voted 3-2 to change the land use designation for the development. Alachua County officials have asked developers to complete an engineering and environmental study to determine whether the project would affect a landfill located adjacent to the property. Applicants said they will comply with that request.

Monday night, city commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of the rezoning plan.

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