Mayor Alfin answers your questions on growth, infrastructure, and youth activities

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are solely that of the author in his personal capacity and do not necessarily represent the opinions or the views of the city of Palm Coast or the Palm Coast City Council.

Question from Elizabeth Affourtit Shanahan: Honorable Mayor Alfin ... Why are you and council approving all of these new developments without planning for the infrastructure needed to support them? We need your short-term and longterm plans. What are you doing to attract professional businesses to our community? I, for one, am against building apartments in any single-family residential neighborhoods. No rezoning should be adopted without the consent of your constituents. Thank you.

Addressing infrastructure for new development is a complicated challenge. The natural beauty and amenity-rich lifestyle attract many new residents. I remain committed to making our lifestyle a first priority, along with public safety. We have nothing to build on unless we continue to invest in upgrading, renovating, replacing, and repairing the aging bones of our young city. The 2023-2024 budget, along with a "rollback" in tax rate, sets a good precedent for continued investment in our roads and utilities. Palm Coast is currently ranked as the 18th fastest-growing city in the United States and the second-safest city in the entire state of Florida. The challenge accompanying growth requires a masterful balance of smart planning financed by strict and efficient use of taxpayer dollars. I am confident we will achieve financial sustainability for the continued success of our quality of life.

The challenge of growth also offers opportunities for business recruitment. Businesses require trained and local workers. Our increasing population statistics are attractive to business owners who are dependent on a steadily growing workforce to grow their own business. Economic development will remain a funded priority in our budget to ensure that we continue contacting companies that can enjoy success in Palm Coast while enriching our local tax base and providing goods and services desired by residents.

The city of Palm Coast has invited all residents and business owners to participate in a review of the "Comprehensive Plan." The Comp Plan is a blueprint and description of all items relevant to development and growth. The original plan was written more than a quarter century ago. It is time now for all who will volunteer to help us formulate a plan for the future of Palm Coast. We invite everyone to bring forward suggestions and comments to describe our best future forward. Housing and zoning will be key factors in the planning process.

Question from Jessica Forte-Matthews: (The) city website says Fire Station 26 is in design phase since May. Where are we at with that? What’s the timeline?

Fire Station 26, to be located in the Seminole Woods subdivision, is currently in design phase. City staff meets regularly with both the design firm and engineering group as the project moves forward. The design process is well underway and has been making consistent progress since last May. We are looking forward to an on-time project completion during the fourth quarter of 2025.

Question from Corey Udell: I've been in Palm Coast for over 30 years when my parents moved us here. I am a proud local business owner here for over 20 years, have grown up in Palm Coast and now a family with two kids. I would love to see something to come to Palm Coast for our kids and youth! Anything we do with our kids, we usually take them out of the city to do stuff with them such as mini golf, go karting, water park just to name a few. We need more than just the beach, bike trails. There is a growing population of youth in our city that needs things to do. Please explain as the city has done nothing for our youth in the last 30 years I've been here!

I am so pleased to correspond with one of Palm Coast’s long-term proud business owners, and I am also glad that your children have the opportunity to grow up and thrive in our emerging, promising city environment and culture. Here are a few of our Parks and Recreation opportunities I recommend for your children.

1 – Robotics – construction and problems solving with Legos

2 – Indoor Rowing classes

3 – Kayak rentals at Waterfront Park

4 – Tennis and golf lessons

5 – Cooking lessons for 8–12-year olds

6 – Palm Coast Youth Swim Team for non-competitive fun activities in the pool

Please consult our city’s Parks and Recreation Activity Guide located on our website for more specific details about these activities and so many more.

I am very well aware that a city needs balance in both age demographics and age-appropriate amenities to shape a quality of life for all residents. The city’s strategic action plans will continue to support capital improvement projects and activities that appeal to younger residents in the future. We are decidedly behind at the present time but the announced construction of a new state-of-the-art ‘Y’ with full aquatic program is a good first step from which we can build a future for young and old alike!