here - Satellite Beach

Internet Research
Armando Martinez
(Note: Articles Appear in Reverse Chronological Order)
Tab 8
also won't be developed. He said some of the annexed acres include wetlands but most are rural
Florida lands.
"We wanted to maintain the agricultural and timberlands character of the land," he said.
A desire to maintain the rural designation for the open land west of the city was a big factor in
why landowners sought voluntary annexation into Bunnell.
"The appeal was that we probably were losing political ground to those who didn't know about
the west side (of the county)," said Elbert Tucker, a Bunnell city commissioner and a landowner.
"The political climate was not warm enough."
Tucker said water issues were a major concern for landowners in the county's agricultural west
side - generally the area west of U.S. 1. He said being annexed by Bunnell offered protection
from "enroachment" from other municipalities.
"We needed to cut off that westerly expansion of other municipalities," Tucker said.
Flagler County officials say the growth of Bunnell can be a good thing for the city and the
county.
"Although the annexation presents some unique challenges, it also creates new opportunities to
partner and work closer together on projects," County Administrator Craig Coffey said in an e-
mail. "We have already worked with Bunnell on our comprehensive plans and other cooperative
efforts.
"As always, we will continue to work with our city government partners to give our residents the
best service possible in whatever jurisdiction they choose to be a part of."
The annexations weren't done just to make the city bigger, Cuthbertson said.
"We annexed a significant amount of property along the railroad that will allow us to develop
property that will create good-paying jobs."
At the same time, Martinez said the city wants to enhance its inner core, and give residents and
visitors a strong sense of community.
"We'd like to give our inner core a Norman Rockwell-ish feel," he said.
Officials are not looking to see the city's population swell to fill all that land.
"Bunnell doesn't have any desire to be a large population center," Cuthbertson said. He said he
expects the population to grow to about 11,000 in the next 10 years.
Page 59 of 104