Residents of Kincaid Loop/Boulware Springs Neighborhoods are determined to once and for all close the Florence Landfill – a Construction and Demolition Debris Landfill (Dump) operating in the middle of their neighborhoods. The original 5-year Special Use Permit (issued 1994) stated the Florences were allowed to dump no higher than 2 feet above the property grade and were instructed to close the dump in 1999 because “it is inconsistent with the estate residential zoning of the neighborhood”. Today the dump stands nearly 32 feet high and 28 acres wide on the 48 acre parcel. Zoning in the neighborhood hasn’t changed since 1999, but “somehow” the dump has continued to operate for 25 years past its closure date, while being inconsistent with the zoning.
The SE Gainesville neighborhoods are actively organizing and challenging the continued operation. The Florence Landfill is permitted by a county 5-year Special Use Permit, as well as a permit modification the county (2019 Board of County Commissioners) approved granting a height increase to 70 ft! The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issued a notice to permit the permit modification request in summer of 2023. Some neighbors are challenging the state’s notice to permit the permit modification through an administrative hearing procedure. However, if the county was to revoke the 5-year Special Use Permit, the landfill would have to cease operation, preventing it from ever reaching 70 ft.
In late September 2023, Florence Landfill (Southeast Landholdings, Inc) submitted a county application for renewal of their 5-year county operating SUP (Special Use Permit) set to expire 1/22/24. Neighborhood residents organized and submitted numerous public comments and requests for party status at the quasi-judicial hearing that would determine the fate of the 5-year SUP renewal.
On Dec 6th, Florence Landfill’s attorney issued a notice to Alachua County’s Growth Management stating Florence (Southeast Landholdings, Inc.) intent to exercise the hurricane-related tolling and extension granted under 252.363 (1) (a), Florida Statutes (2023). This legislative extension is an executive order from the Governor’s office automatically granting the Florence landfill another 4 years of operation. This process deferred the quasi-judicial hearing, and removed resident stakeholders’ rights to present their valid concerns to The Board of County Commissioners. The Neighborhood is outraged with the Florence landfill for stripping away resident stakeholders’ voices and valid concerns from the county permitting operation process.
In December 2023, our current County Commission adopted the long awaited Environmental Justice and Equity definition amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. Neighbors highlighted that according to FL 252.363 the legislative extension does not restrict county authority over a permit if the permit is inconsistent with a county ordinance (the Comprehensive Plan). The legislative extension extends the 5-year Special Use Permit (SUP) 4 more years until 2028 as it applies to the 2019 Comprehensive Plan, circumventing the newly adopted Environmental Justice and Equity Ordinances in the current Comprehensive Plan. The legislative extension of the 2019 Special Use Permit directly violates our current Comprehensive Plan.
Neighborhood Residents have urged the county to refuse to capitulate to the executive order, and instead request county authority to not honor the legislative extension. The county attorneys say there must be a material noncompliance violation. Groundwater monitoring reviewed by Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) have shown increasing secondary drinking water standards violations for iron, total dissolved solids, and sulfates that impact taste, color, and odor in addition to corroding and staining laundry, sinks, tubs, and appliances.
The dust generated around the dump is also a concern. Unfortunately no monitoring or data collection exists for the dust the dump generates in the neighborhood, nor the odors suspected to emanate from the landfill. The odors are a rotten egg smell, hydrogen sulfide gas, reported to emit from decomposing drywall. The odors occur more frequently as the landfill grows in size. Many neighbors have been told construction and demolition debris landfills don’t generate odors, these SE Gainesville neighbors strongly disagree.
Neighbors are asking Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) to begin monitoring the hydrogen sulfide gas and dust.
Quotes from residents of Kincaid Loop/Boulware Springs Neighborhoods
1- Johnell Gainey, Kincaid Loop/Boulware Springs Neighbor/Stakeholder:
“Just tell Us the Truth and Show Us! Not by just talking, but by actually doing what you say is going to be done. Start giving Us the same type of things every other community in the city has. I have a Dump less than a 1000 ft from my front door. The man on the NW side has a plaza with a Publix, McDonald’s and an Anytime Fitness Center. I don’t want to trade places with him. All I want is that when I go out my front door I see a community that has value, a community that’s an asset to the city, a community I can be proud of. Can that be a Reality? Or is it just Another Dream.”
2- Brackin Camp, Kincaid Loop/Boulware Springs Neighbor:
“This is devastating news considering the fact that the Board of County Commissioners just spent two years developing and adopting an Environmental Justice and Equity amendment meant to support and protect neighborhoods from exactly what is happening in literally our Southeast Gainesville backyards. This dump is just feet away from people’s homes and farms, across the street from Gainesville’s Historic Boulware Springs Nature Park, Alachua County Sweetwater Preserve East Trail, and Paynes Prairie State Preserve is under a mile away. This dump would never be sited for operation today, especially under these newly adopted amendments. The Board of County Commissioners must use their local power to stop the private owners of the dump from continuing their operation at the expense of the health of the nearby neighbors. The environmental impact of this dump is proven to inflict harm on this fragile ecosystem ie) local plants, animals, air, and aquifer groundwater. This toxic landfill must be shut down immediately!”
3- Miriam Welly Elliott, Boulware Springs Neighbor
There are so many reasons to be concerned about the Florence C&D landfill. My chief concern is the impact on the health of my neighbors, especially persons with disabilities. They don’t need the additional burden on their health from this landfill. Numerous studies have shown that Black populations have a higher incidence of asthma. This area of SE Gainesville is predominately Black. My partner has respiratory issues. What airborne particulates are we breathing? We have learned that not all drywall is being diverted from the landfill. Drywall is a hazardous waste because it emits hydrogen sulfide gas when it decomposes. So are we breathing in this health hazard? Those who live close by report a sulfur smell on a regular basis. Not to mention that the landfill has no liner so what is going into the groundwater, contaminating Boulware Springs, Paynes Prairie or the drinking water of those using well water. Finally, we neighbors are not against the Florence family or their business. We strongly object to the LOCATION in a residential neighborhood. We urge the state and the county, in the name of Environmental Justice, to close this inappropriately located landfill.
For more information please contact:
Respect Southeast Gainesville
352 745 3878
RespectSoutheastGainesville@gmail.com
Respect Southeast Gainesville 