Lynn Haven resident concerned about new development

LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WMBB) — Lynn Haven residents were back at city hall Tuesday, arguing against a new Grease Pro going up at the corner of Harvard Boulevard and Highway 390.

They’re concerned about traffic congestion on the already-busy highway, as well as noise in the nearby Derby Woods and College Point neighborhoods. But they’re most worried about potential pollution of the groundwater.

“It’s an oil change, tire repair and basic auto repair facility, which really shouldn’t be there. There’s going to be chemicals. You don’t put that in a neighborhood and that’s what we’re concerned about is the noise and the chemicals, you know, getting into the neighborhood. But then what flooding problems are we going to have? Things like that,” Resident Zack Detwiler said.

Construction on the property recently began and some claim the contractors are not following the plans approved by the city.

“We are doing what the most that we can within our purview and within our codes of ordinances to ensure that the developer is following the rules. And that way they’re not impeding upon anyone else. I know there have been some concerns about traffic as well as stormwater. So again, they can be assured that our staff is on top of this as much as we can be and making sure that we’re keeping the developer within the lines,” Lynn Haven mayor Jesse Nelson said.

At last, one resident questioned the developer’s 1-thousand-dollar campaign donation to Nelson’s last mayor’s campaign, claiming it arrived just before the commission voted on the project. Nelson says it had nothing to do with the commission’s decision.

“Some people assume that we’re playing favorites with developers. This developer is getting treated the same way all of our other developers are treated, doesn’t matter if they have supported someone in the campaign or not. As commissioners, all of us take an oath to uphold the Constitution. The Florida statutes, as well as doing the best we can for our citizens here in Haven,” Nelson said.

Commissioners told the residents they will discuss their concerns about the Grease Pro development at the October 8th commission meeting.

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