About
You May Be Wondering Who’s Behind This Website
I would, too. So, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lynne Takacs.
Last September, I received an email about a proposed change to the Comprehensive Plan that could pave the way for more than a thousand acres near Lake Jackson to become Tallahassee’s next major development. I learned this thirty minutes before the City Commission meeting was set to begin and immediately drove downtown to speak against it. Despite being one of many people who spoke in opposition, the proposal passed 3-2.
I had no idea then that this issue would soon take over my life.
Even though that was the first time I had ever spoken before a commission meeting, I’m a big believer in being an engaged citizen. I also believe that if we want better outcomes, we have to take action, let others know what’s happening and let them know what steps can be taken to change the outcome. That’s why I built this website.
My goal is to share what’s going on, what’s at stake and how this impacts not just those living in the area, but everyone in our community. I’ve included documents for folks like me who want to take a deeper dive, and I welcome your comments. If I got something wrong, or if there’s more to the story, please message me so I can take a second look. My plan is to continue adding more information as it becomes available.
Most of all, I hope you’ll act on what you’ve learned. After all, being a good citizen isn’t just about obeying traffic laws and voting—it’s also about speaking up.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about this issue.
Please consider sharing it with your friends, neighbors and colleagues so they have a chance to take a peek inside the process and understand the impact of the decisions being made in our community.
Some Questions You May Have
Is this an anti-growth site?
Absolutely not. While I know it’s popular these days to paint anyone who opposes a development with that brush, it’s not always true, and in this case, it’s not true at all. Some areas simply aren’t good candidates for development, and if there was ever an example of that, it’s the 1,742 acres proposed for annexation near Lake Jackson. Growth should occur where infrastructure exists, environmental impacts can be responsibly mitigated and the public interest is served. I don’t believe this development meets those criteria, but I invite you to look at the data and decide for yourself.
Do you have a background in planning?
No. My background is in graphic design and communications. I also live off Meridian Road and often sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic during morning rush hour and throughout soccer and baseball season. It led me to wonder how on earth a Welaunee- or Southwood-sized development could be approved on a road that already backs up for miles and how exactly the planning process works to allow something like that to happen. That curiosity led me on a months-long quest to understand the process, the impacts and the costs.
Who funded this website?
This website was created, researched and paid for entirely by me. I wrote the information, purchased the domain, pay the hosting costs and maintain the site in my spare time and on my own dime. I am not affiliated with any organization, political candidate, political committee or advocacy group, nor am I being paid by anyone to create or maintain this website. I’m not employed by one either. In fact, I’m self-employed and own a small design and communications studio in downtown Tallahassee.
I’ve lived in Tallahassee for more than 20 years and care deeply about my community. It’s why I raised a family here, built a business here and want to see it succeed. It’s that same reason that I built this site.
My motivation is simple: to save others the time and frustration of falling down the same rabbit holes I did. I spent countless hours digging through planning documents, reports and public records to understand how the planning process works and what a development of this size could mean for the Lake Jackson area. I didn’t want you to have to do the same. So, here’s my research. I hope it helps!