DEBARY, Fla – More than 100 DeBary residents protested the city's plans to develop conservation land at Gemini Springs on Saturday. City leaders say it could be positive growth for the future.
The group has one message: Save our springs.
Recommended Videos
"We don't want this. This isn't right," rally organizer Mary Sue Scott said.
The residents are against the city's plans to commercially develop 100 acres of land at Gemini Springs. They biked and walked, on two or four legs, to raise awareness over this controversial issue.
"We love this land. We don't want it to be commercial and it was never meant to be commercial, so we're going to fight it," Scott said.
The city is trying to get the land from the St. Johns River Water Management District. The plan is to build storm water management, a park, and housing developments. The mayor says City Council's idea is to promote economic growth, but he doesn't support this project.
"I think they're goal is to kick start development in the downtown district, so I; kind of see what they're attempting to do, but I think this is the wrong way to do it," DeBary Mayor Clint Johnson said.
Opponents say they're all for growth, they just don't think it should be done on land that is not meant for commercial use.
"None of us are against development, it's going to happen," Scott said. "We need it, but it just needs to be where it's supposed to be and they need to develop it responsibly."
The residents tell News 6 until City Council hears what they have to say, they will continue fighting to save the springs.
"We're a small town, we're close. They should have known our residents. In their hearts they should have known this is wrong, this is not what we would want, and they didn't," Scott said.
News 6 called and emailed all of the City Council members and the city manager for comment, but did not get a response.