We’re preparing a statutory legal action to hold the City of Bunnell accountable for violating state law in the approval of the 2,788-acre Reserve at Haw Creek development.
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⚖️ Why Legal Action Is Necessary
This isn’t a routine zoning appeal. It’s a statutory challenge under Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, focused on whether the City of Bunnell lost jurisdiction when it failed to adopt its Comprehensive Plan amendment within the 180-day limit required by Florida Commerce’s review process.
That missed deadline makes the City’s subsequent rezoning and PUD approvals legally void.
This action seeks a court declaration confirming that both the amendment and the dependent rezoning ordinance are withdrawn and nullified under state law—not a discretionary appeal, but a clear enforcement of the statutory timeline Florida requires every local government to follow.
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Every Dollar Counts
Even small contributions can make a huge difference.
If every person who’s already spoken out against The Reserve at Haw Creek chipped in just a little, we could reach our goal together.
- 200 people giving $75 each would meet the goal.
- 500 people giving $30 each would meet the goal.
- 1,000 people giving just $15 each would meet the goal.
Every donation — no matter the size — helps fund this statutory legal action to ensure the City of Bunnell follows Florida law.
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️ What’s at Stake
The Reserve at Haw Creek proposal covers nearly 2,800 acres of rural and wetland land west of the City of Bunnell.
It overlaps the Florida Wildlife Corridor, FEMA-mapped floodplains, and aquifer-recharge zones documented by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) and FWC.
If allowed to stand despite an expired state-review period, it would set a precedent that any city can ignore statutory deadlines, gutting public oversight across Florida.
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⚖️ What This Legal Action Can — and Can’t — Do
This case won’t permanently stop the landowners of The Reserve at Haw Creek from ever re-filing a proposal.
What it does is hold the City accountable for violating Florida’s statutory process and invalidate the approvals made outside the lawful timeline.
If successful, this action could:
- Force a full restart of the rezoning and PUD process under current laws and leadership.
- Lower the total home count or alter project terms if it returns in a new form.
- Shift political momentum as Bunnell’s commissioners face re-election in March 2026, giving the community more leverage and transparency.
- Buy critical time to work with major conservation partners — including the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) — both of which have already expressed interest in acquiring or preserving portions of this land.
In other words, this case keeps the door open for a better outcome, whether that’s a scaled-back plan or conservation of the most sensitive areas — but we want everyone to know up front that this lawsuit alone cannot permanently prohibit future proposals.
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How Your Donation Helps
All funds raised will go exclusively toward:
- 1. Filing and pursuing the statutory action in Circuit Court.
- 2. Attorney and paralegal research costs tied to the 180-day lapse and ordinance record.
- 3. Certified records, expert affidavits, and court filing fees.
- 4. Public transparency materials summarizing the court filings for residents.
No funds will be used for personal compensation or unrelated expenses.
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Transparency & Accountability
A separate legal-fund account (“Legal Funds for RHC”) has been opened solely for campaign donations. A photo of the opened account is available within the photos of this petition. Account & routing number have been removed for privacy & prevent theft of funds.
Every expense will be reviewed and published summaries will be done regularly.
Receipts and legal filings will be posted publicly once filed.
If a nonprofit fiscal sponsor joins, all management will transfer under their accounting for full public verification.
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Why It Matters Beyond Bunnell
This case could set the statewide precedent that cities cannot sidestep Florida Commerce’s statutory deadlines or retroactively validate expired amendments. Upholding the rule of law protects every rural community in Florida from the same overreach.
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Every Contribution Builds Momentum
Every dollar counts.
If 200 people donated $75, or 1,000 people gave just $15, we would reach our full goal of $15,000 to fund this statutory legal case.
Even $5 from someone who cares about protecting Flagler’s rural land helps move us forward.
The more of us who stand together, the louder and stronger this effort becomes.
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✊ Stand With Us
Help ensure this challenge reaches the courtroom.
If you can’t donate, please share this page.
Together we can prove that Florida’s growth laws mean what they say—and protect our land, water, and future generations from unlawful development.
Organizer
