It's not remotely close, but now that there are lots of other constructions in that area (edit: between your place and the spawn I mean), it's much more relatively closer compared to where I might have to go to start building.
As for the map making things obvious. It might be obvious to you, but I have no idea what your future intentions are for the land you've already built on. And the terrain might be unlimited, but when you have empty pockets and no way to quick travel somewhere, it suddenly becomes much more of an issue. Once you're well established and have resources pouring out everywhere it's a little bit different.
Maybe the spawn should be moved and a DMZ (non-build) area put around it. The only thing that can be built there is a mine cart line that connects to the network?
Like I've said...
I made my first redstone creation near where I was told was the place people use to test redstone stuff. You knocked it down, I wasn't that bothered. Didn't realise you wanted that space clear. It was only an experiment anyway.
I built a tree near-ish your church. Didn't think it'd matter because it was quite a subtle thing. You said you might need that land, I said it was fine, just knock it down.
So I moved out to a place where I knew was far away enough for nobody to need that land and built my thing there.
I built at the edge of what I considered to be the hub of activity. That's how the game is played on all other private servers I've been on.
Either way, I've taken it down and now that I know you have laid claim to this area, I'll make sure it's far away.
And me too, with my tiny entrance to f'loads of caves (and lava :C ) and a pointless stairway to the skies, just to the lower left of Lindy :'(
(I AM KIDDING. I don't actually give a sh*t)
You forgot to cram someone in between my old build and you. Hence the new me.
Edit: You can actually mark my old place Tanner's.