A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF
comprehensive plan workshop
NOVEMBER 9, 2009
The Lake County Board of
Commr. Cadwell explained that this was the last of three meetings that give an opportunity for the Board to hear public comment and that all comments would be reviewed and researched by staff and presented to the Board at the November 17, 2009 workshop. He stated that the final public hearings would be held on January 19, 2010 before the Comprehensive Plan is transmitted to the Department of Community Affairs. He mentioned that there is a three minute time limit for each speaker.
Ms. Amye King, Director of Growth Management introduced staff as follows: Ms. Donna Bohrer, Public Hearing Coordinator and Mr. Brian Sheahan, Director of Planning and Community Design.
public comment
Mr. Greg Beliveau, LPG Environmental, representing Austin
Carriage, presented the proposed Future Land Use Map outlining the Austin
Carriage property near
Mr. Beliveau asked the Board to reconsider the requirement under proposed policy 2.2.2 in the potable water sub-element of the proposed Comp Plan that requires existing homes and development to connect to public potable water within five years of the effective date of the ordinance. He stated that it would be a huge burden to fulfill this requirement which does not consider lot size and availability to the utility lines.
Mr. John C. Whitaker (Cliff), representing the May and
Whitaker Family Partnership, Ltd., requested that the Board change the zoning
on his family property of 400 acres located on the south side of
Mr. John B. Whitaker commented that in the future he would
like to see more diversity on the committee that would include someone from the
industry or private citizens like large land owners that are affected by the
proposed regulations. He commented that
he would like to see more communities like The Villages, The Plantation,
Ms. Linda Bystrak, Oklawaha Valley Audubun Society member,
stated that she endorses the Comp Plan and asked that the Board focus on
protecting the
Ms. Peggy Belflower stated that she was informed that the
realignment of CR 437 was going to be developer driven and asked the Board not
to make a decision on the Jones property with the understanding that this
realignment is going to happen. She
noted that the Lake Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has only
projected up to 500 new residences in the
Ms. Helen McCormick,
Mr. John Pospisil provided a history of the acquisition of his property and asked the Board to protect his property rights to allow for one unit per acre with 50 percent open space as allowed in the Rural Transitional category.
Ms. Shirley Schue thanked the Commissioners for denying
the request by the Village Commons, because the proposal was out of character
for the area and more importantly, violated the Comp Plan. She opined that it is important to keep the
details in the Comp Plan instead of the Land Development Regulations (LDRs) and
stated that without the details in the Comp Plan, square footage requirements
will be calculated on the floor area ratio and the impervious surface
ratios. She reported that the LPA made
very specific accommodations for the
Mr. George Gideon expressed his concern for the Mount Plymouth-Sorrento area, stating the plans for that area are constantly changing. He opined that he wants the details to remain in the Comp Plan and wants the Mount Plymouth-Sorrento area to keep its rural character and lifestyle.
Ms. Priscilla Bernardo Drugge, former Mount Plymouth Sorrento Planning Advisory Committee Vice-chairman, presented a list of requests from the Mount Plymouth-Sorrento community that date back to August 2005. She reported that the community has repeatedly requested a town center with parks and small shops that cater to eco-tourism. She reported that the community has achieved one of its goals and now has a school and park with recreational areas that are shared in the community. She stated that the requests of the community were made into policy by the LPA and asked that the Board support those policies. She asked the Board to keep the details and restrictions that are in the Comp Plan to protect this community.
Ms. Heather Brush,
Ms. Anita Simpson stated that she owns approximately 100
acres immediately south of the city limits of Howey-in-the-Hills, which is currently
being used as orange grove. She
expressed concern with the proposed future land use of rural transition on her
property because her property abuts the city of
Ms. Anita Gideon stated that the Mount Plymouth-Sorrento area is home to numerous horse farms and ranches that hire local residents and that have invested a lot of time and money into the area. She opined that too much change in the Mount Plymouth-Sorrento area will force the horse farms to relocate to an area that will accommodate the horse community. She asked the Board to support the LPA policies and recommendations and to keep the details in the Comp Plan that will help sustain the rural flavor of this community.
Ms. Leslie Garvis opined that local residents and businesses are waiting for the Comp Plan to be finalized and to see if the changes will service the existing community. She commented that the community has already defined itself, and the majority of the residents want to maintain that rural character. She stated that she supports the LPA recommendations and asked the Board to keep the details in the Comp Plan and to limit the square footage.
Mr. William G. House, River Realty, asked for clarification of the new and old commercial corridors in Astor.
Commr. Cadwell commented that he understood that a lot of the issues are emotional for some of the residents, and thanked everyone for their time and comments. He stated that he looks forward to the workshop and public hearing to finalize the Comp Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
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welton g. cadwell, chairman
ATTEST:
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NEIL KELLY, CLERK