A special MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 27, 1976
The Lake County Board of County Commissioners convened in Special Session on Tuesday, April 27, 1976, at 10:00 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, to discuss the Community Block Grant Application of Lake County and to reconvene again at 2:00 P.M. to hold a Public Hearing on a certain elements of the Comprehensive Plan. Present were: Thomas J. Windram, Chairman; C.A. Deems, J.M. Hoskinson, Glenn Burhans and James R. Carson, Jr. Others present were: James Watkins, Clerk; Michael Willett, Director of Planning; Michael Stearman, Associate Planner and Andrea Gambrell, Deputy Clerk.
The Invocation was given by James C. Watkins and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by James R. Carson, Jr.
The Clerk stated that proof of publication had been received and is on file in the office of the Board of County Commissioners.
Mr. Willett briefly explained to the Board the process which had been completed to date regarding the application and stated that Lake County now had an opportunity to apply for $150.00 under this Community Block Grant. He stated that the majority of the funds would be used to pave certain roads in the Bassville Park area and towards the end of the public hearing he would request the County to establish a pavement priority in this area. Discussion was held on the possibility of using a part of this money to clay a few roads in the Bassville Park area which are now just sand trails. Mr. Willett stated that the funds could not be used in this manner.
Mr. Morey, Assistant County Engineer, appeared before the Board and discussed with the Board the cost for paving the three miles of road under consideration.
accounts allowed
Commr. Hoskinson stated that Mr. Watkins, had brought to his attention a situation that needed the Board’s immediate attention. He informed the Board that one of the prisoners was being held in the chute awaiting to appear in Court and apparently had escaped through a vent in the chute and jumped to a ledge adjacent to the Sheriff’s Department. He requested permission for the necessary repairs to be made to the vent in the chute. On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board authorized the necessary repairs to be made in the chute.
maps and plats
Mr. Willett presented to the Board preliminary plans for the construction of roads in Orange Blossom Estates for approval. Discussion was held on the events that took place precipitating this request and the Board members felt that in light of the Emergency Ordinance which was adopted correcting the problem in the Subdivision Regulations a request for approval of plans for the construction of the above mentioned roads was not necessary. On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, this was tabled until the Board meeting of May 4, 1976.
recess and reassembly
At 12:00 Noon the Chairman announced that the Board would adjourn for lunch at the Silver Lake Golf and Country Club. The public and press were invited on a dutch treat basis. The Chairman also announced that the Board would reconvene at 2:00 P.M. for an advertised Public Hearing to consider certain elements of the Comprehensive Plan for Lake County.
county employees
Mr. Van Porter, Special Assistant, appeared before the Board and requested approval for Mr. Maurice Baumgartner to be transferred to the position of Mechanic for the MVI Equipment at a salary of $6,963 per year. On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the above request was approved.
Mr. Morey discussed the difference in price for the paving of the roads if it were done with County crews rather than placing this work out to bid.
Mr. Willett stated that the funds would be allocated info four categories: Housing, Roads, Contingency and Administrative Costs. He explained to the Board that the majority of the funds would be allocated to the paving of roads.
Mr. Willett stated that attached to the Community Block Grant Application is a Housing Assistance Plan through which the County can apply for funds to assisting the subsidy of housing. This application is referred to as Section 8. Mr. Willett stated that the County does not have to apply for these funds but it would help Lake County’s chances for approval of its Community Block Grant Funding if it applied for funds under Section 8.
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved for the Planning Department to make application for the Community Block Grant Funds and stated that the following roads would be paved in the Bassville Park area according to priority. The priorities are as follows:
1. Latham Street
2. Missouri Street
3. Huggins Street
4. Lakeview Street
These roads are located in the Bassville Park area.
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved for the Planning and Zoning Department to submit an application for the Housing Assistance Plan known as Section 8.
planning and zoning
Mr. Willett, Director of Planning, appeared before the Board and briefly explained the activities of Lake County within the past two years preparing for the writing of the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Wayne Bennet, Community Planner, made a slide presentation on the various stages which needed to be followed to compile a Comprehensive Plan as well as the stages already completed by Lake County.
Nancy Chrissinger, Associate Planner, followed with another slide presentation discussing the soils map and the various plans of development suggested for the area of Lake County.
Mr. Duncan Keppy appeared before the Board and requested information on how it is determined whether or not a residential area should be hooked up to a sewer system. Mr. Willett briefly explained the County regulations governing new subdivisions and Mr. Hennessey, Pollution Control Director, stated that he would be happy to supply Mr. Keppy with several pieces of literature which would probably answer many of his questions.
Jack Purdum discussed with the Board the fate of property zoned commercial at present yet not recommended for commercial when the Comprehensive Plan is adopted. The Board informed Mr. Purdum that if the plat is ever vacated the property would not be rezoned without the owners full knowledge that such action was being taken. Mr. Robert Tuller appeared before the Board on behalf of the Lake County Conservation Council. He stated that the Council agreed with the efforts of Lake County to adopt a plan and presented a few changes suggested by the Council’s Board of Directors for the County’s consideration.
T.W. Anderson, Ruth Ray, Bill Walsh, Ray Best and Bob Ray appeared before the Board and points of concern to them were: the expansion of the industrial areas to enable the younger generations an opportunity to establish a livelihood and therefore settle in the Lake County area. The statement regarding the establishment of appropriate zoning for certain areas and the person or persons would be who would determine what was appropriate, to have concrete language in the Comprehensive Plan rather than generalities. It was also discussed that there are many people in Lake County that have established a certain standard of living and the need to take this under consideration when writing the comprehensive plan.
Mr. Ray Best requested that the various subsection be explained. Mr. Willett proceeded to review with the public the sections in the Land Use section of the Comprehensive Plan summarizing the meaning and importance.
Mr. Robe Carson stated that although not everyone will be satisfied with the Comprehensive Plan some action must be taken to guide and control the development in Lake County and commended the Board for its actions in this area.
Jackson Haddox, Lake County Extension Agent, appeared before the Board and stated that Florida is experimenting with different crops to determine which crops grow the best in Florida soil in the hopes to cultivate these crops because due to disease and insects many orange trees are killed and it becomes unprofitable to maintain the grove.
The Board stated that it would take no action, at this time, to adopt the elements presented until the Board had time to discuss and review the Plan and take into consideration the various suggested changes presented to the Board for its consideration at this Public Hearing. At this time the Chairman thanked those citizens who attended this Public Hearing for their interest and comments.
accounts allowed
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously, the Board approved travel for Emogene Stegall, Supervisor of Elections, to attend a special meeting called by the Secretary of State in Tallahassee on May 4 & 5, 1976.
There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
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Thomas j. windram, chairman
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James C. Watkins, Clerk