The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Thursday, October 22, 1992, at 7:00 p.m., in the Umatilla Civic Center, Umatilla, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Michael J. Bakich, Chairman; and Catherine Hanson. Commrs. Bailey, Swartz and Gregg were not present due to prior commitments. Others present were: Annette Star Lustgarten, County Attorney; Mike Sabol, Assistant County Attorney; Peter F. Wahl, County Manager; Mike Anderson, Director of Facilities & Capital Improvements; Jim Stivender, Director of Public Services; John Swanson, Director of Planning; Tom Neumayer, Director of Corrections; Dave Warren, Tourist Development Director; Steve Hiney, Recycling Coordinator; Lisa Ford, Office of Budget; and Marlene S. Foran, Deputy Clerk.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commr. Bakich.
Commr. Bakich (District 5 Commissioner) opened the meeting by introducing Commissioner Hanson (District 4), and County Staff who were present in the audience.
Mr. Welton Cadwell, City Clerk representing the City of Umatilla, stated that Mr. Tom Rosser, Mayor of Umatilla, would not be present this evening and expressed the Mayor's welcome to those present.
It was noted that, in addition to the department heads and staff members, there were approximately 10 individuals from the local community present.
UPDATE ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Mr. John Swanson, Director of Planning, appeared before those present and provided an update on the current status of the Lake County Comprehensive Plan. He stated that Exhibit B, a stipulated settlement agreement for the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, has been submitted, and the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is in the process of reviewing said agreement. He stated that the
current Lake County Comprehensive Plan will accommodate for a population growth of approximately 274,000 people in Lake County to the year 2005.
Mr. Swanson reviewed current changes and pointed out various density changes on the Land Use Map. The map currently reflects a density of seven (7) units per acre for land adjacent to cities; a density of four (4) units per acre for urban expansion categories; and a density of one (1) unit per acre, with the ability for a Planned Unit Development ("PUD") to allow for up to three (3) units per acre, with specific restrictions, for the suburban expansion categories.
Mr. Swanson stated that caps have been set on the number of lots that may be approved, and the number of building permits that may be issued, particularly in the Green Swamp area during a one year period. He reviewed the proposed caps for the core conservation area, rural conservation area, transition area, rural area and rural villages.
At this time, the Board members and staff responded to questions presented by those present in the audience.
Mr. Glenn Brown questioned how much of the taxpayers money has been spent on attorney fees for the Comprehensive Plan negotiating process with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
Ms. Janet Brady appeared before the Board to address the issue of an industrial wastewater disposal system permit, which has been issued to an animal research facility, and zoned agricultural in the Wekiva River Protection Area. She reviewed the circumstances regarding this issue and misrepresentations that have been made regarding said facility. She expressed her objection to the definition of a kennel, as addressed in the Land Development Regulations (LDRs), as an activity that does research, boarding and breeding of dogs. She stated that this definition allows for and legalizes this type of research activity to be put on land zoned as agricultural. She stated that she is in receipt of a letter from Animal Industries, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, which states that a research facility is not an agricultural land use, and that dogs are not considered livestock. She further questioned why the Board is approving language within the LDRs that allows for this use.
Ms. Brady stated that the research facility in question is doing highly infectious heartworm disease research on dogs. This disease is spread by mosquitos and is infectious to human beings, black bears, horses, panthers and other animals that live in the Wekiva River Protection Area. Ms. Brady stated that, for the record, she objects to the Lake County Comprehensive Plan.
Ms. Annette Star Lustgarten, County Attorney, stated that staff would review the documentation that Ms. Brady has prepared regarding this issue.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS
Mr. Mike Anderson, Director of Facilities & Capital Improvements, appeared before those present and discussed various projects, current and future, within the County system. He noted that there is approximately 200,000 square feet of new construction and renovation planned during the next three (3) years. Presently under construction is a 10,000 square foot archive and record storage facility for the Clerk of Courts, which is scheduled for completion in February. A new Tourist Reception/Information Center (Welcome Center) is scheduled for completion in February and is located at the Industrial Central Park.
Mr. Anderson reviewed the proposed renovation project and stated that the old Jail will be renovated and made into administrative office facilities for use by the Sheriff's Department. Also included in the renovation project is the interior renovation of the Old Courthouse, the Property Appraiser's Office and the Tax Collector's Office.
Mr. Anderson stated that other projects being considered by the County are the construction of a new animal shelter located at the shelter's current location in Astatula, and renovation of the Agricultural Center.
UPDATE ON ROAD PROJECTS
Mr. Jim Stivender, Director of Public Services, appeared before those present and presented a brief overview of past, current, and future county road projects, as well as future Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) projects in the District 5 area. Mr. Stivender distributed a hand-out prior to the meeting listing past, current, and future projects in District 5, and the cost of said projects.
Mr. Stivender stated that the Solid Waste Management Division, and the Mosquito and Aquatic Plant Management Division are now under the direction of the Department of Public Services, at which time he briefly reviewed future plans for each of these departments.
Mr. Stivender responded to questions and comments presented by the audience.
Mr. Ross Buchanan, a resident of Altoona, appeared before those present and commented on the road project at C-42/C-439 Intersection, and the time frame for additional transfer stations regarding solid waste. He stated that he, as a taxpayer, would like to suggest that the Board consider a proposal on the ballot that would address that no tax increases shall be granted without taxpayer approval. He stated that he would like to discuss this issue with the County Attorney at another time.
Mr. Angel Mendez brought up for discussion the issue of transfer stations and the inequity between those who have an independent waste hauler service and those in the unincorporated area who dump at transfer stations for a yearly fee. He expressed his concern with the issue of disposal of debris, such as tree limbs, and suggested that dumpsters be made available for disposal of this type of debris.
Ms. Barbara Kent, owner of King Groves, appeared before those present to address the Comprehensive Plan and brought to the attention of the Board a detailed study prepared by American Farmland Trust, which addresses the heavy loss of farmland
throughout the country. She expressed her concern that King Groves has been designated as suburban on the Land Use Map and questioned why it has not been designated as agricultural. At this time, the Board and staff responded to Ms. Kent's concerns and stated that the classification for King Groves on the Land Use Map is suburban; however, the zoning classification is agricultural.
Mr. Joe Stephany, a resident of Altoona, appeared before those present and suggested that the Board consider, as a priority project, a multi purpose land information system for Lake County, which would help the Board in the decision making process.
Mr. Fred Brady appeared before the Board and stated that, for the record, the information presented before the Board by his wife, Ms. Brady, this date, has been before the Board for over two and one-half years with the exception of the most recent documentation.
There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
G. RICHARD SWARTZ, JR., CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
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JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK
MSF/10-22-92/10-26-92/BOARDMIN