This hearing is historic, because during Jeb Bush's Governorship, there was little support given to the DCA. The next step was rarely taken (if ever)...the needed step of enforcement.
I have often explained the role of the (DCA) Department of Community Affairs in Growth Management in Florida. Mike McDaniel, Chief of the Office of Comprehensive Planning at DCA, put a face on that Department for me at yesterday's Administrative Hearing in downtown Miami.
McDaniel is passionate about what he does, committed to do the right thing for us citizens. I liked him immediately. He rattled off numbers of goals, objectives and policies of the County's Comprehensive Plan (WHICH THE COUNTY WROTE AND THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVED) and how the County Commission violated the Plan's goals, objectives and policies in voting to move the Urban Development Boundary for the Lowe Big Box Store near the Everglades and the Brown application for some office park (even closer to the Everglades) in an agricultural zone. (Hit read more)
Mike believed everything he said, that the contents of each and every Comprehensive Plan serves as a roadmap to help Florida grow rationally. If Cities and Counties don't follow their plans (they do so badly for the most part), trust me, it could even get worse in Florida with growth gone wild. This hearing is historic, because during Jeb Bush's Governorship, there was little support given to the DCA. The next step was rarely taken (if ever)...the needed step of enforcement.
I believed McDaniel and I believe his motives are genuine and pure and I can't stress how important I believe these Comprehensive Plans are (if enforced).
McDaniel was the most credible witness for the future of a sustainable Florida and I trust him with our future, as a watchdog for us. I was surprised the opposing attorneys didn't throw up their hands yesterday and say: "You're right, Mike. We give up." I guess my optimism is why the State Legislature has it in for the DCA and would like to dismantle the Department.
2 comments:
The county wrote it and approved it. They just won't follow it. That is par for the course.
The county is like a 14 headed Hydra. 15 heads, if you throw in the county attorney.... they can't follow anything (imagine a walking wad of cooked spaghetti)... and if you lop off heads, they grow back. Damn.
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