Genius Said: I showed up for the 10 to 4 Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) meeting fashionably late, 11:30. It was over in 15 minutes at 11:45. Instead of State regulators coming down, it was a video conference. I only went to talk to regulators...that weren't there. bummer. Luckily Caitlin decided to blog:
Every 7 years the County, under the guidance of the State Department of Community Affairs, has to review their growth management plan (the Comprehensive Master Plan). Local, regional and state officials made their goal for the EAR process clear at this morning’s scoping meeting: manage growth sustainably. This was reflected in the agenda which was divided into Growth Management and Climate Change/Sea Level Rise.
It was encouraging to hear the County say they wanted to “densify” certain areas and promote growth in a transit-oriented way. Land-use rules in our plan state that we must be able to support 15 years of growth within the UDB, however, our current plan addresses growth until 2018, leaving a gap. We can deal with that through redevelopment and infill, as the County suggested, but this conundrum raises the question, at what point do we stop growing? Of course, no one wants to discuss this, but even non-tree huggers have to admit there simply isn’t enough water or land for us to continue unmitigated, exponential growth. Now, I wouldn’t suggest any China-inspired population control policies, but making our economy a little less growth-driven would be helpful. And this notion some have that the UDB is a whimsical suggestion needs to go.
There were a couple of farmers in attendance who came because they were worried about the future of the farming industry if not protected by the growth management plan.
County Planners must now set to work adjusting the plan so it will be palatable to the County Commissioners, who must vote on it, and State regulators, who must sign off on it.
2 comments:
I have been through about 3 previous EARs. My experience is that the people and sometimes staff pour their hearts out asking for more sensable planning. The BCC shoots them down at the final hour. Developers, on the other hand, spread their wealth with campaign contributions and rule the day. I wish this time would be different but with history as a guide, it won't be.
Anon above:
Let's hope A lot can happen between now and 2018 with the current plan about infill & redevelopment. Maybe by then,
"Term Limits," aging BCC members, and new comers elected, will make growth a difference for a much greener and declining populas
Dade.
Optimist, Riley
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