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Mr. Higgs continued reviewing the optional language (provided in the backup). The <br />language in Section 1 "cannot be amended unless approved" was too broad and restrictive <br />regarding the Comprehensive Plan. The five parcels he saw as a problem (Section 2). He <br />suggested having unanimous approval, and not make references to Section 163.3167 so specific, <br />and height restrictions should be included. <br />Ben Bailey, 941 Sand Fly Lane, felt Charter Government was "unnecessary." It was <br />his opinion that they are moving on a "fast track," this has far reaching effects, and it was the <br />wrong approach. He urged the Board to keep the County in its current form of government. He <br />perceived there was a small group, the Indian River Neighborhood Association (IRNA) that was <br />behind this move. He did not want any one group controlling the County, and he thought the <br />Board needed to be cognizant of that. He reported that the 19 Charter government counties in <br />Florida have some disastrous stories, and thought the Board needed to slow down. <br />Nancy Offutt, representing the Builders Association, spoke in opposition to Charter <br />Government. She realized Mr. Higgs, and the IRNA had won in recent elections and she <br />applauded them, but now she feels the County is looking at a Coup d' etat, a change in <br />government, and not just an election and new faces. She felt it was so presumptuous to think that <br />Commissions after this should have their ability and their power of judgment in the vote taken <br />away, and given to the people. In her opinion, this "Jeffersonian approach" is "hogwash" because <br />the room was not filled, as it was at the beginning of the meeting. It is far easier for a small group <br />with this specific agenda to mobilize, than it is to energize a distant majority, she said, and she <br />thinks that is what has happened. She felt it is very important that land use, which affects the <br />future of our County be determined by good planning. The IRNA has started an initiative over <br />growth issues that concerns all of us. She said the Builders Association does not want to push the <br />Urban Service Boundary; they just want the opportunity the rest of the community has enjoyed all <br />along, which is when a good project comes they can count on our representatives, with the input of <br />March 12, 2007 8 <br />Public Workshop — Charter Government <br />