2/17/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r FEB 17 19q? BOOK 88 F�! UF. 869 places to develop and for new businesses to enter in the state of Florida. one of the main concerns in Martin County is a lack of jobs for young people. The layers of bureaucracy in Florida make it difficult for us to compete with other southeastern states. Lack of growth results in a narrowing of the tax base and private home owners have to pay higher taxes. Mr. Dehan felt that local government and volunteer groups can handle regional problems. He disagreed with Mr. Carey that the TCRPC was responsible for the revitalization of downtown Stuart. He recalled that the Economic Council, a group of volunteers, sponsored a two-day seminar that resulted in Stuart's downtown revitalization, and the Affordable Housing Study came out of a growth management plan which was also developed by a volunteer group. Linda McCann spoke on behalf of the Martin County Agricultural League, which represents 60,000 acres of agricultural property in Martin County and also has many members from St. Lucie and Indian River Counties. In 1989, Martin County's comprehensive plan was being drafted. The TCRPC was the only regional planning council in Florida that required 25 percent of agricultural property to be set aside for uplands habitat preservation. Every other region in the state permitted agricultural land to be cleared and used to its full potential, so representatives of the Martin County Agricultural League appeared before the Martin County Commission to oppose the requirement. In June 1989, the 25 percent requirement was dropped from the comprehensive plan, which resulted in Martin County being not in compliance with the regional plan. Numerous meetings entailing many of hours of discussion were held over a 16 - month period. Citizens groups, mostly from Palm Beach County, spoke in opposition to dropping the requirement. Martin County was not willing to jeopardize its entire comprehensive plan, so a requirement was again imposed for habitat preservation on agricultural properties. This was stricter than the provisions that were eventually adopted in Indian River and St. Lucie Counties. Ms. McCann felt that regulations should be consistent throughout the state, because Martin County farmers are now at a competitive disadvantage. Another objection she had was that regional planning councils do not simply determine how development will affect adjacent counties. They actually get into the details of site planning, which she felt was inappropriate. She concluded that the Martin County Agricultural League is in favor of mailing the proposed letter. 6 o s �