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-I BOOK 96 P1229 Planning Director Stan Boling explained a graphic of the project located east of 15th Avenue (Kings Highway) and bounded on the north, west and south by canals. The Planning & zoning Commission voted 5-1 to recommend approval of the project. The Chairman opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to be heard in this matter. Richard Grant Gilmore, Jr., 5920 1st Street SW, read a letter dated September 25, 1995: 25 September 1995 Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida 1840 25th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 RE: Proposed Hammock Lakes Subdivision, southeast corner of 1st Street SW and 58th Avenue, Lateral B Canal. Dear Commissioner: My name is Richard Grant Gilmore, Jr. My present address is 5920 1st Street SW, Vero Beach, Florida 32968. My home resides on 2.0 acres, less 0.1 of an acre sold to the county several years ago in order to allow paving of 1st St/ SW. I live @ 740 feet from the proposed high density Hammock Lakes Subdivision. I have resided in Indian River County since 1972, the state of Florida since 1952. I am a professional research scientist and aquatic ecologist with a Ph.D. degree in biological sciences and have been in the employment of the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution for the past 24 years. I have also served on Indian River County, St. Lucie County and the City of Vero Beach planning and advisory committees. During this same time period I have studied the natural resources of this state, raised two sons and became involved in local and state social, political and educational issues. For this reason I feel qualified to make certain educated remarks on local human population growth, such as that proposed by the Hammock Lakes Subdivision, and its influence on my quality of living and those currently living in Indian River County. I feel that the proposed high population density of the Hammock Lakes Subdivision will lower the quality of life in Indian River County, and more specifically, my immediate home environment. There are several major factors which most people would consider qualities needed to enjoy a comfortable life. High quality water, food, medical care, and sanitary services may top the list. Quality education and freedom from crime may also be considered high on the list, particularly when supported by a low to moderate tax burden. If you add to this subtropical weather, beautiful and plentiful natural resources you may have an idealized setting. Vero Beach offered all of these factors to me and my family over the past 24 years. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, St. Petersburg/ Tampa, and even my home town Sarasota would not have. Why? Simply, they contained too many people. The human " population of Florida grew from 3 to 14 million from 1950 to present, a short forty three-year period. That is one Trillion new Florida residents every four years. When complete the Hammock Lakes Subdivision will place over 400 people within a half mile of my home. SEPTEMBER 26, 1995 24