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M M M There is a certain point in urban population growth where taxes cannot support the quality of life even though ironically small town commissioners often pursue population growth to increase the tax base. LA just went broke and New York long before. Where do we hold the line on population growth? When Vero Beach reaches 10 murders per year (the current St. Lucie County murder rate)? Do we hold population growth when our taxes must increase by 25% to support new overburdened roads, land fills, water treatment and protection of local natural resources from increased public use. At what point is it too late to manage population growth? Before, or after, approval of the Hammock Lakes Subdivision? When I built my present house on 1st Street SW in 1988 the smallest lot for home development was on 2.1 acres. There were several viable citrus groves east of us raising that best of all possible fruits "Indian River Citrus". One was the oldest in Indian River County. Now they are nearly all up for sale or sold for housing development. The Hammock Lakes Subdivision will place 206 lots on 68 acres or 3 per acre if evenly spread. That will be about 412 new people across the street from my family and directly adjacent to the Lateral B and South Relief Canals. What does this mean? It means, of course increased human population growth, more road use, more service needs from the county. But it also means more freshwater runoff, more pesticides and herbicides, heavy metals and PCB's that are associated with Florida residential environments. Florida leads the country in pesticide use, not due to agricultural use, but due to residential use. All one has to do is watch the water flow off a home roof to see how water runoff would be increased. This water would normally land on flat Florida ground and eventually enter the water table. The Hammock Lakes Subdivision is going to increase runoff into the Lateral B and South Relief Canal less than eight miles from the Indian River Lagoon, the richest estuary in the United States. This subdivision will increase water pollutants flowing into the lagoon, subsequently enhancing a measured decline in the viability of a great local natural resource and national treasure. The population densities of the Hammock Lakes Subdivision are higher than that of any development along this region of 58th avenue. These people will significantly increase traffic on 1st Street SW, 58th and 43rd avenues. If similar population densities are allowed throughout this region of Indian River County I can confidently predict higher road maintenance costs, needed improvements in water and sewerage services, larger schools, more teachers, fewer natural resources, declines in water and air quality and an increase in the local crime rate. Subsequently, there will have to be an increase in local taxes. I am not trying to be an exclusionist by making these statements. I am just stating what has been observed in one Florida county after another with rapid growth and high population densities. Taste the water in these counties. Leave your door unlocked in these counties. Why was Vero Beach different? What is the magic population number for a quality human environment? This Commission has the future and the quality of life for the citizens of Indian River County in its hands through the approval or denial of population density impacts and land use zoning associated with proposed developments such as the Hammock Lakes Subdivision. You may hold this elected office for a only few years, but the decisions you make today regarding zoning will directly influence the future of Indian River County for decades. Once made, decisions on zoning associated with immediate development are typically irreversible decisions. I know what I want as a citizen of your county. I want my wife and children to be safe. Furthermore, I want them to enjoy our beautiful natural setting. Sarasota Bay died last week, Florida Bay last year. When will the Indian River Lagoon die? Will you be the Board of Commissioners responsible for its death? SEPTEMBER 26, 1995 25 5001 96 MIE230