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Page 1 of 1 Kimberly Massung From: William Luke [BLUKEJ@comcast.net] Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 12:33 AM To: Sandra L. Bowden Subject: URBAN SERVICE BOUNDARY PROPOSED BALLOT QUESTION Dear Commissioner Bowden, Because of the information below provided from public information and public record I feel it is absolutely necessary that the Board of County Commissioners approve this proposed ballot question for the November General Election: "Do you favor the adoption of a special act for Indian River County by the Florida Legislature to require voter approval of any amendment to the Indian River County Comprehensive Plan which expands the urban service boundary? The county spent $200,000 (not counting staff time) on a visioning process which included dozens of county -wide meetings at which the public strongly opposed the Village or New Town concept. County Commissioners voted unanimously and vocally endorsed the visioning team's recommendation to prohibit Villages or New Towns to be built outside of the Urban Service Area. However, six hours prior to a final vote and after having been heavily lobbied by eight citrus growers, four Commissioners REVERSED their position and voted to allow them. Twice, March 15 and May 24,2004, the Board of County Commission unanimously voted in support of Wheeler's approach to protect the Urban Service Area by the voter referendum. Then after heavy lobbying, three Commissioners reversed their position. We have a population of 130,000 people now in the county and can grow to approximately 300,000 people in the Urban Service Area in its present boundary. If we expand the Urban Service Area we will have hundreds of thousand more people living here creating the same type of sprawl that exists in South Florida. It is very clear from the City of Vero Beach recent election, the voters are in favor of controlled and managed growth. The 83,000 voters in Indian River County are too big in number be lobbied and/or pressured into a decission for special interest groups such as the Citrus League, realtors and the big developers. Therefore the voters, not the politicians, must have the power to approve any changes which expand the Urban Service Boundary. I strongly urge you to vote in favor of the proposed ballot question. Thank you very much, Bill Luke 2030 Club Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963 4/3/2006