The future growth of Lee County should be vision oriented, not rules oriented.

Smart Growth is inclusive and collaborative, and brings diverse people to the table with diverse views, in an effort to develop consensus on how we achieve our vision and mutually beneficial outcomes.

One of the basic principals of Smart Growth is the involvement of the community in growth management decisions and in the visioning process to define our future. To this end, education and input will be very important.

Smart Growth will require Lee County government leadership and its collaboration with businesses, citizens, and other governmental entities.

Community and/or sector planning will be an essential element of Lee County's visioning of future growth patterns.

To achieve economic health and community health, the environment, transportation, jobs, and housing must be interrelated.

Smart Growth includes developments that are pedestrian-friendly, clean, safe, convenient, and environmentally sound.

Smart Growth should define and address sprawl and density issues in Lee County.

Smart Growth emphasizes in-fill of existing urban areas, redevelopment of existing urban areas, and managed expansion of our urban boundaries. Urban centers and neighborhoods are integral components of a healthy regional economy.

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Smart Growth Taskforce The hope this holds for me is . . .

To create a vision for "Smart Growth" that will continue to grow, yet will preserve the quality of life. Vision. Goals. Objectives. Process.

Protection.

1. Identify a process to create an approach to define in a better way the balance for growth that will occur and how communities can segue their local roles with identified common elements and instigate the opportunity for their originality. 2. Find ways to better communicate to the public growth and sustainability and what and how it is happening.

I think there is an important point to address that we need to consider that the purpose we are here is that Lee County has an amenity that attracts people. As a result, people and businesses are coming here quickly. This growth has the potential to diminish that amenity. How do we facilitate that growth while maintaining the amenities? At the same time, how do we maintain the amenity without being exclusive? My hope is that we will increase the ability of growth and life to live more resources efficiently, increase the use of developed land, reduce and avoid further externalities such as congestion, pollution, crime, etc. We may also consider how to increase diversity (but this is not Smart Growth per se, but is more one part of my idea for it).

Our next round of development adds to our community’s livability, rather than subtracts from the desirability to stay a resident.

Consensus visions for Lee County and process for engaging the entire community in achieving it. This defines better FPL’s role in helping achieve the community’s vision.

Once we agree on the common elements and unique characteristics of Smart Growth in southwest Florida: To create a model tool, technique or process that can be used on both a community and regional scale that will bring substantial, meaningful, diverse and balanced community input to the comprehensive planning process. Define the essential elements that are needed. The result will be a clearer and stronger vision of the future of southwest Florida that is based on a foundation of reliable information and thorough analysis, best planning practices, and public involvement.

That we can identify in Lee County the ways growth can continue, the areas where and reasons why growth cannot occur and a factual basis for whatever "process" or growth "pluses" and "minuses" we develop.

The result will be that the community will regain confidence that comprehensive planning can be creative, anticipatory, effective, and creates incentives that stimulate community pride, and improvement of environmental, social and economic well being of each citizen, through "fresh" innovative approaches that lead to nurturing a sustainable Lee County.

To participate and contribute to the responsible economic growth for the southwest Florida area; to communicate with all concerned and involved parties at the table and learn from each others’ view points; to come to a consensus that will be beneficial to all citizens of this wonderful area we call southwest Florida; and to utilize each individuals’ skills and expertise in the area.

Smart Growth recognizes connections between development and quality of life. It leverages new growth to improve the county. In general, smart growth invests time, attention, and resources in restoring community and vitality to center cities, older suburbs and even undeveloped areas of the county. Briefly, smart growth is more community centered, is transit, and pedestrian oriented, and has a greater mix of housing, commercial and retail uses. It also preserves open space and many other environmental amenities and endeavors.

That we develop a participative public/private process that can better define growth issues, identify opportunities and solve problems in a proactive, creative, and objective way.

That incremental economic growth within the geographic area will result in significant business diversification for the community to prosper long term, it is essential that community welcome and support an influx of people who can support professional, technical, trade and service industry growth.

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