Smart Growth Lee

Draft Minutes

SMART GROWTH MINUTES

March 16, 2005 Meeting

I          Call To Order, Introductions, Review of Agenda

Dennis Gilkey opened the meeting of the Lee County Smart Growth Advisory Committee at 6:08 p.m., in the First Floor Meeting Room of the Lee County Administration Building.

The following Members were in attendance:

Ms. Ellen Lindblad

Mr. O. Lee Ford

Ms. Jill Tyrer

Dr. Elinor Scricca

Mr. Ron Hamel

Mr. Bill Hammond (Arrived at 6:22 p.m.)

Mr. Jack Eikenberg

Mr. Don Eslick

Mr. Steve Maxwell (Arrived at 6:22 p.m.& departed at 8:10 p.m.)

The following committee members were excused absent:

Commissioner Bob Janes

Mr. Neal Noethlich

Mrs. Carie Obenchain

Mr. Rob Fowler

The following staff were in attendance:

Wayne Daltry, Director Smart Growth

Tim Jones, County Attorney

Lucy Crook, Recording Secretary

Karen Hawes, Director Lee County Human Services

II         Administrative Matters

            A. Approve Minutes of February 16, 2005

Action Needed: Accept and Approve the minutes as amended by discussion of the members.

MOTION: Dennis Gilkey entertained a motion to accept and approve the February 16, 2005 minutes. Brian Griffin made a motion to accept the minutes as written.

Discussion: Ron Hamel asked to correct his name from Rob to Ron. Ellen Lindblad said her name has no “y.” Rudy Marian said there is no “o” in Marian. Seconded by Jack Eikenberg. The motion carried unanimously.

III    Presentation

        A. Lee County Needs Population, and GIS, (Karen Hawes, Director Lee County Human Service)

Ms. Hawes noted that as a result of Smart Growth’s Community Character recommendations, a Human Services Council was formed. Ms. Hawes then provided an overview and status of Human Services draft recommendations, attached. This presentation explained How to Define Human Services in its Approach to Delivery of Service in the Community. (The recommendations have not been reviewed by the Human Services Council.) She also noted that the Department of Human Services is moving into a GIS system and part of their mission in leadership is identifying services in the community. (Bill Hammond and Steve Maxwell arrived at 6:22 p.m.)

Discussion continued with workforce and affordable housing. Ms. Hawes said that HSC does not support agencies in the housing business. (Ron Hamel left room at 7:15 p.m.-Returned at 7:20 p.m.) It was agreed to interface with the Human Service Council members at a upcoming Smart Growth meeting after the HSC Advisory Council recommendations have been completed. (Break at 7:20 p.m. – Returned at 7:35 p.m.)

IV     Tabled Items – (Wayne Daltry)

         A. Workforce Housing. A recap of the tabled items from the original recommendations.

BoCC Tabled Item 3., “To increase affordable/accessible housing, the BoCC should explore through the plan review and permitting process, a greater mix of workforce/affordable/accessible housing within approved developments.”

Tabled Item 4, “Change the development regulations to ensure an increased mixed use development pattern that requires integration of affordable housing. Do not allow options for not providing this affordable housing on site.” Mr. Daltry noted that BoCC received a presentation last month about what the Affordable Housing Committee and Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Task Force are doing. Funds will be (as Smart Growth recommended) used in a selection in May based on RFQ’s of prototype’s on community-based issues for housing. He also said Smart Growth still has the opportunity to make more recommendations to BoCC.

Discussion continued on some of the following topics; developer incentives, affordable housing not a priority by county leadership, the difficulty of applying mixed-use housing in wealthy developments, looking at other governments with the same scenario of Lee County and Lee County’s top five employers needs more participation in affordable housing. Ms. Lindblad suggested revamping affordable income areas instead of building new communities. Mr. Ford said the developers making the impacts should be made responsible. Attorney Jones said governments historically do development first, and infrastructure follows. Vacant, urbanized lands are being developed at the lower existing density. He said the numbers show we do not have the capacity left in the Comprehensive Plan to meet the population growth unless DRGR and rural areas are developed. If we do not require minimum density, Smart Growth will not happen. Mr. Eslick suggested holding off building until infrastructure is complete. Mr. Griffin asked that this subject be a separate agenda item for the next meeting. Mr. Daltry responded that before next meeting he will have links to websites to educate the committee what other jurisdictions are doing, and this will be the greater part of next month’s meeting. Mr. Gilkey mentioned an upcoming affordable housing forum and will forward registration information to committee members. (Steve Maxwell departed at 8:10 p.m.)

V         Other Business

A.                 Presentation of issues by Leo Cooper - Not present

B.                 Members identify those issues that may not have been addressed to date.

            Action Needed: Issues to be forwarded to the next meeting.

C.                 Progress on various projects, verbal, (Wayne Daltry)

School Board – Mr. Daltry is moving Smart Growth’s recommendations forth while serving on one of the School Board’s Planning Committees. He continues to work with School Board staff on implementing operational recommendations to find additional funding sources in the public education system.

Environmental Issues – Board is becoming activists on environmental issues such as water quality goals.

Metropolitan Planning Organizations – Are being reviewed by BoCC at the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meetings. Several Recommendation Fronts are on the move in addition to the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR.)

Discussion continued when Rudy Marian suggested that all new developments incorporate sidewalks. (*Dan Moser, a member of the public, made comments with regard to new housing developments.) Mr. Hammond discussed the mitigation plan of a similar county to Lee, explaining their comprehensive mapping that sets up biological areas and density development.

VI        Public Comment – *Dan Moser offered to bring to the next meeting what the requirements are for sidewalks and where the short-comings are with new building and infrastructure.

VII      Set next meeting date (April 20, 2005).

Jack Eikenberg made a motion to adjourn. Rudy Marian seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:

Lucy Crook

County Administration