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DCA chief: Keys must keep deal
By
Alyson Matley
amatley@keynoter.com
Posted-Friday, September 30, 2005 7:01
PM EDT
Nelson
comments about lot sizes concern Cohen
The
Florida Department of Community Affairs may not look kindly on
reworking an agreement with Keys officials that has taken well
over a year to finalize.
Wednesday, Monroe County Commissioner
Murray Nelson proposed changing some language in the agreement
between the county and DCA so that buildable lots don't get
bundled into protected acreage.
DCA Secretary Thaddeus Cohen isn't happy.
The
deal with the state was pulled together in 2004, though a legal
challenge by two environmental groups held it up until July.
It
commits the county to invest some $140 million in sewer projects
and land acquisition. In return, DCA agreed to provide
additional building permits as well as reinstate past permits
the county lost because it was not complying with state mandates
to protect the Keys environment.
At
issue is a provision in the agreement that does not allow most
roads to count as breaks in vegetation. Nelson says that without
allowing roads to be considered breaks, otherwise buildable lots
might be designated as unbuildable if they are across the street
from large undeveloped expanses.
"Commissioner Nelson and I did speak regarding his concerns,"
Cohen said from Tallahassee Friday. "While I understand those
concerns, the department has not agreed to any of these proposed
changes. The Department of Community Affairs will look at the
maps to ensure we are avoiding any unintended consequences
related to habitat protection issues. However, it is critical
that the consensus formed and agreement made before the Florida
Cabinet are kept intact to ensure all parties carry forward with
the previous commitments made to Florida's leadership and
residents."
"What we're trying to do is protect lands of one acre of more,"
Nelson told the County Commission. "We also want to be sure the
money we have available buys the biggest parcels, not the
smallest."
Commissioner David Rice suggested holding
off on any changes.
"I
understand the issue but I also understand what's at stake,"
Rice said. "My real concern is, What do we look like going back
to Tallahassee less than a month later and saying, Folks we want
to change that?"
Growth Management Director Tim McGarry suggested any changes be
delayed until new county maps are prepared that show the level
of protection on every lot in the Keys.
"If we do it that way, we don't look like
we're reneging up front on the process," he said.
Commissioner George Neugent was in
Tallahassee Friday and said Nelson's suggestion was not
well-received. He said he met with Cabinet aides and said they
were "shocked and appalled.
"They told me that, among the Cabinet and
governor's staff, Monroe County has lost all credibility,"
Neugent said. |
