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Building height increase isn't
needed
EDITOR:
County Commissioner Dixie Spehar wants to
hire a public information officer to educate the public. Instead of
spending taxpayer money on public relations, she and the commission
should listen to the wishes and desires of its citizens.
In April, a poll was taken on the Areas of
Critical State Concern designation by Lake Research Partners Inc., a
nationally recognized public polling firm. The public voted 82 percent
in opposition to dedesignation. According to those polled, their
concerns are that roads, highways and bridges will be congested and
developers will build high-priced high-rises. This of course will start
with a change in the land plan and land development regulations to allow
for higher density and exceeding the height limit of 35 feet.
In the guise of affordable, the county has hired
a lawyer lobbyist, and an expert on hurricane evacuation. All this at
public expense and against the public interest.
The County Commission would get full support from
the public if it stopped attempting to change our present land plan and
land development regulations.
Islamorada is currently building affordable
housing without busting the height limitations.
We fought high rises in the 1980s and implemented
a 35-foot limitation that does not go beyond the tree line. Are we going
to fight this for another 20 years?
This restriction was not done for arbitrary or
capricious reasons but for good and aesthetic reasons and supports a
vision for the Keys of one of our sitting commissioners.
Let's get on with the business of building
affordable housing with full support of the public.
Fred Nickerson
Key Largo |
