Charter Review Commission Miscellaneous correspondence/
Citizen commentsJune 26, 2006
Mr. Alex Ford, Chair
Subcommittee: Protecting the Environmental Core
Charter Review Commission
Volusia County, FloridaDear Mr. Ford:
The League of Women Voters of Volusia County (LWVVC) would like to respond to the proposed amendments to the Volusia County Charter that have come from the Protecting the Environmental Core subcommittee. Our comments are based on our organization’s natural resources position statements, which are the result of study and member consensus.
First of all, we would like to comment on the proposed amendment, 202.3 Comprehensive Planning. Two provisions in the proposed amendment concern the LWVVC. In the first section of the proposed amendment, the description of the planning districts that will be accorded county protection sounds certain and comprehensive. However, this section ends with the statement that “The County Council by ordinance may reduce the boundaries of these planning districts.” In other words, this proposed amendment provides for the county to reduce by ordinance the size of protected lands. The focus of this statement appears to be on the needs generated by growth (which can all too quickly develop beyond control), not on the protection of natural areas. We conclude, therefore, that without meaningful limitation, such a stance is contrary to the LWV-Florida support for the protection and wise management of natural resources in the public interest.
We would also point out that the County Council “Smart Growth Report” emphasizes the importance of “early identification and protection of environmentally important areas.” It states further that once identified, these are areas where development and the damages of development should be avoided. However, this wise and cautionary advice contained in the “Smart Growth Report” is not reflected in this portion of the proposed amendment.
The second section of proposed amendment 202.3 also concerns the League of Women Voters. It states:
The county comprehensive plan shall prevail over conflicting municipal plan or ordinance provisions within the planning districts for lands included within respective annexations until: (1) the later of ten years from after this section or an annexation becomes effective;
While our organization believes that the responsibility for natural resources should be shared by all levels of government, we do not believe that this provision meets the League of Women Voters’ touchstone that calls for resource conservation, stewardship, and long-range planning. A ten-year limitation hardly adheres to the criteria for long-range conservation and stewardship.
In regards to the elimination of county charter 202.3, the Volusia Growth Management Commission (VGMC), we observed at the workshop on June 8 with the Arrington-Marlowe consulting firm that the County Council voted unanimously for the elimination of the VGMC. Furthermore, one of the “Smart Growth Report” keystone recommendations calls for the elimination of the county charter provision for the VGMC, citing that it is “unsuited” as a decision-maker because of its “composition and structure.” In our role as LWVVC observers of the CRC process, we have also heard in meetings of both the Structure of Government subcommittee and the Integrating Economic Development and Education subcommittee, that while the VGMC may currently be ineffective, it is not wise to disband it altogether, especially during this period of accelerated growth. We are also relunctant to lose this local conduit to the state Department of Community Affairs.
Given the general view of the VGMC, it seems that the proposed amendment, Sec. 13xx, establishing the Volusia Growth Management Dispute Resolution Commission, has merit. It is essentially the same recommendation found in the “Smart Growth Report” for replacing the VGMC. The League of Women Voters supports public policies that provide for the cooperative, coordinate planning for and decision about land use in Florida, including methods for resolution of conflicts. However, a commission that can only provide a “voluntary non-binding dispute resolution process for local government planning conflicts” lacks the authority to achieve its purpose. Our organization will, therefore, observe the process of this newly created charter commission, assuming the proposed amendment passes, to determine how effectively it achieves its worthwhile purpose.
In conclusion, the League of Women Voters of Volusia County would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the CRC for their knowledgeable contributions and selfless dedication to the charter review process. As you have grappled with the issues and sought information about the technicalities and particulars of your subcommittee’s assigned task, you have gained our admiration and appreciation. We may not agree with all your decisions and recommendations, but you can be sure that we appreciate your exemplary service to our county.
Sincerely,
Judy Moore, Presidentback to miscellaneous correspondence
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