pinion Letter to the Editor: Robinson Farms Decision Based on Semantics

Dear Editor,

I just reviewed the video of the March 24, 2015 Florida Cabinet Meeting in which Manatee County and Robinson Farms requested that the Governor and his Cabinet override DOAH Judge Bram D. E. Canter’s decision that has prevented Neal Communities from developing land which is in the Coastal Evacuation Area and the Coastal High Hazard Area adjacent to the Palma Sola Botanical Park.

The original law suit was filed by Katie Pierola and Greg Geraldson because the Manatee County Comprehensive Plan restricts “increasing the density” in those areas.

Robinson and the County argued that the Comprehensive Plan refers to “sites” and not just the “site” in question, Robinson Farms. The actual wording in the Comprehensive Plan is, “Prohibit any amendment to the Future Land Use Map which would result in an increase in allowable residential density on sites within the Coastal Evacuation Area.”

Robinson and the County further stated that over 500 acres of land in the questioned area of NW Bradenton had been converted to a preserve (Robinson Preserve) so that actually reduced the density in that area which resulted in a net density decrease.

So, their whole argument was based on semantics, site or sites, which is clearly irrelevant when considering the purpose of this section of the Comprehensive Plan.

It was not explained to the Administration Commission that the whole purpose of Comprehensive Plan Policy 2.2.2.4 and 2.2.2.5 is, in part, “To limit population in the Coastal High Hazard Area Overlay District” and “To limit the amount of infrastructure, both private and public, within the CHHA Overlay District and thereby limit the magnitude of public loss and involvement in mitigating for loss of private infrastructure to Manatee County residents.”

Instead, only evacuation routes and evacuation shelters in the event or a hurricane were discussed. The Commission rightly agreed that the addition of eighteen additional houses would not have a significant impact on evacuation or on available space in shelters.

Had the Commission been told the full story they might have made a different decision. But only one member, Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer, seemed interested in probing for more information which he did not receive.

The video may be viewed at http://thefloridachannel.org/videos/32415-florida-cabinet-meeting. Start at 1hr 41 min. The whole segment is just over an hour long and is a real lesson in present Florida state politics.

Sincerely,

Edward Goff
Bradenton