This is a reminder for the upcoming visioning and subcommittee meeting in Washington County on Tuesday, August 5th. Please note that the time will be different from our previous meetings. We will meet from 3:00-5:00 PM, with a chance to talk with the Planning Commission directly afterward.   Since a meeting was not held in July, the June summary is attached as a refresher for where each subcommittee stands.   Please pass this information along and come join the subcommittees as they continue to work!    Let me know if you have any questions or need additional information and we look forward to seeing you next Tuesday!

 

 

Washington County Visioning Meeting Summary

June 10, 2008

Subcommittees

The Subcommittees discussed progress on actions items that were previously identified as strategies for addressing issues that were prioritized through the prior SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). Note: It was recommended that we provide a list of acronyms/definitions at the next meeting for non-planners

I.    SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE

Committee Leader: Jim Town

Present were Pete Herbert, Lynda Waller, Tonya Pippin, Jim Ackerman, Scott Henderson, Peggy Fowler, Cliff White (attended the environmental subcommittee) and myself.  The initial discussion was about the allocation of subcommittee members to the 4 actions items and there were no requests for reassignments to other topics.  We then discussed each of the action items as summarized below:

• Future Land Use Map

Action Item: Designate areas where growth should occur- they started this process at the meeting by “backing out” areas where there are environmental resource or other resources that would make certain areas inappropriate for development. The County may need new categories/designations for FLUM despite the fact that the map is not due for massive changes

Future Land Use Map Study Group: Tonya Pippin*, Sherri Taylor, Cliff White, Tim Butts, Scott Henderson

Update: Lynda Waller reviewed the major topics in the ORC and updated the subcommittee on progress with the ORC responses.  Generally, WFRPC is carrying the workload to produce the necessary data and map modifications needed and Lynda is coordinating the actual written responses with the RPC.  At present, it appears that work will be completed so the ORC Response can be submitted to the Planning Commission on July 1st, and then the concurrences from the municipalities will be obtained so the final package can be approved at the BOCC July 24th meeting to be forwarded to DCA.  Additionally, Lynda advised the group:

a.  Work reconciling the existing FLUM with the new GIS mapping system is close to completion, but there are still some parcels and areas of the county where questions have arisen about actual land use when comparing tax records with the FLUM, and also there may be some parcels not yet accounted for in the total county area measured in square miles and acres.  This will require some on-going work after the GIS maps become operational.

b.  The issue of expanding the comments in the EAR about future growth through a more  definitive response in the ORC was discussed at length and Lynda was already working on expanding the response and EAR position that while BEBR data indicates little growth, the county is planning for growth as a contingent item as a matter of policy.  The ORC Response will address adding certain policy statements to the EAR and subsequently incorporating them into the Comp Plan so the county can accommodate growth without having to first submit a Comp Plan amendment.  These issues need to be addressed now to preclude DCA from approving the EAR based solely upon a BEBR projection of growth.

c.  Lynda reported that as these growth topics are addressed they should be posted to the website as part of the ORC Response so members of the subcommittee can review them.  It was pointed out by a couple of subcommittee members that WFRPC has a history in the EAR process of showing-up for approvals at the Planning Commission and BOCC without providing “read-ahead” documents before meeting dates,  which has resulted in those voting for approval, or the public, having no chance to comment at the public hearings.  Every effort will be made by the planning staff to get comments posted on the website well before public hearings if they receive the information/documents from WFRPC in advance.

There was group discussion about the concept of including growth policy statements in the EAR for inclusion ultimately into the Comp Plan, but to stay at the policy level so that actual events can drive how the implementing instructions get promulgated to the LDC and FLUM.  As a matter of policy, it may be best for the county not to designate specific areas of the county for defined uses and leave the FLUM in its present evolved state to be modified by future approved events.  This also avoids an unsolvable circumstance where if uses are specified then the Capital Investment Element of the Comp Plan must define how funding will be provided, and the county has no basis at this time to reasonably fund further capital investments.  Also, this leaves the county flexibility to implement impact fees and proportionate fair-share programs as growth actually arrives and take the position that actual growth should fund its own capital investment and not expect the existing tax payers to provide for costs incurred due to growth.  Lynda made notes of several topics for possible policy statements and will coordinate further with WFRPC prior to finalization of the ORC Response.

2.   Land Development Code (LDC)

      Action Item: Get standards tightened to control growth. This could happen partially via the ORC on the EAR, which came back from DCA on 5/12. County will do EAR changes by 4th Thursday in July to send to DCA

Land Development Code (LDC) Study Group:  Jim Ackerman*, Emory Pitts, Pete Herbert, Roger Hagan.

      Update: No actual work is required at this time until the EAR approval is received.  Lynda reported that making the implementing changes for the EAR to the LDC can be accomplished over time and should be completed by the Planning Department staff, rather than trying to complete updates as rapidly as possible.  When the approved EAR is received, a list of changes to the LDC will be prepared and draft changes presented to the Planning Commission.  This subcommittee/study group will be available to assist the Planning Department with draft review and recommendations as requested.

3.   Infrastructure

      Action Item: Obtain Preble-Rish conceptual plans for water/wastewater infrastructure. Commissioners would need to instruct staff to chase grants that could pay for a feasibility study. Note that Lynda Waller will present information about the USDA Small Communities grant to the County Commission on May 22

Infrastructure Study Group:  Chris Brunson*, Bill Howell, Linda Cook, Tamara Pezanowski

      Update: Pete and Lynda are coordinating with Preble-Rish (Angie) to have the rural development grant application ready for submission for BOCC approval at the July 24th meeting.  If the grant is approved, it will fund the preliminary study to validate need and determine the level of feasibility analysis required to apply for additional grants leading to a definitive plan subject to availability of funding.  The current grant application is for central sewer and water development and there is a separate project in the Capital Investment Element schedule for stormwater drainage.  Prior to July 24th it will be determined if the county needs to apply for two grants or can combine the initial study into 1 grant.  Funding sources for stormwater drainage are different from sewer and water systems, so they may require separate feasibility analysis and grant applications.

4.   Disconnect in Planning Process due to the fact that BEBR forecast numbers that are used for planning provide a no growth scenario for Washington County

      Action Item: Get alternatives to the BEBR numbers& determine sources of funds/services that will provide a higher projected growth rate than that of BEBR (while creating no work for Lynda). Jim T. & WFRPC are to work on this item

Non-BEBR Planning Models Study Group:  Jim Town*, Peggy Fowler, Jerry Brock, Holly Langston

     

Update: DCA responded last week, June 5th, to a written request for examples of demographics models approved and in use by other counties that do not use BEBR.  Susan Poplin, who is the Team 1 Regional Planning Administrator in DCA for Washington, Bay, Holmes, Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Escambia counties, has promised to provide examples and point of contact information shortly.  When the information is received, it will be distributed to the subcommittee for general information, and then evaluated in more detail by the Study Group to make recommendations about the next actions to implement non-BEBR growth forecasting.

II. ECONOMIC DIVERSITY AND PROSPERITY SUBCOMMITTEE

Committee Leader: Ted Everett

• The feasibility study for Elkcam Blvd. is 80% complete

Action Item: Coordinate with Jackson County, perhaps through an interlocal agreement, discuss bringing Jackson into the TRIPS project (the RTP).

Note also that since Washington County is a RACEC county, we do not have to match funding $$. Will seek to have meeting in June

Update: The feasibility study for Elkcam Blvd. is now 85% complete- however, Jackson County is concerned that it is going to cost them something; the solution is for Jackson County to join TRIPS (the appeal need to be made to Bill Stanton). There was a presentation to Jackson County that was handled by the Washington County Commission.

• Four lane widening of Highways 77 & 79

Action Item: Keep pressing FDOT to commence work on Highway 77, which is lower in priority than 79

      Alternative Action Item: Request and LOS Variance through DOT (an example is in Baker County where they have asked DOT to allow a lower LOS on I-10

      Update: The County should keep pressing FDOT for the 77 expansion by staying tuned into FDOT cycles. The roadwork is currently still 10-15 years away from being completed but things can change. There are also other push factors from DRIs and Sector Plans).

3.   Lack of water and sewer               

      Action Item:  County grant writer and municipalities work closely together or there will have to be private systems developed. County must focus on grants because we cannot afford to drop septic tanks forever. Results from a Bay County study of recharge areas along Highway 77 will also be helpful. 

      Update: Continuing education on the importance of these services is needed. County grant writer should facilitate getting grants for studies then more grant swill be needed for actual work.  Technological advances would also help- it is likely that sprayfields are not a long-term sustainable solution. The importance of water and sewer should be addressed in the Comp Plan- such as no water=no growth and poor quality of life.

Action Item: Resolve Sunny Hills/Aqua issue. Note that sprayfields can create problems but there may be another technology-based solution as technology improves

      Update: Deltona Corporation should take lead- need to get Deltona, Aqua and the Commissioners to the table to resolve- maybe RPC could facilitate/mediate

• Jobs- There is not enough public outcry for good jobs

Action Item: Have political bodies contact legislature for funding of workforce boards. Though workforce boards are currently proactive

Update: There is positive job growth projected in the next 5-9 years; 500-800 jobs. Road, water/sewer grants obtained for the industrial park will facilitate this growth since we are currently underemployed. Companies like Eco-Systems and Lewis Bear will contribute to this growth.

Working on the Enterprise Zone expansion could also help – the Ebro enterprise zone in Ebro and Vernon proper (need to trim some from Chipley?)

• Housing- Needs to be attainable, Chamber of Commerce is working with Eco-Style

Action Item: the county needs to continue to working with companies like them to get housing; also, explore Tax Credits for affordable homes through Florida Finance Commission

Update: Bring Carl Smith and Aqua to the table to discuss- have a conversation about land & water. Lots in Sunny Hills could be used for attainable housing- some are co-owned by SHIP.

Action Item: Set meeting with Commissioners (within two months) to discuss Florida Housing Finance, 1000 Friends of Florida, Jamie Ross at Florida Communities Trust, utilizing public/private partnerships on a state level. Also discuss the use of commissioners as liaisons to other counties, and set meetings for dialogue with other counties

Update: It is still a goal to use the commissioners as liaisons to other counties- no further update

III. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE

Committee Leader/Reporter: Andy Andreasen

• Getting more community involvement. While many county landowners are in stewardship programs, there are many opportunities for more to be as well as. Also, we need to direct stewardship idea toward young people because they make a difference when they tell everyone else.

Update: Ted Hoehn of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has compiled a list of programs for stewardship and resources that exist on a variety of levels. Also, by January, the FWCC is coming out with a DVD toolkit for landowners about the BMPs and ways to approach conservation of specific habitats, etc. This will be available via the internet and the county, and numerous other outlets.

A suggestion for garnering more interest in environmental aspects of development and other general environmental issues- start a grassroots local environmental interest group.  Get these people to attend the public meetings if the concern is that environmental issues do not receive the attention that they should.

• Identify other planning efforts and partner with, educate, BMPs

One idea was to initiate education programs for new residents since there are so many that move to this area from far away and they need more information on how to manage their properties instead of just relying on the landscaping companies. There may be a way to tap into the expanding Master Gardener programs

Update: It is accurate that people do not know the resources that are available- the County extension office has the most complete references and yet there need to be other methods identified such as: work with realtors to get information out to people who are new to the area or buy a new home, have information at the Library for when people sign up for library cards, put information in newspapers, at Chamber of Commerce. A single reference list of what organization or program can provide additional information about anything from stewardship/land management to where to buy native species, etc. The extension service has a lot of information about BMPs, there is a set of timber specific BMPs- the NRCS also has resources.

• The importance of buffers and ensuring that there is an understanding between new and old/existing property owners on issues of land management and land use; in the environmental realm there should be focus is on educating residential neighbors to the fact that controlled burns are necessary, for example. The suggestion is to require that people moving to a neighborhood that is adjacent to AG, Commercial, Industrial, forestry uses be required to sign a covenant agreement that states they are aware of the and understand the potential impacts of the nearby uses.     

Update: Research model code from Georgia on the aspect of how, through the land development process, all landowners can be made aware that land management does occur and is necessary- often state lands, or other conservation lands have special management needs such as prescribed burns- in addition this applies to notification of other existing neighbors with uses that may impact new residences moving into the area. (noxious odors, noises, etc. from Ag or Industry)

• Public Service issue: need to protect the springs, any number of homes could create an impact.

Action Item: Look at the Florida Springs handbook from DCA

Update: this reference is available via DCA at http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/DCP/publications/springsmanual.pdf

Also, for specific concerns about the effects of road construction or other development projects in locations proximate to springs (such as Hightower Springs just off Highway 79 which has mollusks to be protected) – can request technical assistance from the FWCC

Action Item: Need to create more amnesty days where people can legally dispose of appliances, etc.

Update: Need to meet with public works to find out the reality of getting more amnesty days approved (would this be a budget issue?)

• Need standardized policies throughout County – have a developer’s forum to get everyone on same page as far as what the regulations are and beyond regulations- such as BMPs

Update: Need to clarify the intent and action associated with these statements

• Encourage pride in resources so that others who move here will see that and also want to protect them. Pride and protection lead to the ability to promote eco-tourism and agri-tourism. There is a need for such clean industry and it can be promoted but also has to be preserved.

Action Item: Educate the general public on the value of resources – use DCA resources, water management district, the Wash-Holmes Technical center, Horticultural Agents, Master Gardeners, etc.

Update: Wayne Tharpe from the WHTC, a Horticulture instructor, was present and pledged that the WHTC will do whatever it can to aid in getting the word out about resources and also mentioned new resources such as the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association- a contact there is Mary Mott. FNGLA.org or 1-800-375-3642

Wayne also suggested that the garden clubs should be invited to participate in the visioning and let us know that the master gardener program workshops are advertised in the newspaper. 

Action Item: Sell economic development professionals/groups on Eco-Tourism- draw in the Economic Development Council and work with them in designating areas to focus development so that it is a collaborative process and so that there is political backing.

Update: Ted Hoehn from FWCC will work with the Eco-Tourism department in his office to have someone from that area of expertise attend the next visioning meeting in August.

• Action Item: Have some grant resources identified by next meeting

Update: no update on specific grants

• Need to identify which areas of the County are appropriate/inappropriate for development in order to protect vital resources- need to designate where certain uses are appropriate.

Action Item: It is critical to identify areas of critical environmental value and concern in County. For example, there are large karst areas that are not appropriate for large-scale sewer installation

Update: still a priority- but at the present time new mapping of such resources in order to designate areas appropriate for specific types of development will not be able to be included in the EAR- could still be an amendment to the Comp Plan after the EAR if any such changes are approved by the County Commission

• LDC needs to be strengthened- code needs to be updated; utilize resources that are available for free at the regional and state level such as model ordinances, because the LDC is what really governs and regulates. The state agencies such as FWC want to work with the County as closely as possible.

Update: Increasing/Strengthening the buffers is also a priority- as 50’ is not seen as enough in certain cases- Buffers must be based on type of adjacent uses – address whether or not vegetated, how thick the vegetation and how the vegetation is to be maintained (for screening purposes or water protection, etc)

New Action Item: See Georgia model code for examples of rural/ag buffers with new development. See also white paper by Kay White.

• Plan for and determine what the appropriate ROW width s to accommodate for infrastructure and other utilities. Even maintaining ditches for stormwater requires ROW. These widths need to be established by the LDC/Comp Plan and DOT likely has good figures to use.

Update: no update on this specific action

Note: Use EAR based amendments to address as much as possible as some of these were addressed in the EAR.

Other resources and people to invite:

1000 Friends of Florida (Dan Pennington)

Timber Owners

Joe Minor (Fl. Dept of Health and Washington County resident)

IV. EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND CULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE

Committee Leader:

• Access to Washington Holmes Technical Center (formerly the Vo-Tech) needs to be improved. One idea for increasing access is to create a satellite campus at the prison (WCI)- though Ted Everett noted that the Workforce Board has a public/private partnership to train prisoners on CAT machines and then they are qualified to run equipment and work in the sand pits (Talk to Richard Williams)

Update: Need to focus on increasing the public awareness of programs available at the Washington Holmes Technical Center. Note that only the Department of Corrections controls access to the inmates.

• Need for better healthcare in the south end of the County- maybe a satellite service center

Update: This is a function of government services- there is not enough funding & availability of sites is also an issue

• Look into partnering EMS & public safety (law enforcement) to lessen emergency response time (note that this was addressed in the EAR)

Update: No update

• Library and schools will be needed in Ebro as there is a potential for a lot of growth     related to the Airport relocation

Update: The Sector Plan around Ebro will hopefully largely take care of these concerns

• Need a museum or cultural center to provide historical education about the African American community- needed to create unity and inclusion with the African American community

Update: Availability of sites and funding is also an issue for museums- who would pay to run/maintain them?

• Need a cultural center and a meeting place (a unique place to hold concerts) that is separate from churches and schools. Need libraries separate from schools as well to broaden the books that are allowed to be in the library.

Update: Someone is working to identify sites (through Commission) then eventually to write grants for a cultural center- coordinate with the Sector Plan as well. Want developers to think about siting libraries with schools.

• Low cost dental care for children and retirees should be provided in the south end of the county (note that there are programs in the schools and through Smiles on Wheels)

Update: no update

• Internet access/no DSL in much of the County (AT&T reportedly needs 30-40 ppl in one area that are willing to sign up before they bring the infrastructure). Also note that Opportunity Florida is working on bringing broadband to areas in Florida.

Update: Rick Markham (Opportunity Florida) is close to getting broadband to this part of the panhandle- they are close to laying hard wire. The next action is to invite directors of the TriCounty Community Council, Health Department and PAEC to the next meeting

• Transportation/tri-County area

 

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