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Resolution 617-1992 Commissioner Earl Cheal RESOLUTION NO. 617 -l992 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF CO~ COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THAT THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS: EXTEND THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR MONROE COUNTY TO COMPLETE ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY SIX MONTHS; REQUIRE THE SOUTH FLORIDA PLANNING COUNCIL AND OTHER STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES TO CONDUCT A HURRICANE EVACUATION ANALYSIS FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST FLORIDA; COMMIT REVENUE FOR LAND PURCHASES IN THE KEYS AND ASSIST IN OBTAINING FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SUCH PURCHASES; PROVIDE CERTAIN OTHER ASSISTANCE; AND IMPOSE NO SANCTIONS AGAINST MONROE COUNTY. ~ ~.v l'1 '-- = f'..,~ v, iTJ ~-:J ".'j ,,~ , c" .._.1 ,::) ~,. WHEREAS, Monroe County now realizes that development of a comprehensive plan which complies with FS 163, FS 380, FAC 9J-5 than was originally realized, and and the Stipulated Settlement Agreement was a much greater task WHEREAS, Monroe County has vigorously pursued the complete the plan on time, and comprehensive planning process with good faith intending to comprehensive plan in place as soon as possible, and WHEREAS, Monroe County realizes the importance of having a WHEREAS, the destruction by Hurricane Andrew has caused Monroe County to realize the possible serious impacts of a future human behavioral study to determine changes in hurricane on residents and visitors, and the need for an updated participation, which will establish the need to run evacuation models to assess evacuation rates, and therefore the new need to adjust future development accordingly. evacuation Monroe County further recognizes the need for a regional study of hurricane evacuation capabilities and clearance times, and an assessment of those impacts on the safety of Monroe County residents and visitors, and WHEREAS, the experience of Hurricane Andrew verified the previous statements of the limitations of hurricane forecasting and warnings. According to the National Weather service, a twelve to sixteen hour clearance time is not ideal but is still fairly acceptable, and WHEREAS, existing data shows that 36 hours are required to evacuate the present population of the Florida Keys in the event of a major hurricane, therefore the lives of thousands of people are endangered at this time, and WHEREAS, Monroe County recognizes that existing studies do not fully address the economic impacts of the proposed plan as required by law and the stipulated settlement agreement, and is critical for the execution of the plan, and is not in the best interests of the residents of Monroe County, the State of Florida or future generations who will bear the impacts of this important decision making process, and WHEREAS, Monroe County on June 23, 1992 adopted Ordinance No. l6-1992 which restricts the rate of growth for residential dwelling units to not more than 255 units per year based on the provisions of the current Land Use Plan, and WHEREAS, recently there has been a reduced demand for new commercial development apparently due to economic conditions and the oversupply of vacant commercial properties, and 2 WHEREAS, Monroe County is known as a recreation area for the State of Florida and the United States of America, and WHEREAS, Monroe County recognizes the importance of being able to assure visitors of a safe evacuation before a hurricane strikes. Visitors who do not feel they have a chance of evacuation may be absent during the hurricane season. This would cause a severe economic impact on the Keys tourist industry, and WHEREAS, Monroe County recognizes that the tremendous financial burden of implementing the proposed plan could not be borne solely by the citizens of Monroe County and that there has been no clear commitment on behalf of the State of Florida or the Federal government to provide the financial assistance to insure the plan could be implemented, now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY FLORIDA THAT: Monroe County respectfully requests the State of Florida take the following actions: 1. Grant an extension of approximately six months to complete the Comprehensive Plan during which time Monroe County must be able to complete a human behavioral analysis on hurricane evacuation response, rerun the evacuation models to evaluate the evacuation time for Florida Keys residents and visitors, and evaluate the evacuation constraints of South East Florida on residents and visitors of the Florida Keys. 2. Immediately require the South Florida Planning Council in coordination with the Department of Community Affairs, Federal Emergency Management Agency and local governments conduct an hurricane evacuation analysis of all of South East Florida to serve as a basis for Monroe County's analysis. 3 3. Commit an ongoing revenue stream to the Florida Keys for the purchase of property to support lower development expectations and to offset ad valorem taxes lost from the purchase of those properties. 4. Assist Monroe County in requesting the federal government make additional land purchases in a coordinated attempt to protect the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and other land side endangered and protected flora and fauna. 5. Provide technical assistance in completing an economic analysis of the comprehensive plan impacts on Monroe County. 6. Continue to assist Monroe County and the Cities of Key West, Key Colony Beach and Layton in reaching agreements regarding the development limitations based on hurricane evacuation constraints. 7. And, do not exercise powers of sanctions against the residents of Monroe County. This request is made in a sincere effort to work with the State of Florida to develop a plan which will be in compliance with the law, will protect the safety of Monroe County residents, will protect the environment and will not devastate the economy of the Florida Keys. We recognize that this has been a protracted process however, the Florida Keys is an area unlike any other and we must deal with complex issues which go well beyond those experienced in other areas. We ask for patience and assistance from the State of Florida. 4 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 9 th day of December , 1992. Mayor London No Mayor Pro Tem Cheal Yes Commissioner Harvey Yes Commissioner Freeman No Commissioner Reich Yes (Seal) BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MO(1 C9UNTY, FLORIDA ~---' ,~ _=4-:....0''"'' ""- By d~~ ~ \::-: .., .,.- ..~-,.4"'_ ~ Mayor/Chai~an ATTEST: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK BY~C..~~..~ Deputy Cler C~:.J 5