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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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By d~~ ~ \::-: .., .,.- ..~-,.4"'_
~ Mayor/Chai~an
ATTEST:
DANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK
BY~C..~~..~
Deputy Cler
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