PROTECTING PROPERTY RIGHTS AND VALUES

Establishing and maintaining suitable zoning is essential to the protection of residential property values.  The Association has been involved from our earliest days assisting Monroe County in planning, zoning, and rezoning for Big Pine and No Name Keys.  The Monroe County Comprehensive Plan (2020) reflects many of these same activities.  We helped Monroe County develop the original Big Pine Plan as well as contributed to the overall Monroe County Comprehensive Plan.  We continue active participation in and oversight of County interpretation and enforcement of the resulting legislation.

·          Batching Plant for gravel and concrete mixing materials relocated from US-1.  (1968,1982)

·          Commercial fishing bases concentrated in zoned Fishing Villages.

·          Zoning at Ocean Bluff altered to prevent condominium development.  As a result, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was able to purchase very desirable habitat there.

·          City Electric equipment relocated from County road site to cemetery property.

·          Aquatic Reserve designation achieved for Coupon Bight.

·          Helped maintain reasonable density of one single family dwelling per acre within Pine Key Acres.

·          A Restricted-blasting ordinance was enacted for Monroe County.  Blasting must meet noise standards and be monitored by a County official.  In addition, we joined in developing noise controls for our residential areas.

·          Unfair electric rates were a real threat to local residents until we helped lobby the Board of County Commissioners to avoid “differential” rates.  These would have increased costs for residents at the greatest distance from City Electric System of Key West.

·          Maintenance for canal |waters has been an area of ongoing endeavor.

·          Low development density  We have worked successfully to secure funds for the purchase of land by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  One example is the Kyle Project.  Our analysis of this matter led to acquisition of valuable wetlands.

·          Legal fund  The Association maintains funds for zoning intervention when needed to preserve a residential quality of life on Big Pine Key and No Name Key.

·          Business rentals  Our Association lobbied the Board of County Commissioners to legislate the ban on vacation rentals in I.S. subdivisions.

·          Maintenance of roads and parks  We have intervened to assure appropriate road layout in residential areas.  We also have secured development of bike paths on U.S.1 and Key Deer Blvd. 

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

We live in a semi-rural community.  A healthy land, air, and sea environment is necessary to our personal happiness as well as to the survival of the Key deer and other endangered species.

·          Animal Shelter for Big Pine Key  We have been instrumental in obtaining the shelter and necessary staff to control free roaming dogs.  We work cooperatively with the Key Deer Protection Alliance for the benefit of the Key deer.

·          Speed reduction  We have supported enforcement of restricted speeds on Big Pine Key and No Name Key to protect both residents and Key deer.

·          Traffic  We assisted in a detailed study of traffic flow and traffic problems to develop a realistic traffic policy as a major element of the Big Pine Key Plan.

·          Beautification of U.S.-1  Donations from Big Piners supported planting of ornamental trees in the Big Pine area.

·          Island cleanup  Members have joined with local citizens to remove trash from our roadsides.

·          Shoreline cleanup  We have officially adopted a two mile segment of shoreline along U.S.-1 west of Big Pine Key and have already removed several tons of trash over the years.

·          Big Pine Key Shopping Center  We participated actively in the planning and design of the Center to assure compliance with environmental and community standards.

·          Artificial Reef  We assisted in locating suitable reef development locations.

·          Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary  We supported the designation of the Sanctuary and continue to lobby for the improvement and implementation of the Sanctuary Plan.

·          Oil Drilling  We continue to oppose and lobby against oil drilling in the Keys.

·          Borrow pit mining  We intervened to assure proper control of excavations, for example, in Pine Channel Estates.

EFFECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Civic Association assumes the responsibility of overseeing and advising Monroe County government to make sure members’ needs are recognized.  Association members are regular participants in public hearings which affect our quality of life and we work to maintain good relationships with State and County officials.  Our meetings provide a forum at which governmental and other speakers can communicate with residents.  Our Newsletter serves to communicate with members and the public, including the media, who are encouraged to reproduce items of interest to their audiences.

·          Candidates Night  We originated this forum at which candidates are invited to define their policies and answer questions of concern to the local public.

·          Florida Keys Citizens Coalition  We have been members from the beginning.  This has enabled us to join with other residents’ groups to formulate desirable policies for Monroe County as a whole.  The Coalition has been especially vigilant regarding population density, rate of growth, and environmental carrying capacity.

·          Crime Watch assists residents in maintaining surveillance over their neighborhoods in order to deter crime.  It was started by our Association in the period of 1980-1984.

·          Health Fair Day was initiated by the Association in 1973.  It brings health professionals from many branches of medicine to provide free or low-cost examinations and other services to all local residents.  We provide both financial and personal support.

·          Schools  As population increased on Big Pine Key an element of the public pressed for an all-grades elementary school.  Unfortunately, early plans called for a major school complex in an area of Key deer habitat.  The Association demanded a primary level elementary school only and placement in an area which would not impact negatively upon the Key deer.  After much debate, a site and building suitable for early grades were located and developed.

·          Questionnaire  Public opinion studies ascertained residents’ views on local issues to guide County in its legislative efforts.

Last modified: May 02, 2007

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