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In our 2010 Comprehensive Plan objective 101.4 states: MONROE COUNTY SHALL REGULATE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT TO MAINTAIN THE CHARACTER OF THE COMMUNITY The character of a community may be an elusive concept. However, the planning commission at their June 11, 2003 meeting said that the character of Big Pine Key had been determined for many years. It is a rural community with predominantly local businesses. The chain stores that are here were built before we had a plan to regulate growth. In the many years since and with the recent three years worth of Livable CommuniKeys meetings we were led to believe that the residents would have a voice in the community character of our island. If Walgreen’s wins their appeal the community character that we have all envisioned will be a thing of the past. In the future we will all wonder how we allowed it to happen. How did Big Pine Key, part of the Florida Keys and referred to as a National Treasure, end up looking like Anywhere, USA? The planning commission determined that a Walgreen’s locating at the existing Scotty’s location would generate more traffic than Scotty’s presently does. That means it is a change in use. This does not mean that “as of right” they can move into the present building. Our planning staff continues to undermine the determinations of the planning commission and allow for more and more large developments to infiltrate our fragile environment and our local community economy. It is time for us, as individuals, to hold our planning staff accountable for their decisions that affect our lives. Planning is not black and white. It is an art. Our comprehensive plan can be interpreted to include no large developments just as it can be interpreted to allow for as much growth as the planning department seems to want. The buck can stop at the planning department if we would only take the time to voice our opinions to our planning staff. We pay their wages, they work for us, not the developers. Walgreen’s could have been turned down before it even made it to the agenda of the planning commission. A simple “I’m afraid it does not fit in with the community character” is all that was needed. If they wanted to fight after that at least we would have all been on the same page instead of the residents fighting the decision of the planning staff. What happens to community character when a large chain store moves in? They lower their prices. They drive the competition out of business. They raise their prices. Time and time again this is happening across America. We no longer have individuality and charm of small town America. The money is sent to corporate headquarters in Illinois and the workforce is brought in from Homestead on our subsidized bus service. The economic viability of a community is lost as buildings sit empty and tax revenues are decreased. This is enough of an argument to keep them out. It’s being done across the country. We have to insist that it be done here. We need to insist that our planning staff start to listen to our desires. We spoke loud and clear at the LCP meetings. No one is listening. It’s time for us to make them listen. I really believe that the fate of Walgreen’s will depend upon our participation. This is the first time in my memory that all factions of this island agree on an issue. Let’s use this to our advantage. Let’s rally with Susan Eanes of Big Pine Liquors and make a stand for our small, unique community. If we don’t we only have ourselves to blame. (Signed) Sherry Phillips 7/2/2003 Last modified: May 02, 2007
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