11 October 2000
Panama City, Florida


     CITIZEN'S ALERT! HELP PROTECT YOUR BAY AND NEIGHBORHOOD


As a service to citizens, the St. Andrew Bay Resource Management
Association is publishing this notice to make citizens aware of the
changes being proposed to the County's Land Use Codes. The Development
Code Review Committee has proposed a number of changes to the codes
that govern the future development of Bay County. There will be a
PUBLIC HEARING on these changes on Thursday, October 19, at 4:00 pm at
the County's Emergency Operations Center on Mulberry St.

We note that development interests heavily dominated this committee.
Except for county staff, nearly every member had a connection to the
development sector. No neighborhood advocates were allowed to be on
the committee, and only one environmentalist was included, but quickly
resigned in frustration. Citizens could, and did attend the meetings;
however, they were not allowed to vote, and their objections were
disregarded.

The changes that have been proposed are many. Citizens are encouraged to 
read them in their entirety in the County's Public Library. We are 
summarizing some of the changes that are of particular concern to the 
continued health of our bay and other water bodies, neighborhoods, and 
quality of life:

    * Severe weakening of the current 30-ft buffer zone around our 
 wetlands and water bodies. This buffer zone is critical to preventing 
 water pollution, sediment discharge, and to protect the transitional area 
 around the wetlands. There is no debate in scientific circles on this 
 issue. In fact, the recommended width of buffer zones is much wider than 
 what we now have. Other counties in our area have a 50-ft setback from 
 their water bodies, as well as a wetland buffer.

    * The elimination of height and density restrictions in the 
 unincorporated beaches areas. Density could increase from the present 15 
 units/acre to up to 300 units or more per acre. The height limitation of 
 200 ft. would be taken out entirely. The stress on our infrastructure, 
 water supply, traffic congestion, sewage and hurricane evacuation could 
 be severe.

    * Listing of pine trees as "nuisance" trees, along with exotic species 
 such as popcorn trees, allowing their removal without any replacement. 
 The current rule protects only the larger pine trees and is needed to 
 protect our vegetative cover. Due to past silviculture, pine trees are 
 all we have in certain areas and they provide an important ecological role.

    * Allowing mining operations adjacent to residential developments. The 
 existing distance rule of ½ mile, and requirement for 100 ft vegetative 
 buffers would be removed. The dust, noise and heavy traffic from such 
 operations could severely impact quality of life for nearby residents.

    * Changes in administrative procedures that would make it more 
 difficult to challenge a harmful project, such as a reduction in the 
 amount of time before a hearing, and allowing a project to begin before 
 judicial review was completed.

    * The following changes do not have any environmental impacts, but may 
 be of interest to the community:

    * Existing noncompliant billboards would be allowed to remain in place 
 indefinitely, by taking out the deadline for removal by 2003.

    * Changes to the code regarding jet ski and chair rental operations 
 could result in their being able to locate in the public beach in
 front of any beach property.

We feel that the proposed changes have the potential to damage our
environment and quality of life. They do not benefit the future of our
county and reflect that this committee was structured with little
regard for the fair representation of citizen's interests, or what was
accomplished in the Visioning Process and the Comprehensive Plan.

What you can do:

    * Attend the PUBLIC HEARING on October 19. Let the Planning Board know 
 you do not want these changes made.

    * Call, write or email your County Commissioners. Ask them to vote 
 against these changes.

    * Also tell them that you want workshops, not just hearings, on this 
 issue. Changes with these kinds of impacts should be made slowly and 
 carefully. Ask that a citizen's committee be formed to propose changes 
 that will benefit neighborhoods and our environment.

Remember that unless citizens make themselves heard, only those with
economic interests will guide the future of our county. Thank
you. --St.  Andrew Bay Resource Management Association,

http://www.sabrma.org