Something is terribly wrong here and this example should be a wakeup call for counties everywhere. It is unconscionable that three men, four men or the unanimous board be able to undo what was signed off as permanent protection.
Big corporations, when their economic greed is threatened by local boards of commission, often resort to packing the commissions with their candidates, no matter how long it takes. When millions upon millions are at stake, a few years do not matter.
Conservation tracts should not be vulnerable to change by the whim or bribing of a few local politicians. Perhaps one solution would be to donate the lands to conservation trusts such as Alachua Conservation Trust, which has done remarkable work in preserving lands along the Santa Fe River.
Developers such as Dorworth should not be allowed to threaten those who oversee lands put into conservation. We have reported on this man and his lawsuits and shenanigans before.
Read the original article here in the Orlando Sentinel.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Seminole Considers Extra Layer of Protections for Natural Lands
December 13, 2021
County officials recently realized that any portion of Seminole’s 6,630 acres of natural lands set aside for preservation could be either sold off, traded away or rezoned for development with simply the approval of a majority of commissioners — or three votes.
According to the proposed ordinance urged forward by Constantine last July, Seminole “recognizes the need for additional safeguards and considerations for future rezoning of natural lands in the wake of increased development pressure.”
The River Cross development called for up to 600 single-family homes, 270 townhouses, 500 apartments and 1.5 million square feet of shops, restaurants, and offices on that larger property in Seminole’s rural boundary.
The proposed ordinance also would require a supermajority vote by the board to change the zoning or land use designation on any public natural lands.
Much of Seminole’s natural lands were purchased with property tax money after Seminole voters in 1990 approved a referendum to buy environmentally sensitive acreage for preservation. That tax increase raised more than $20 million. Then in 2000, voters approved another property tax increase to purchase an additional $5 million in natural lands….
mcomas@orlandosentinel.com
Martin E. Comas
Orlando Sentinel
