IN YOUR CORNER

Many in Martin County support the acquisition of environmentally sensitive land, wetlands, undisturbed native habitat and water re-charge areas. Many of us are sad to see the conversion of wooded areas within what is called “The Primary Urban Services District”, PUSD, lands identified by our Comprehensive Plan as lands suitable for development. Many of us agree that some, if not all remaining untouched lands within the remaining PUSD should be purchased for preservation and elimination of further development. At the same time most of us understand that we live in a very desirable area of Florida and the pressures caused by more people wanting to share our good fortune will lead to more population.

That said, why would we support another tax upon ourselves that simply proposes to buy “western” properties away from where most of us live? Why not identify and designate properties near our homes for purchase? Why not keep at least some of what defines Martin County? Undeveloped lands along our highways will reduce the number of driveways and keep us a little more green that our neighbors. Why not provide some habitat inside the PUSD?

Large tracts of land outside the PUSD are now selling for $15,000/ acre or more. Being realistic, we could purchase perhaps fourteen hundred acres a year with a new one cent tax. At that rate, it would take 142 years to buy the remaining land outside the PUSD.

We need to be honest with ourselves and Martin County’s voters when proposing new taxes. We cannot buy our way out of future growth. We cannot purchase an industry with far greater problems than simply the cost of land, i.e. Agriculture. Now can we violate the rights of existing landowners by taking the equity from their investment.

We can design programs that will allow for the preservation and protection of essential properties, such as the lands proposed for restoration to native habitat by the Indian River Lagoon Restoration Plan. To date, those trying to discuss options other than simple purchase have been severely chastised for even bringing them up. We, as a community, need to put everything out in the open, discuss every known option and be willing to do something about these issues before everything out west becomes 20-acre ranchettes.

There are nine applications for this type of development pending at the County today.

What if we could cooperate with large landowners, St. Lucie County and Port St. Lucie to remove residential density from western lands in both counties and relocate it to better locations, thereby assuring the 92,000 acres of preserve land called for in the Indian River Lagoon Plan would become a reality? Our chances of obtaining federal funding for the rest of the river cleanup would be much greater if we solve the land issues locally.

What if we also proposed purchase of specific properties inside the PUSD, with a master plan to show why those properties would be the best candidates for public ownership? Some could be parks, some preservation. We believe the public would support a combined program of purchase inside the PUSD and density transfer outside, if such a program were carefully developed and explained.

While pursuing land purchases we also have the obligation to protect and provide adequate infrastructure to support the quality of life we all seek. Better roads and drainage must head the list. We also must consider the impacts of new taxes on our small businesses and those least likely to afford the additional burden.

We can protect our existing residents inside and outside of the PUSD and make a better community at the same time. By purchasing properties inside the PUSD, we create a better environment for the remaining wildlife and ourselves. Acquisition of western properties affords us the opportunity of restoring our Everglades and cleansing our rivers.