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Citizen Action Request
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Lake County BCC
315 West Main St.
P.O. Box 7800
Tavares, Florida 32778
 Public Participation Tour I
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Through a series of six public meetings with different communities in Lake County during the months of February and March 2005, facilitators of the comprehensive plan asked for the public’s input regarding important quality of life issues in their neighborhoods.

One planned activity, titled “The Heart of What Matters in Lake County,” randomly arranges attendees into five groups and asks them to list the important quality of life issues in the community. The groups were also asked where they would place additional services, such as fire stations, libraries and improved roadways, in their community.

Staff from the Lake County Planning & Community Design Division integrated the input received from the series of public meetings to develop a draft of a new comprehensive plan in May.

Below are the listed results from each public meeting. Each group brainstormed quality of life issues they felt were important for their specific community. The ideas ranged from stricter zoning codes to improved bike trials.
Citizens Academy
Tavares, Florida, Lake County Administration Building
Thursday, April 7, 2005
Desired Public Facilities for Improved Quality of Life and Additional Suggestions and Comments
Table 1
Table 2
Traffic—Concurrency Health Care (Increase Quality; Specialized Care for Elderly)
Schools: Quality of Education/Overcrowding Public Safety and Roads
More Open Space/Parks Subsidies for Farmers: Protect Rural Areas and Support Farmers
Road Infrastructure Catholic Church in Tavares
Protect the Florida Aquifer Cultural Events: Theater, Convention Center, Concert Hall
Cost/Supply/Demand for Water Desalinization Public Transportation
Traffic: Expand Road Networks Schools
Broadband Internet Access at Lower Cost Parks: Improve and Increase Number
Revitalization/Redevelopment of Business District in Eustis More Restrictive Development Regulations
Make Mobile Home Parks More Aesthetically Pleasing More Municipal Buildings
Reveal Actual Needs vs. Real Needs Train/Mass Transit
 
Spring Creek Elementary School Public Participation Meeting
Paisley, Florida
Tuesday, March 1, 2005
Desired Public Facilities for Improved Quality of Life and Additional Suggestions and Comments
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4 Table 5
Leave Open Spaces As They Are Control Development Disqualify Golf Courses As Open Space Add Optional Elements As Requirements For Concurrency Protect Water Recharge; Potable Water Needed (Protect and Conserve)
More Commercial Areas: Address The Issue In The Economic Element Prohibit Golf Courses Enforce Comprehensive Plan By Making It And The Development Code Consistent Follow The New Comprehensive Plan  
Increase Impact Fees Proportionate To Density Decrease Mobile Communities Make All Concurrency Mandatory, Including Schools (Martinez Initiative) Need For A New Civic Center Expand State and Federal Owned Property
Disqualify Golf Courses As Open Space Bike Paths: On Principle Roads Double Impact Fees On Residential Zone Density Improve Wildlife Corridors Through Wekiva To Forest Expand Wildlife Preservation Areas
Purchase Land For Conservation Zeroscape Lawns Protection Of Existing Agriculture Maintain Open Spaces Bear Tunnels And Bridges
Increase Protection Of Springshed Resurface Existing Roads Preserve Green Space Water Quality Cell Towers—To Scale And Where Appropriate; No Grocery Stores
Follow Comprehensive Plan Schools: Better Teachers, Then New Schools Bicycle Trails/Lanes No More Golf Courses Double Speeding Fines In Bear Territory
Limited CUPS To Preserve Water Quality Expressway (Improve Transportation) Lower Speed Limits In Order To Protect Wildlife Within The Corridor Slow Down The Growth Wildlife Corridor To Protect Fox, Deer, Bobcat, Coyote
Predictable Necessary Land Uses—Provision For Things Like Cemeteries, and Landfills   Need A County Civic Center Building/Development Permit Lottery County Take More Responsibility For Wekiva Protection
Route And Time Reciprocal Agreement With Neighboring Counties   Eliminate Urban Expansion Designation Policies That Recognize Rural Areas As Protected (Preserve The Rural Character) Mass Transportation In Urban Centers (Such As Golden Triangle)
Require Developers To Provide Schools—No More Portables   Protect/Preserve Animal Habitat Landscape Buffer Requirements Between Roadways And Commercial Development (Use Native Plants) Adopt Dark Sky Ordinance
Affordable Housing   More Visibility From Police Lighting Ordinances—Low Impact, Especially In Rural Areas: Protect Night Skies Satellite Parking (Park And Ride)
Roads For Passage Of Safety Vehicles Connection Between Forest Hills And Pine Hills   More Parks and Recreation Reduce Rural Taxation Using “Open Space” Sends Wrong Message—Use “Conservation”
Regular Public Transportation Services   Incentives To Protect Areas Of High Recharge (Tax Credit) Minimize Use Of Sod In New Development. Encourage Native Species. Use Zeroscaping Define “Clustering”
      Need Community Centers Rural Character—What Is It?
      Trails Billboard Free County
      Regional/Accessible Cultural Centers Low Density Preservation And Enforcement
      Limited Access For Expressway: Wekiva Parkway, Western Beltway Stick To Comprehensive Plan
      Pedestrian Friendly County Roads Expand Wekiva Protection Area And Springshed With Meaningful Land Use
      More Parkland Acquisition Review Intensity Impacts As Well As Density Impacts
        Storm Water—Protect Water Quality: Do we Trust The Maintenance of Retention Ponds
        Planning For School In Lake Mack
        More Bear Signs And Reinforcement
 
Fruitland Park Elementary School Public Participation Meeting
Fruitland Park, Florida
Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 58 Participants
Desired Public Facilities for Improved Quality of Life and Additional Suggestions and Comments
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4 Table 5
Concurrency for Schools Better Use of Commercial Property-No New Strip Malls When Some Are Standing Empty Water Quality and Degradation = Health Issues. Peruse WHO Guidelines
(i.e. Harris Chain of Lakes)
 Transportation Needs To Be Better: Level of Service Needs To Increase (Specifically, 466A and 441 N) Preservation of Rural Life: Especially Headwaters of Ocklawaha
More Open Space Retain Small Town Atmosphere Animal Services (Implement Neuter/Spay Program. Facilities to Keep Up With Needs) Preservation of Value of Property By Removing Private Property Rights Slow Down Growth-No Rezoning: Keep 1 Unit Per 5 Acres
Change Land Development Regulations Schools First Before Development Rezoning and Schools (Consistency With Surrounding Areas) Acquire More Lands For Parks And Recreation Neuter/Spay Clinic County Wide
Add Transportation Corridors to Alleviate Traffic Control Cities From Sprawling Out Through Annexation Urban Sprawl/Fire Protection/Public Safety/Road Improvement/Rethink and Redo Traffic Patterns Economic Base Needs To Change From 80-20 Res.-Com. To 50-50 Res.-Com. Horse Trails
Limit Consumptive Use Permits for Water Provision For Smaller Acreages Than Five Acre Tracts. However, Not Smaller Than One Acre More Schools Density Issues: 1 Unit Per 5 Acres Increase Density Around Cities, So One Can Afford The Property Values
Protect Wetlands Stormwater Management Quality Land Use Map is Consistent With Text in Comprehensive Plan Don’t Forget Smaller Communities Increase Economic Opportunities For Young People
Connection of Trails and Parks Obey Comprehensive Plan Tree Replacement Standards (Number of Trees/Lot Per Acre) Good Trash Pickup Police Protection Improvement
Growth Management Concerned About Water Quantity And Quality in Private Wells Road Quality (Grays Airport Road/Griffin Drive) Level of Service Concurrent With Rate of Growth Softball Area Road Improvements: Resurface and Restripe, Sidewalk and Shoulder Improvement e.g. Griffin Lance Roads, Grays Airport Road
Add Bike Paths Traffic Concerns Due To Over Development Intergovernmental Coordination; Better County Representation Make Education Higher Priority Horse Trails
Architectural Design Standards Leave Rural Areas Rural More Governance Over Water School Board Does Not Manage: Tail is Wagging Dog More Schools
Open Space for Horseback Riding and Open Space Develop on Need Not Greed, Already Overbuilt Annexation Over Development Landfill Potable Water Supply
Coordination Between Agencies More Frugal Plans For Schools And More Efficiency Discontinue Wells And Development: No Central Services, No Development Improve Water Quality of Lakes Cleaner Lakes
Additional Funds for Purchasing Open Space Lands Start Planning For A US 441 Bypass More Coordination With County, Municipalities, and NGOs for JPAs   No More Golf Courses
Eliminate Timeliness Green Spaces Water Supply Development   Toxic Algae Concerns: Use Safe Pesticides
  Frontage Roads For Commercial Development     Reclaimed Water Required For Golf Courses NOW
  Enforce Road Laws-Construction Zones Are Dangerous     Town Houses Around Cities
  Plan Location of County Utilities Better     Playgrounds
        Drought Tolerant Sod Requirements
        Xeriscape Requirements
        Encourage In-Fill In The Cities
        Suburban Renewal: In-Fill Vacant Lots With Existing Subdivisions
        Follow The Comprehensive Plan
        Cost Feasible Plan So There Are No New Taxes
        Improved Medical Facilities To Keep Up With Growth
        Improve Fire Service
        Fewer Septics On Small Lots—Septic On Five Acre Lots, Provided That We Have High Density And Affordable Housing For Young People
 
Eustis Heights Elementary School Public Participation Meeting
Eustis, Florida
Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 113 Participants
Desired Public Facilities for Improved Quality of Life and Additional Suggestions and Comments
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4 Table 5
School Element in Comprehensive Plan: Mandatory Martinez Plan Wildlife Preserve/Control Growth County (BCC) Following the Comprehensive Plan More Schools No Less Than 5 Acre Lots
Performing Arts Center/Mandatory Cultural and Economic Element Density Control Limit Arterial Connections (ie Extending 429) Keep Open Space Linear Parks for Horse Trails, Biking, and Hiking
Board of County Commissioners and Zoning Board Meetings Need to be Held at Night. Citizens Work In The Morning Enforce Planning Regulations Buffers Between Land Use Densities Less Dense Zoning Per Acre No Kids, No School Impact Fees
Green Space: Wekiva River Preservation Art Facilities Address School Capacity Problem More Sidewalks Sewer for All New Development
Conversion of Rairoad Tracks into Bike Trails and Nature Walks: Rails to Trails Adequate Schools Expand State Owned Property Clustered Housing/1 House Per 5 Acres County Wide, Centrally Located Civic Center
Protect Rural Areas Through Zoning Lake Conservation Maintain Wildlife Habitats Right of Way Before Development Schools and Roads Part of Development Planning
Water Quality: Storm Water Retention/Lakes Commuter Rail Preserve Water Increase Tax Base With More Commercial Development Cultural Affairs Element
Boat Access Sidewalks/Bike Trails Have Allocated Developments in Phases (ie Limiting Building Permits Per Year) Public Access to Lakes Recreation and Open Space Element
Improve Road Network Public Input/Commissioners More Attentive to Wants and Needs of Citizens County/City Zoning Should Be Compatible Central Water: Even for Rural Areas Clean Lakes, Address Toxic Algae Issue
Bike Paths Water Control/Quality WRPA-All Maintained and Enacted Protection for Existing Agriculture Transitional Area Between Wekiva River Protection Area and Cities
Stop Encroachment of Green Swamp Commuter Rail Follow Stronger LDRs Maintain Green Areas Restrictions on Water Front Property (Fertilizer) Water Run Off
Redevelopment Improve Road Networks More Green Space Economic Incentives to Bring Businesses/ Jobs (High End) More Commercial in Areas Properly Zoned
More Conversion of Rail Roads to Bike Paths (Rails to Trails) and Nature Trails Economic Development Contiguous Trails Free Enterprise Zones (Clean Industry) More Office Parks to Draw Businesses
Expand Fairgrounds to Adjacent Lands Professional Industry Continue to Improve Lake Water Quality Need Affordable Housing High Rises in Appropriate Areas
City-County Coordination on Stoplights Linear Recreation Hook Up to City Services Where Available Cultural Affairs Incentives to Restore Historic Homes: Property Tax Incentive, Low Interest Guarantee
Phases of Comprehensive Plan to Allow Gradual Growth Conservation Make Sure Level of Service for Roadway is Adequate Prior to Development Bike Paths Stop Mitigating Wetlands; Protect Them
Sustainable Development: Related Infrastructure, Night Friendly Skies, Florida Architecture, Energy Efficient Homes Recreation Public Transit Dense Zoning Increase Impact Fees to Cover True Cost of Growth
Mass Transit Balance of Commerce Limit Annexations Through JPAs No More Golf Courses Give Cities More Input In Their JPAs
Stop Urban Sprawl   Reduce Urban Sprawl Change Level of Service for Roads More Land Preservation
Airplane Noise is Bothersome   Compatible Land Uses Adjacent to Each Other Larger Lot Line Setbacks Don’t Up Zone Around Lakes
Too Much Traffic   Government Incentives for Redevelopment of Downtown Areas (Urban Core) No more Hop Skip Development Sensitive to Private Property Rights, Don’t Over Regulate and Hinder Economic Development
Too Many Golfcourses   Preserve Existing Trees: e.g. Lake View Ave. Pave Dirt Roads Better Communication With Public On Land Use Changes, ReZoning, and Make Ads More Clear
Needs to be Government and Solid Waste Agreement   Protect Natural Resources Impact Fees Not High Enough on Residential Property No Toll Road (44?)
Property Taxes Alone Can’t Pay for Development and Schools   Moratorium on Golf Courses   Public Transportation for Seniors
Concurrency Between City and County   Have All Government Studies More Readily Available To The Public   Balance Private Property Rights With Public Interest
Meet Concurrency for Stand Alone Developments   Limit Mitigation Credits on Wetlands   Limit Trailer Parks
Reduce Dirt Bike Noise   Fire Hydrants/Services Adequate for New Development   Protect Aquifer/More Stringent Water Resource Management
No 4 lane HWY 46   Preserve Farmlands, Livestock, Agriculture   Better Parking
        True Countywide Cooperative Library System
        Better Medical Facilities/ More Units “Doc In A Box”
 
Lost Lake Elementary School Public Participation Meeting
Clermont, FL
Friday, February 11, 2005 - 170 Participants
Desired Public Facilities for Improved Quality of Life and Additional Suggestions and Comments
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4 Table 5
More roads, better connections Lower Density Developments (In General) More Schools Realistic Tax Base Decrease Housing Density
Public Transportation More Redevelopment Density Control Lower Taxes Roads/Traffic: Additional Access to Toll Roads, Expansion of Major Roads, Service Roads
Preserve Topography: Hills Wetlands Should Not Be Counted As Open Space Plan and Improve Roads Protect Large Tracts with Scaled Density Maintain Hills and Green Areas
Pleasing Commercial District: ex. Port Orange Connector Road into O.C. 429 from 27 Along Schofield Road Public Transportation Protect Water Balance of Nature/Protect Wildlife
Follow DCA for Green Swamp Coordination Between Fire and Police/Better Response Time Improve Connectivity to Schools and Subdivisions Assurance of Long Term Water Supply Leave Wetlands Alone
Better Planning for Roads: Frontage, Aesthetic, Sidewalks, Inter County Coordination Infrastructure: Sewer, Water, Roads, Transportation Water Quantity and Quality Public Transportation/ Transportation for Seniors Stricter Land Use Regulations
4 Corners Commercial Development Decrease Density/Control Sprawl/ Consistent Land Development Regulations Cultural Facilities More Parks Entertainment: Movies, Restaurants
Lake Water Quality Parks and Recreation (Waterfront) Recreational Facilities Preserve Rural Lands/ Greenswamp Improve EMS response time
More Lanes for Major Thoroughfares Open Space/ Environmental Preservation:Green Swamp Vocational Schools and Facilities Minimum % of Each Class of Land Use More Police
Less Homes Per Acre Aesthetics/ Architectural and Landscape Design Standards Stormwater Control Natural/Native Landscaping Better Planned Communities
Consistent Road Signs Operating Budget to Mirror Capital Budget Libraries Buffers for Development Higher Scale Home Development
Pedestrian Friendly Sidewalks and Streets More Incentives, Lower or No Fees for Downtown Businesses and Developers Underground Utilities Recharge Protection Low End Homes
Schools Comply with Concurrency Regulations Actually Follow Comprehensive Plan Better Emergency Services Building Standards for Big Boxes and Design Standards for Residential and Commercial 911 Communication Improvement
Infrastructure Before Rezoning Stronger Protection Policy of Environmentally Sensitive Areas Conservation Easements Cultural Activities Facilities Minor League Baseball/Stadium
More Schools for 4 Corners Require JPAs with Strong Language Intergovernmental Coordination More Participation by Government Agencies Library
Level of Water Use Stricter Annexation Guidelines for the Green Swamp School Concurrency Decrease Density Developers Provide Street Lights, Sidewalks, and Other Amenities
Litter is out of Control No Alteration of Natural Terrain During Development JPAs More Schools More Bike Paths
Better Development and Design for Natural Landscape Devise a Plan to Pay for Growth Local Campaign Reform Community Waterfront Recreation Protect Lake Water Quality
  More New Urbanist/ Clustering Lower Property Taxes Preservation/ Restoration of Green Swamp Better Paying Jobs: Office-Professional
  Recreation Impact Fees Higher Building Standards JPAs with Municipalities Protect Water Resources Through Direct Re-use
  Athletics Available to Children Immigration Medical Services Preservation of Open Space: No More Golf Courses
  Conservation Green Swamp Lawsuit Incentives for Downtown Developers and Businesses More Parks and Ball Fields: Similar to the one on 12th Street
  Free Landfills Love the Hills, Small Town Flavor is Gone Control Sprawl No to Development That Doesn’t Meet Concurrency
  Tie Water Availability with Growth Interconnect Greenspace with Development Landscaping Standards  
  Slow Down Growth Community Centers Operating Budget to Mirror Capital Budget Target for Next 20 Years Higher the Density the More Infrastructure
  Holistic View of Growth Building Diversity Protect Springs and Aquifers Control Annexation
  Better Economic Base Prevent Runoff into Lakes Noise Control Planning Better City-County Joint Planning
    Strengthen Water Authority Phase Out Septic Tanks, Everyone On Central Sewer Enforceable Grading Ordinance
    Government Transparency Model After Successful Communities Like Peachtree City, GA Better Mosquito Control
    More Commercial Space in South Lake Rails to Trails Convention Center
    Planning for Retirees Better Impact Fee System Mall
    Sidewalks in Neighborhoods and Throughout Community No Family Lot Splits Ecotourism
    More Irrigation Connect to 429/ There is Poor Access to Highways Reject Subdivisions in the Green Swamp
      Lack of Trust Between Governments Cut Taxes for Seniors
      Too Much Multi-Family Employment Centers
      Fix Sewer Plant Odor Problem No Incidental Take Permits for Threatened or Endangered Species
      Incompatible Landuse: Commercial or Residential  
 
Astatula Elementary School Public Participation Meeting
Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 62 Participants
Desired Public Facilities for Improved Quality of Life and Additional Suggestions and Comments
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4 Table 5
Education/ Schools/ Sidewalks in School Zones 455/561 Intersection Safety Issues Better Water Quality Conservation of “Little Everglades” Areas County-Municipal Cooperation with Water Supply
Roads/Traffic Control/Bike Lanes/Public Transportation Extension of 455 to 19 (Scenic Byway) Business Center Work on Trails More Schools Built By Developers
Protect Wetlands/Wildlife Habitat Maintain Rural/Agriculture Integrity Affordable/Moderate Housing Address Triathlon Center Situation Unprogramed Parks; Open Space
Growth Management Lower Speed Limit Conservation Easements Protected Bicycle Lanes Fixed Route Transit
Improve Community/More Businesses Widen 561A and Lower Speed Limit Water Treatment Plants Want Hickory Point Kind of Parks Incentives to Preserve Rural Areas and Agriculture
Control Annexation Preserve Waterways Aquifer Protection Conservation of Recharge Areas Everyone on Sewer and Water
Parks and Recreation Water Facility for Higher Density Areas Open Space More Density Towards Cities More Police/Fire Presence, Substations
Emergency Services (Reopen Closed Stations) Economic Incentives for Greenspace Protection Improved Road Network Communities of Special Interest: ex. Equestrian Community Hospital/Health Needs
Designated Rural Settlements (Design Standards) Bicycle Lanes 455 and 561A Libraries More teeth in Educational Element Moderate Income Housing
More Open Space Well Water Protection Fire Stations Pod Schools, Two Story Schools JPAs with all 14 municipalities
Redevelopment Waste Water Treatment Plant-Better Placement Schools Parks and Recreation More Lands for Industrial Use
Economic Employment Incentives Limit Number of Golf Courses   More Efficient Water Use  
Specify High Density Areas More Police/Fire Presence   Clean Industry  
Laws Enforced for Bikes Light Pollution Infill      
  Rails to Trails      
 
Leesburg Elementary School Public Participation Meeting
Monday, February 7, 2005 - 47 Participants
Desired Public Facilities for Improved Quality of Life and Additional Suggestions and Comments
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4 Table 5
Bypass around Leesburg: SR 466
Improve Quality of Education
More Nature Preserves
Alleviate Traffic
Preserve Ecosystems
Stormwater Management
Better Road Network
Bike Paths/Greenways
Bike Trails
Transit System
Infrastructure Development Age Diversification More Schools Camps Cultural Center
Alleviate Traffic Congestion Preserve and Protect Environment Parks and Recreation Improve Water Quality Conservation Easements
Water Management (Clean Up) Expand Economic Base Roads and Sidewalks Better Access to Water Ways Airport Expansion
Greenspace (Planned) Preserve Established Communities Blue Ways Parks More Medical Facilities
Schools Preservation of Shoreline Mass Transit Promote Highway Safety Less Density
Libraries More Playgrounds Fire Stations Greenspace More Commerce
Cell Phone Towers Responsible Location of Big Box Need Public Cemetery Improve Schools More Green Space
Public Transportation Too Much Demand on Public Facilities Sewage Treatment Plant More Moderate Income Housing Require Landscaped Medians
Too Much Traffic Climate   Industrial Parks Stricter Zoning Codes
No More Strip Malls Prevent Urban Sprawl   Family Friendly Developments Alternatives to Incinerator
Poor Landscape Management Intergovernmental Coordination needs Improvement   Public Transportation Less Development to Conserve Water
Poor Water Management     EMT  
      Restaurants  
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