A Letter to the Editor of the Herald Tribune, Sept. 8, 2020 regarding the view taken of a citizens' effort to preserve and protect the rural heritage of a 170-year-old community in East Sarasota. More on the issues here and see also:
Sarasota County panel wants stricter rules for public input on growth.
Like Humpty Dumpty, developers must fall
“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less." – Through the Looking-Glass, Lewis Carroll
Sarasota County has stepped through the looking-glass with residents’ interests upside down to development interests.
East County residents support a comprehensive plan amendment preserving Old Miakka’s historic rural community. Developers threaten expensive lawsuits.
Humpty Dumpty’s and developers’ words mean what they choose – not what is real. Here are some developers’ words opposing CPA 2019-C at a recent public hearing and the real meanings:
“Chaos” and “hijacking the process” means Old Miakka residents following county regulations and asking the county to preserve existing rural zoning densities.
“Vested private property rights” means rights to imagined future hamlet rezones without filing an application.
“Millions in county liability” means the county paying developers for speculative, unreasonable investments in hypothetical future density increases.
CPA 2019-C is based on facts and the Old Miakka Plan, is in the public interest, maintains Apoxsee future land use, and deserves commission approval.
Humpty Dumpty must take a great fall.
Susan Schoettle-Gumm, Sarasota, former Assistant County Attorney, Sarasota County
