FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT
MYERS, Fla. (April 24, 2002) – Lee County’s Smart Growth Advisory Committee
will officially begin its work Thursday (April 25) with its first meeting.
The
meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the first floor conference room of the Lee County
Community Development/Public Works Building in downtown Fort Myers, 1500 Monroe
Street.
The goal of Smart Growth is
to achieve a good balance between community livability, economic viability, and
environmental sensitivity. One of
its keys is proactive, inclusive, community-supported growth management.
During last year’s budget process, the Board of Lee County
Commissioners authorized the creation of a county Smart Growth Department.
The department’s director, Wayne Daltry, reports directly to the County
Manager.
The Board also created a
17-member Smart Growth Advisory Committee, with each Commissioner appointing
three members. School Board
Chairwoman Jane Kuckel and County Commission Chairman Bob Janes also are
committee members, and County Manager Don Stilwell is an ex-officio member.
The Board set aside up to $340,000 in the county’s Fiscal Year 2001-02
Budget to spend on the Smart Growth initiative, and will review its progress
annually to determine continued funding.
The members of the Smart
Growth Advisory Committee are: Carol Hudler, Dennis Gilkey, Brian Griffin,
William F. Hammond, Lee Ford, Arnold Rosenthal, Ellen Lindblad, Ed Houck, Steve
Maxwell, John Witt, Tim Kenny, Kate English, Jack Eichenberg, Robert Fowler,
Marty Harrity, Kuckel, Janes and Stilwell.
The agenda for Thursday’s meeting is:
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Brief History of Lee County growth and the County’s governmental structure
3. The Mission of the Committee
4. Achievements of the predecessor committee
5. What the SG Committee members want to accomplish- based on their view of smart growth
6. How changes will be made to County activities (how recommendations will be handled)
7. Basic Committee protocols
8. Developing the 2 year work plan
9. Choosing a standard meeting time/place
10. Adjourn