Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Kumbaya, James Madison and Interested Men...It Matters
There are particular moments in public affairs when the people stimulated by some irregular passion, or some illicit advantage, or misled by the artful misrepresentations of interested men, may call for measures which they themselves will afterwards be the most ready to lament.
-James Madison, The Federalist No. 63
After the thunder and lightning of this city’s politics throughout much of 2010, that whiff of kumbaya-scented incense floating down Pine Avenue of late is, to many, a relief. Mayor Selby has held to pre-election promises of bridge building and consensus seeking, to the snickering delight of some, the quiet chagrin of others and the reluctanct self-loathing acquiescence of the Fourth Estate. But, hey, he’s got the sides talking like he said he’d do and that is worthy of a sincere pat on the back.
Holiday gatherings and the spirit of the season have imbued a sense of camaraderie, real or imagined, among the elected, the electors and, inevitably, those who seek to manipulate both. And a week from today, the P&Z Board will be back at it, discussing yet another new parking ordinance on Pine Avenue and the manipulators will be front and center. In this context, “manipulator” is not necessarily a derogatory term. We all manipulate others in our lives in some form or another by negotiating, controlling or influencing to our advantage (Come on, admit it. Who went out to get the paper when it was 35° this morning and how was that decision made? Hmm?). The point is this: yes, it’s been relatively peaceful since the election and that’s a good thing but the elephant, Pine Avenue parking, is still in the room. And so are those “interested men.”
But a funny thing happened on the way here.
-James Madison, The Federalist No. 63
After the thunder and lightning of this city’s politics throughout much of 2010, that whiff of kumbaya-scented incense floating down Pine Avenue of late is, to many, a relief. Mayor Selby has held to pre-election promises of bridge building and consensus seeking, to the snickering delight of some, the quiet chagrin of others and the reluctanct self-loathing acquiescence of the Fourth Estate. But, hey, he’s got the sides talking like he said he’d do and that is worthy of a sincere pat on the back.
Holiday gatherings and the spirit of the season have imbued a sense of camaraderie, real or imagined, among the elected, the electors and, inevitably, those who seek to manipulate both. And a week from today, the P&Z Board will be back at it, discussing yet another new parking ordinance on Pine Avenue and the manipulators will be front and center. In this context, “manipulator” is not necessarily a derogatory term. We all manipulate others in our lives in some form or another by negotiating, controlling or influencing to our advantage (Come on, admit it. Who went out to get the paper when it was 35° this morning and how was that decision made? Hmm?). The point is this: yes, it’s been relatively peaceful since the election and that’s a good thing but the elephant, Pine Avenue parking, is still in the room. And so are those “interested men.”
But a funny thing happened on the way here.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
COAM COMP PLAN REVISION
The Comprehensive Plan of the City of Anna Maria (COAM) is under a Future Land Use Plan that is environmentally based--Conservation FLUC—and which covers the coastal ecosystems along the three water sides of Anna Maria. The Conservation FLUP allows no development. The COAM wants to make specific changes to the Conservation FLUP and several policies which would allow development on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Property owners and city administrators. The prime motivation for this action is to protect the COAM from property rights lawsuits.
There are a number of violations of Florida Law in their proposed amendments but the most disturbing fact is that the Conservation FLUP is the only element that provides environmental protection for the city. If the currently proposed amendments are passed, it might have the unintended consequence of opening the west coast of Anna Maria to development. The COAM is attempting to change the Comprehensive Plan to comply with zoning but Florida Law requires zoning to comply with the COMP plan.
Text amendments to COMP Plans should be based on changes in conditions, mistakes, state requirements/amendments to 9J-5, to describe a new FLUP, add a new plan element, or generally to clearly direct the local unit of government towards goals and objectives that preserve and protect environmental resources while guiding growth for economic purposes. The COAM may argue that the proposed text amendment is an attempt to fix a mistake, but based on the adopted EAR , and the environmental evidence on land surrounding the coastal perimeter in the form of sensitive flora, fauna and protected coastal landforms it appears that the original language is in the public interest, and there was never a mistake. The city did not provide any studies or evidence to support the change.
The city could address the problem of inconsistency between the zoning regulations and the COMP Plan by amending the zoning regulations to make them consistent. The current plan protects the city’s environmental resources. Florida Law requires zoning and Land Development codes to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
If anyone wants to make comments to the DCA regarding this process, they can make comments to Mr. Ray Eubanks (ray.eubanks@dca.state.fl.us) or to Mr. Chris Wiglesworth (chris.wiglesworth@dca.state.fl.us) at the DCA and mention Case # -- Anna Maria 11-1.
If anyone is interested in a more comprehensive look at the proposed changes, contact me by email and I’ll forward the document to you. (rofriday@wisc.edu)
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Anna Maria COMP Plan Revision
On Dec. 9th the City of Anna Maria sent a proposed revision of its COMP plan to the DCA (Dept. of Community Affairs). A major change is to remove the wording "Preservation-no development allowed". This is an attempt to avoid a lawsuit from a property owner that wants to develop beachfront lands that are zoned "Preservation". It might have unintended consequences for development along the west coast of Anna Maria. Next week I will post additional information about this process. The DCA case number is "Anna Maria 11-1".
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Carolyne Norwood's "Tales of Three Cities"
We just wrapped up reading island local Carolyne Norwood’s newest book, her second, about the history of Anna Maria Island. One thing is for sure, this island has never had a shortage of characters, large personalities and stories to go with them. Norwood’s “Tales of Three Cities” brings many of them to life with 284 pages of anecdotes and pictures. It was such a blast to read we are starting it again.
The book is also available at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, 402 Pine Avenue, or by visiting their website at http://www.amihs.org/. You can also contact Carolyne at carolynenorwood@tampabay.rr.com or phone (941)778-1514 to get your copies signed or personalized for your intended recipients. The book retails for $20 and all sales benefit the Historical Society.
What a great holiday gift idea for AMI friends and family.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Just Breathe
By Bill Yanger
The back fender clangs staccato as the salty beach cruiser bounces off the pavement and onto the sandy path that leads to my church. A seagrape leaf, red veined, round and waxy, hangs just close enough to slap my shoulder and two plump breasted dove take to startled flight, wings whistling in reproach of the sudden intrusion and harmonizing with the melodic hum of a late day sea breeze through the brittle limbs and needles of Australian pines tilting, always, to the lee.
Scattered orphan pine needles provide traction over the shifty sand as the path bends first to the left around a scarred and sagging sable palm and then back to the right toward my sanctuary. I jump off just as the tires bog. I lay the bike behind a dune sprouting tufts of sea-oat grasses and look out over the brigades of kindred dunes marching in either direction while morning glories pop with purple panache along their jade-green railroad vines snaking between.
I squint at the path funneling out onto a blinding whiteness, like a giant sugar bowl has tipped and spilled its contents in front of me, broken only by a cresting high tide depositing a ragged line of Sargasso clumps and sea cockles before disappearing into an emerald infinity called the Gulf of Mexico. The air sniffs briny and young, as if newly conceived, then freed to flutter and soar.
The back fender clangs staccato as the salty beach cruiser bounces off the pavement and onto the sandy path that leads to my church. A seagrape leaf, red veined, round and waxy, hangs just close enough to slap my shoulder and two plump breasted dove take to startled flight, wings whistling in reproach of the sudden intrusion and harmonizing with the melodic hum of a late day sea breeze through the brittle limbs and needles of Australian pines tilting, always, to the lee.
Scattered orphan pine needles provide traction over the shifty sand as the path bends first to the left around a scarred and sagging sable palm and then back to the right toward my sanctuary. I jump off just as the tires bog. I lay the bike behind a dune sprouting tufts of sea-oat grasses and look out over the brigades of kindred dunes marching in either direction while morning glories pop with purple panache along their jade-green railroad vines snaking between.
I squint at the path funneling out onto a blinding whiteness, like a giant sugar bowl has tipped and spilled its contents in front of me, broken only by a cresting high tide depositing a ragged line of Sargasso clumps and sea cockles before disappearing into an emerald infinity called the Gulf of Mexico. The air sniffs briny and young, as if newly conceived, then freed to flutter and soar.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Once Bitten, Twice Shy
By Bill Yanger
They’re back. Here's another in a continuing series of imagined conversations over coffee at the Rod & Reel Pier. Any resemblance to persons or personalities, real or imagined, is entirely coincidental and mostly unintended.
Good morning.
Hey! Nice…uh…coat.
Like it?
Yeah, some climber just called from Mt. Everest, he wants it back.
What can I say, it got cold, like overnight, and the thing’s toasty.
Dude, you’re wearing khaki shorts and flip flops.
It’s not that cold, come on.
Right. So anyway, why the bandage on your hand?
Nothin.
Nothing? Sure looks like something to me, all wrapped up professional like. Cut yourself carving the Thanksgiving turkey?
Nope.
Open a knuckle changing spark plugs in that thing you call a boat?
Nah, she’s runnin’ sweet as ever.
What then?
Ain’t a big deal. Just learned a tough lesson, that’s all.
Looks like a painful lesson. It still hurt?
A little sore yeah but I’ll get over it. Just won’t do that again. Ever.
What again?
Kind of a long story.
You got a steaming cup a coffee and here come my scrambled eggs as we speak. Plenty of time. Talk to me.
You’re sure a nosy S-O-B.
Damn right. And you’re stubborn. Just tell me the story before I stick this fork in that wound of yours.
They’re back. Here's another in a continuing series of imagined conversations over coffee at the Rod & Reel Pier. Any resemblance to persons or personalities, real or imagined, is entirely coincidental and mostly unintended.
Good morning.
Hey! Nice…uh…coat.
Like it?
Yeah, some climber just called from Mt. Everest, he wants it back.
What can I say, it got cold, like overnight, and the thing’s toasty.
Dude, you’re wearing khaki shorts and flip flops.
It’s not that cold, come on.
Right. So anyway, why the bandage on your hand?
Nothin.
Nothing? Sure looks like something to me, all wrapped up professional like. Cut yourself carving the Thanksgiving turkey?
Nope.
Open a knuckle changing spark plugs in that thing you call a boat?
Nah, she’s runnin’ sweet as ever.
What then?
Ain’t a big deal. Just learned a tough lesson, that’s all.
Looks like a painful lesson. It still hurt?
A little sore yeah but I’ll get over it. Just won’t do that again. Ever.
What again?
Kind of a long story.
You got a steaming cup a coffee and here come my scrambled eggs as we speak. Plenty of time. Talk to me.
You’re sure a nosy S-O-B.
Damn right. And you’re stubborn. Just tell me the story before I stick this fork in that wound of yours.
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