Grass-roots group says 'Stop Miami Corporation' — say no to Farmton

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Jan 18, 2010 - 5:24:24pm

A group of Volusians wants to just say "no" to the Farmton plan, and say it loudly to the Volusia County Council. They started a petition campaign just for that purpose.

The Volusia County Council is scheduled to vote Feb. 18 on whether or not to adopt plans to allow large-scale development on the Farmton tract. Property owner the Miami Corp. requested a change to the comprehensive land-use plan to allow development of nearly 29,000 homes on 59,000 acres stretching from Edgewater into Brevard County. The comprehensive plan dictates how land can be used and developed.

The land, owned by Miami Corp., is currently used for conservation, tree farming and hunting.

With the words "Stop Miami Corporation," the site at www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stopmiamicorp, sponsored by the Environmental Council of Volusia-Flagler and the Edgewater Citizens' Alliance, urges Volusia County residents to sign the online petition. Members are circulating e-mails directing readers to the site.

Organizers will present the signed petition to the County Council before the final vote on Feb. 18. The meeting will start at 9 a.m. in the County Council Chambers in the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center at 123 W. Indiana Ave. in DeLand.

The biggest piece of the Farmton tract, 47,000 acres, is in Volusia County. The Brevard County Commission has already approved the land-use change to approve greater development for Farmton in that county.

"Stop Miami Corp." organizers hope to sway the Volusia County Council with a demonstration of Volusian opposition to the plan.

Local environmental groups have objected to the plan, saying there is no need for such development, and much of the land is ecologically sensitive, flood-prone and not suitable for development. A major wildlife corridor runs through the tract, as well.

Miami Corp.'s position is that most of the land will be held in a conservation easement, and development will not occur until the need for it is demonstrated.

The Volusia County Council approved the Farmton plan the first go-round, on a 6-1 vote in October. The Florida Department of Community Affairs, which must approve all such land-use changes, has taken a look and noted 12 areas of concern, each followed with "Recommendation: Do not approve."

County staff is expected to make a report addressing state concerns to County Council members during a special meeting 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan. 28, also in County Council Chambers. Then, a final version of the amendment is expected to come before the County Council for a second and final vote Feb. 18. Both meetings are open to the public.

Petition organizers want to show the council that most Volusians object to the development plan.

"Our goal is to get 2,000 signatures by Feb. 15," Michele Moen, who volunteers with both environmental groups, said. Moen is also chairwoman of the Volusia Soil and Water Conservation District.

The environmentalists figure that 2,000 signatures should get the attention of County Council members.

Jan. 15, after just two days, Moen was pleased the petition had already received 127 signatures. "People feel so strongly about this. They are disgusted with politics," she said.

Monday afternoon, Jan. 18, the site registered 246 signatures.

It will take an average of 70 signatures per day to reach the goal, Moen added.

— pat@beacononlinenewscom

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