Coalition Urges DCA to Consider All Implications of Proposed Briny Plan.Asks Department of Community Affairs to Weigh Costs to Taxpayers from Increased Density on Barrier Islands DELRAY BEACH Delray Beach, resort city (1990 pop. 47,181), Palm Beach co., SE Fla., on the Atlantic coast; settled 1895, inc. 1911. Mostly residential, Delray Beach is also the trade center for a citrus-fruit and vegetable-growing region. , Fla. -- The Florida Coalition for Preservation has asked Secretary Thomas Pelham Noun 1. Pelham - a bit with a bar mouthpiece that is designed to combine a curb and snaffle bit - piece of metal held in horse's mouth by reins and used to control the horse while riding; "the horse was not accustomed to a bit" of the Florida Department Florida is a department (departamento) of Uruguay. Population and Demographics As of the census of 2004, there were 68,181 people and 21,938 households in the department. The average household size was 3.1. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. of Community Affairs to consider a host of costs that will be borne by taxpayers if the agency accepts the "irresponsible" redevelopment plan proposed at Briny Breezes. Former Congressman Tom Evans, Chairman of the Florida Coalition for Preservation, cautioned Secretary Pelham in a letter that by allowing Briny Breezes to become one of the most densely populated pop·u·late tr.v. pop·u·lat·ed, pop·u·lat·ing, pop·u·lates 1. To supply with inhabitants, as by colonization; people. 2. areas on Florida's east coast, the development would strain local infrastructure while putting an overwhelming number of residents in a high-risk hurricane zone. Furthermore, it most definitely would cause evacuation problems and force Floridians to carry a multi-billion dollar insurance liability. "Virtually all of those from whom you have received comments are strongly opposed to the amendments to the comprehensive plan because it is totally incompatible with the communities in the area of Briny," Evans wrote in the letter. "It will also dangerously stress the surrounding infrastructure because of its density." Evans added that the increased density from the proposed plan would quadruple the population of Briny Breezes and strain area infrastructure to the breaking point, further congesting an already overtaxed transportation system and setting the stage for chaos during a forced hurricane evacuation. "I do not believe any of the submissions addressed the issue of insurance or the unnecessary potential cost to Florida and U.S. taxpayers. Placing substantially more people in an extremely small area that is vulnerable and storm prone certainly increases the risk," said Evans, who authored the Coastal Barrier Resources Act The Coastal Barrier Resources Act of the United States (CBRA, Public Law 97-348), enacted October 18, 1982, designated various undeveloped coastal barriers, depicted by a set of maps adopted by law, for inclusion in the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS). signed by President Reagan in 1982. "Briny Breezes is in the middle of `hurricane alley' and common sense tells us that we should not put more people in harm's way harm's way n. A risky position; danger: a place for the children that is out of harm's way; ships that sail into harm's way. . We must not play Russian Roulette Russian roulette suicidal gamble involving a six-shooter, loaded with one bullet. [Folklore: Payton, 590] See : Chance with people's lives and property." Evans further expressed doubts about the impact that the proposed population explosion at Briny Breezes and its corresponding increase in water consumption would have on South Florida's water shortage, which recently reached critical levels. In summary, because the negative impact on those paying taxes and insurance premiums should be a major consideration, Evans urged Secretary Pelham to include all the risks and costs in his review of the proposed plan for Briny Breezes, especially taxes and insurance premiums. "I hope that after your thorough review of the amendments to the comprehensive plan you will recognize that the citizens of this great state will be served best now and in the future by your outright rejection of this totally overzealous o·ver·zeal·ous adj. Excessively enthusiastic: overzealous movie fans; an overzealous manager. o plan. It cannot be resolved by a few cosmetic changes and everyone needs to begin again with more realistic and reasonable plans," Evans said. Developers want to jam tiny Briny Breezes with multiple high-rise towers housing 900 condominium condominium In modern property law, individual ownership of one dwelling unit within a multidwelling building. Unit owners have undivided ownership interest in the land and those portions of the building shared in common. units, 300 timeshare A form of shared property ownership, commonly in vacation or recreation condominium property, in which rights vest in several owners to use property for a specified period each year. units, a 349-room luxury hotel, restaurants, retail shops, parking facilities and a yacht marina - all on an environmentally fragile, hurricane-vulnerable barrier island. To read the letter to Secretary Pelham and learn more about the Florida Coalition for Preservation, please visit www.preservationfla.org. |
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