Little Public Interest As Century Updates Aging Land Development Code
April 28, 2017
The Town of Century is updated its aging Land Development Code thanks to a state grant, a process that has generated little public interest. Only one member of the public attended just one of three public workshops on the updates.
The town received a $25,000 Division of Community Development’s Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to update their LDC, which was adopted on April 29, 1991. The work is being done by Peggy Fowler and Associates, which submitted the only proposal.
The Land Development Code (LDC) essentially specifies what can be built where and how it can be used within the town limits.
The majority of the LDC has not been revised since it was adopted in 1991. It, according to Fowler, must be updated to ensure compliance with changes in state and federal laws and the goals and objectives of the Town Century Comprehensive Plan 2025. The updates will also address any inconsistencies or duplication in the document, plus make the LDC more user-friendly and easier to understand with minor reorganization and the addition of tables and simple illustrations.
Thursday’s third public workshop on the update process was not attended by any member of the public (other than our reporter/photographer).
A complete draft will be presented a public hearing on May 15 at 6:30 p.m., prior to a regular council meeting at 7:00. NorthEscambia.com has requested a copy of the draft to publish prior to the meeting for public review.
Pictured: Three Century staffers — Assistant Clerk Kristina Wood, Peggy Fowler of Peggy Fowler and Associates and consultant Debbie Nickles — and no members of the public at a Thursday morning Land Development Code workshop in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
3 Responses to “Little Public Interest As Century Updates Aging Land Development Code”
Quite often, people who show up are not from inside Century town limits and don’t have a dog in the fight. Also, unless they are planning to do some different from what they have already done or are worried their neighbors might, they are satisfied.
If angry mobs show up, you are probably doing something wrong. If they stay home and rest from a hard day’s work, you might be doing something right.
David for rest for the rest
You are right Chris. People will get online and complain until their fingers go numb but they won’t show up to a discussion to learn and participate.
Unfortunately the lack of public interest is indicative of Century’s problem.