ANA SERANO: Who should decide Vilano's future: Vilano

Guest Column: Who should decide Vilano's future: Vilano
Who should listen: Our commissioners
Posted: September 18, 2016 - 12:06am | Updated: September 18, 2016 - 9:58am
St. Augustine Record
By ANA SERRANO
Vilano Beach
A lot has been said both for and against The Watermarke Project in Vilano Beach, as lawyers, experts and Vilano Beach residents filed through the County Commissioner’s offices the past few weeks. The arguments have been centered around compatibility, traffic congestion, evacuation delays, the natural environment, the nesting endangered turtle, etc. As decision day approaches we face the reality of what this is truly about.
It is about integrity — the integrity of the Comprehensive Plan and the integrity of the County Commissioners as they vote on the future of Vilano Beach.
The 2025 Comprehensive Plan was carefully developed as the guidelines under which growth and zoning are managed. One would think a lot of thought was given to such an important document. Yet, the County Commissioners are contemplating changing it to accommodate the wants of a greedy developer. The guidelines are clear and should be sufficient to say “no” to this resort that would forever change the character of Vilano. Yet, the changes are being considered. It takes only three willing commissioners to change the guidelines that were so carefully crafted. And so they change it for this developer, and then the next one and the next one after that — until Vilano is completely changed.
What will the next developers want? Another five-star resort? Boutiques? Night clubs? Shops?
What will Vilano look like five, 10 or 15 years from now? They sky is the limit, because it only takes three out of five people to decide, one project at a time. It is death by a thousand cuts.
What good is a document that can be changed over and over and over again? The Comprehensive Plan becomes a worthless piece of paper!
What is the character of Vilano Beach, one might ask? Ah ... Vilano is a small, family-oriented beach community. Its charm is in its diversity. Young and old; people from all walks of life. They live in small houses, big houses, old houses, brand new houses, condominiums and townhomes. Some are on the ocean, some are on the Intracoastal, the majority is sandwiched in between. What all these people have in common is their love for their small community and the desire to keep its charm and character intact.
And one day a developer discovers this gem and arrogantly announces in big bold letters in The Record that he’s “making the right choice for Vilano.” Why should a greedy developer get to decide what is the right choice for Vilano? Why should three willing commissioners get to decide what is the right choice for Vilano? The truth is they shouldn’t.
The choice belongs to the residents of Vilano. They spoke their objections loud and clear with standing-room-only attendance at the Planning and Zoning Agency meeting Aug. 4. Many took advantage of the opportunity and spoke on behalf of Save Our Vilano, only to be crushed by a vote for the developer.
Since then many have written to their commissioners or to The Record. Some have personally met with the commissioners. They have actively and aggressively voiced their objection to his project.
The County Commissioners have a moral responsibility and obligation to listen to the people they were elected to serve, and represent and vote accordingly. Will three of our commissioners be willing to betray the voters who placed their trust in them? Or will they all have the integrity to stand with their constituents and say “no” to this huge resort. Say “yes” to Save Our Vilano.
COMMENTS
Joe Weeks 09/18/16 - 10:09 am 00Moral responsibility and obligation missing
The commissioners who approve the destruction of Vilano need to be boxed up with the carpetbaging developer and shipped out of Florida.