MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 27, 2007, MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF VOLUSIA AND FLAGLER COUNTIES

Board Members Present: Betty O’Laughlin, John Baker, Robert Haviland, Don White, Alexa Ross, Brynn Newton
Group Representative: David Hartgrove (Halifax Audubon)

Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the October 23, 2007, meeting were approved.

Seville 5
Betty O’Laughlin reported on the opposition, being led by Hank Morgenstern and Mary Prevatt among others, to the proposed rezoning. Betty O’Laughlin has been in e-mail communication with Department of Community Affairs’ legal department

DeBary Debacle
The project has been approved with no marina and no restaurant and fewer homes, but still located directly on the St. Johns River.

FPL Transmission Lines
There was a discussion of the current proposal to run transmission lines across the St. Johns River between Seminole County and Volusia County, to tie substations together and improve reliability during thunderstorms. David Hartgrove explained that burying high-power electrical lines requires constant attention and nitrogen casings to prevent complications from moisture. If the lines crossed the river farther west of the bridge, he said, the marsh would recover from the construction damage within a year. relocating the lines, however, would requite Florida Power & Light to obtain new easements. The primary objection to the lines appears to be their visual impact. By consensus, the Council decided not to take a position on the issue.

Volusia Growth Management Commission
The Growth Management Commission is seeking comments and recommendations for new language for its guidelines. John Baker noted a Fourth District Court of Appeal decision regarding notice to property owners which held that “adjacent” is not synonymous with “contiguous.” A motion made by John Baker and seconded by Don White passed, to authorize a letter to Council Chairman Frank Bruno to question why he sent a letter to Daytona Beach saying that the VGMC had made a mistake in a case from that city but did not send a similar communication regarding the approval of the original DeBary Riverbend proposal. There was a discussion about Daytona Beach’s appointing its city manager, James Chisholm as its representative on the Commission.

Beach
Robert Haviland reported that DEP’s Division of Beaches and Shores is proposing to lay sand-filled tubes in eroded beach areas. A letter will go to Flagler County to recommend that they review what has happened with its shoreline and that they ask for a computer model that will include potential erosion from a Nor’easter and true storms.

John Baker distributed literature regarding energy recovery and the “Symmetry of the Face” principle in architecture, trees, and streets.

Treasurer’s Report
Don White reported a bank balance of $883.63, with an available balance of $468.68 after outstanding checks have been cashed. He stated that ECVF has a 501(c)(3) certificate but no State of Florida tax-exempt certificate. A motion made by Brynn Newton and seconded by Alexa Ross passed, to accept the Treasurer’s Report.

Seabird Island
David Hartgrove reported on the Causeway Redevelopment Authority meeting regarding Seabird Island. Port Orange has a 20-year lease on park land from the State, with built-in 10-year extensions. The current height limitation on Seabird Island is 35 feet.

Flagler County
Don White reported that longtime Board of County Commissioners Chairman Jim Darby has been replaced as Chair by Jim O’Connell. Flagler Audubon members have been giving environmental briefings around the County, and have developed a “Jewels of Flagler” program. Dennis Clark has been appointed to the Futures Committee which will review the County’s comprehensive plan. A gopher tortoise ordinance is being reviewed by the County’s Legal Department Palm Coast’s Linear Park is being considered for designation as a Great Florida Birding Trail. Scrub jays will be included on the soon-to-be-announced Watch List from Audubon.