Central Florida Pursues Regional Vision For Growth

An $850,000 planning effort to create a framework to guide Central Florida's growth during the next 50 years was initiated with the financial help of Florida's Department of Community Affairs on Wednesday, March 29th, amid news of several projects that could change the face of the area even before the group reaches a consensus. The planning process will seek public input via workshops that begin on April 27th, and will encourage public participation through a website at myregion.org.

The group will not take positions on local issues. "We cannot get mired down on one issue as we build this fragile framework," said Shelley Lauten, project director of myregion.org.

"One goal is to get the heads of the seven county commissions to meet regularly to share problems and solutions. 'Orange County may be making a decision that Lake County needs to be involved in, but there is no mechanism,' Lauten said."

"During the kickoff meeting, elected officials detailed growth challenges facing their area. 'The 800-pound elephant in the room is urban sprawl,' said Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty.

Osceola County Commissioner Ken Shipley said his county is preparing for projected growth by trying to direct it to new communities, rather than allowing large areas to grow piecemeal."

"Central Florida is the first region in the state to start a wide-ranging visioning project. But Seminole County Commissioner Brenda Carey said the time has come to act.

'We've been talking about these same issues for twenty years.'"