Sarasota News Leader

06/13/2014

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housing, understanding disaster assistance programs, wading through insurance claims, finding reputable contractors, understanding their renter's rights, and making decisions on whether to rebuild their home." It is meant to reassure residents that they will be allowed to rebuild the types of structures they have lost in a storm. The language stems from the view of Barrier Island League mem- bers that the county's post-storm plan does not provide adequate support for expedited reconstruction and property rights. In an email Thursday to The Sarasota News Leader, Catherine Luckner, vice president of the Siesta Key Association and a member of the Barrier Island League, said she has con- cerns about a lack of specificity in certain aspects of the plan. "The need for advance information, for guid- ance and direction that mitigates economic hardship and stabilization is our purpose," Luckner wrote. "Our idea was to design a matrix with decision points and rules so everyone easily recognizes and responds to their circumstance." The group had hoped for a mechanism in the PDRP for "on file" digital records so prop- erty owners would be "mapped" in county records, with data about their property easily accessible. The League sees that as a means of expediting redevelopment. But county staff and commissioners say the group's proposed additional statement could be considered over-arching. While the PDRP is a plan for redevelopment, it should not offer too much specificity, staff and commissioners said Wednesday. "If part of their concern [with] the plan is about wrestling property or property rights from individuals, that is not what the plan is about," Wreford said. "But there are elements of this plan that [highlight how], in the face of catastrophic disaster, we would want to do things smarter, more sustainable." Vice Chairwoman Christine Robinson noted that agencies such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection would assuredly become involved with redevelopment efforts. "I don't want to lead [concerned residents] down a road to a false sense of security," Robinson said. "They want a guarantee they can rebuild what they have," Robinson added of the Barrier League members. "We may not be able to guarantee that if their piece of property, for instance, becomes an inlet." Robinson said she would like to see county staff members try to clarify redevelopment goals in a way that will be satisfactory to them and the barrier islands group. Chairman Charles Hines agreed with Robinson's remarks. Wreford said he believes he can work with representatives of the League between now and October, when the plan will be back Sarasota News Leader June 13, 2014 Page 61

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