FEBRUARY 27, 2020 – LITTLE MANATEE SOUTH COMMUNITY WORKING GROUP

The Little Manatee South Community Working Group met in Regular Meeting,

scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 2020, at 6:00 p.m., in Crawford Studio

2, SouthShore Regional Library, Ruskin, Florida.

The following members were present: Chairman Stacy White and Commissioner

Mariella Smith and citizen members Scott Buzbee, Ralph Greenlee, and J. D.

Humpherys.

1. CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND INVOCATION

Chairman White called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m., led in the pledge

of allegiance to the flag, and gave the invocation.

2. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 5, 2019

Chairman White sought a motion for approval of the meeting minutes from

the December 5, 2019, meeting. Commissioner Smith so moved, seconded by Mr.

Greenlee, and carried five to zero.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT NUMBER ONE - None.

4. REQUESTED PRESENTATIONS

A. Who has Ownership of/Responsibility for Little Manatee River?

Mr. Ross Dickerson, Conservation and Environmental Lands Management, gave

a presentation. Mr. Humpherys inquired about protections for the Little

Manatee River, coordination between agencies overseeing the river,

historical preservation work in the area, and opportunities for additional

preservation actions during development. Mr. Greenlee questioned if the

Little Manatee River was considered one of the top ten rivers in Florida.

Chairman White asserted the river was a community asset. Commissioner

Smith recognized Mr. James Anderson, Seagrass Recovery Incorporated, for

preservation work, opined on the efficacy of events showcasing Cockroach Bay

Preserve to elected officials, and asked Chairman White about the naming of

the Manatee River as a Wild and Scenic River, which Chairman White addressed.

B. Tools to Preserve Scenic Corridors and Ecologically Pristine Areas

and Waterways

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

C. How Can Upland Wildlife Corridors Be Protected

Ms. Carla Shelton, Development Services, shared a presentation.

Chairman White requested the Land Development Code text referenced in the

presentation be emailed to the group members in its entirety, inquired about

the difference between preservation and conservation, and asked Mr. Humpherys

if he would be open to stringent wildlife habitat protections in exchange

for density bonuses in the planning area. Discussion ensued. Responding to

Chairman White, Commissioner Smith believed development was a future concern

and spoke on infrastructure needs. Following remarks on development

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Ttiming/planning, Chairman White wanted to protect understory vegetation

and to investigate native landscaping requirements during development.

Commissioner Smith sought clarity on how reasonable use was determined and

addressed low-impact development.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman White thanked staff for organizing the meeting.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT NUMBER TWO

Attorney Michael Peterson was concerned about the working group

disregarding the existing community plan and urged caution. Chairman White

clarified prior remarks about plan changes referred to the Comprehensive

Plan, not the community plan.

7. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

READ AND APPROVED: _______________________________

CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:

PAT FRANK, CLERK

By: _______________________

Deputy Clerk

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Start positionCALL TO ORDERAPPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTESPlay 7Who has Ownership of/Responsibility for Little Manatee River?Play 11Play 14How Can Upland Wildlife Corridors Be ProtectedPlay 19Play 22Other BusinessPublic CommentADJOURNMENT

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