American rights?
To the editor:
The local Civic Association, with a grant and consultant, developed a zoning overlay plan for a portion of Matlacha, affecting approximately 350 residential properties.
This plan, as submitted to the county for approval, includes taking existing property rights, downzoning, such as reducing allowable building height 6 feet, eliminating new flat roof, changing dock setbacks, setting architectural standards, etc. and potentially voiding older, existing zoning variances.
In discussion of the issue at an association meeting, the association elected not to notify affected property owners by mail or ballot them on the plan prior to Lee County approval of the plan. The consultant stated the county would not require direct mail notification either.
A variance is typically required to build on a non-conforming lot in Matlacha, increasing property rights if approved, and requires two mail notifications to property owners within 500 or 750 feet of the proposed variance, so owners can voice their opinion.
If government spends taxpayers’ dollars, reportedly $6,000, to develop a plan “taking property rights away from owners,” shouldn’t it also be required to notify the affected property owners by mail and allow them to voice their opinion prior to the approval of the plan?
Ron Schlegel
Matlacha