sc071202

Fri, July 12, 2002

Today, after attending a meeting between St Joe Company representatives and the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) regarding DCA's ORC (Opinions, Recommendations, and Comments) Report on the project, I was provided a copy of the July 9th letter from the Franklin County Emergency Management Director, James Turner, to the Franklin County Planner, Alan Pierce (Turner's boss). Turner also copied the head of DCA, the Franklin County Commissioners, and others. In his letter, Mr. Turner raises four concerns with the proposed development as it relates to Franklin County emergency management and emergency mitigation plans and requirements. Concern 4 is especially disconcerting as it states as follows:

"Under its Community Rating System, the National Flood Insurance Program could change the county's rating or even drop Franklin County from the program if this type of development is allowed. A change in rating could substantially raise the insurance premiums for all homeowners. If FEMA determines that our county is no longer an acceptable risk and drops us from the program this would affect residents' ability to secure a mortgage and cause even greater economic harm. This should be carefully considered."

In view of Mr. Turner's position with the county, I think we should all take his concerns seriously. Joe Hambrose and I have spoken with Mr. Charles Spates of the emergency recovery group of DCA, which is the authority on this issue within DCA. It was the opinion of Mr. Spates that if the development does violate Franklin County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and the Community Rating System Program regulations for Franklin County then the development could effect Franklin County's coverage or rate structure under FEMAS's National Flood Insurance Program. Joe and I intend to pursue this issue next week but it is doubtful that we will have sufficient information prior to the public hearing and the approval hearing before the county commissioners scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16th, relating to St Joe's Comprehensive Land Use Change request to change the land from Agricultural to Mixed Use Residential.

If you feel this is an issue, you may wish to contact the Franklin County commissioners and county planner and express your opinion as to their approval of the land use change amendment for this development on Tuesday prior to a definitive position from the FEMA as to whether the development as currently proposed would effect Franklin County's coverage and/or premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program.

The following contact information is provided for your use:

Board of Planning and Zoning Commission Alan Pierce, County Planner

33 Commerce St. 33 Commerce St.

Apalachicola, FL 32320 Apalachicola, FL 32320

Franklin County Commissioners

Eddie D. Creamer Cheryl Sanders

206 Old Ferry Dock Rd. P.O. Box 641

Eastpoint, FL 32328 Carrabelle, FL 32322

(850) 670-8132 (850) 697-2534

Bevin Putnal Jimmy G. Mosconis

P. O. Box 416 P.O. Box 172

Carrabelle, FL 32322 Apalachicola, FL 32329-0172

(850) 697-3719 (850) 653-9294

Clarence Williams

P. O. Box 1001

Apalachicola, FL 32329-1001

(850) 653-8108



	Fri, July 12, 2002 Today, after attending a meeting between St Joe Company representatives and the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) regarding DCA's ORC (Opinions, Recommendations, and Comments) Report on the project, I was provided a copy of the July 9th letter from the Franklin County Emergency Management Director, James Turner, to the Franklin County Planner, Alan Pierce (Turner's boss). Turner also copied the head of DCA, the Franklin County Commissioners, and others. In his letter, Mr. Turner raises four concerns with the proposed development as it relates to Franklin County emergency management and emergency mitigation plans and requirements. Concern 4 is especially disconcerting as it states as follows: "Under its Community Rating System, the National Flood Insurance Program could change the county's rating or even drop Franklin County from the program if this type of development is allowed. A change in rating could substantially raise the insurance premiums for all homeowners. If FEMA determines that our county is no longer an acceptable risk and drops us from the program this would affect residents' ability to secure a mortgage and cause even greater economic harm. This should be carefully considered." In view of Mr. Turner's position with the county, I think we should all take his concerns seriously. Joe Hambrose and I have spoken with Mr. Charles Spates of the emergency recovery group of DCA, which is the authority on this issue within DCA. It was the opinion of Mr. Spates that if the development does violate Franklin County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and the Community Rating System Program regulations for Franklin County then the development could effect Franklin County's coverage or rate structure under FEMAS's National Flood Insurance Program. Joe and I intend to pursue this issue next week but it is doubtful that we will have sufficient information prior to the public hearing and the approval hearing before the county commissioners scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16th, relating to St Joe's Comprehensive Land Use Change request to change the land from Agricultural to Mixed Use Residential. If you feel this is an issue, you may wish to contact the Franklin County commissioners and county planner and express your opinion as to their approval of the land use change amendment for this development on Tuesday prior to a definitive position from the FEMA as to whether the development as currently proposed would effect Franklin County's coverage and/or premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program. The following contact information is provided for your use: Board of Planning and Zoning Commission Alan Pierce, County Planner 33 Commerce St. 33 Commerce St. Apalachicola, FL 32320 Apalachicola, FL 32320 Franklin County Commissioners Eddie D. Creamer Cheryl Sanders 206 Old Ferry Dock Rd. P.O. Box 641 Eastpoint, FL 32328 Carrabelle, FL 32322 (850) 670-8132 (850) 697-2534 Bevin Putnal Jimmy G. Mosconis P. O. Box 416 P.O. Box 172 Carrabelle, FL 32322 Apalachicola, FL 32329-0172 (850) 697-3719 (850) 653-9294 Clarence Williams P. O. Box 1001 Apalachicola, FL 32329-1001 (850) 653-8108