2007 HCCC GOALS

The HCCC Executive Committee (EXCOM) has composed a list of goals that we believe we should strive to achieve in 2007. The list is not exhaustive, nor are our proposals on how to achieve them, and we will expect further suggestions and proposals from the membership as we go through the year.

These goals, therefore, are a work in progress and will be continually expanding throughout the year, with some added and some eventually declared accomplished.

Marineland Annexation. Our greatest challenge this year will be our continued effort to provide a referendum for the registered voters to decide the best governance for the Hammock. In the 2006 Referendum, Hammock registered voters resoundingly established that they did not want the island to be annexed by the City of Palm Coast. Options left to us are either stay unincorporated solely under the County, incorporate a Hammock town, or annex to the Town of Marineland. In 2006 our desire to protect our quality of life and our disappointment in County decisions affecting our future, prompted the HCCC membership to vote overwhelmingly to continue studying the process of annexation to Marineland. Our efforts to achieve this set of goals rest in the hands of the Hammock-Marineland Unity Political Committee ("the Unity Committee"), an independent group of citizens now working to bring about the annexation of the Hammock by Marineland. Marineland has approved an annexation resolution; the next step is the referendum to ratify or reject the resolution; and, if ratified, the new town will establish its municipal government. HCCC will work to assist the Unity Committee in any way it can without violating HCCC’s legal obligations under its special tax status. One task HCCC can perform is to set up and manage the referendum that will be held, if all goes well, before the year is out.

County Government. In order to improve communication with the BOCC (Board of County Commissioners) the Executive Committee will over the coming year schedule meetings with individual commissioners. We will work with the County and other governmental entities for solutions to pressing problems within the community, particularly the long-neglected Marineland Acres drainage

County Greenway Land Swap. In January, 2007 a developer proposed to BOCC a swap of Greenway land adjacent to SR A1A for commercially-zoned land on SR100 in an effort to save ancient oaks there. The A1A land was originally deeded by ITT to the county for public use and is part of the Malacompra Greenway. While we applaud the county's effort to preserve the SR100 trees, we question setting the precedent of sacrificing other public lands to do so.

Growth Management. Even if we establish our own municipal government, we will not immediately have the resources necessary to take on our own growth management program. From now until creation of our own city government, and for some time thereafter, we will have to rely on the county to perform that task. It is therefore important that we continue to do what we can to keep tabs on the county planning process. The county should produce a thorough update to the 1987 Comprehensive Land Use Plan and zoning code, both of which are disorganized, out-of-date, and ineffectual. The county's past approach to development has been to approve all requested changes to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map unless there is significant opposition. A better approach, which is also legally defensible, is to only change the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map if there is a compelling need. We will be exploring ways on how we can contribute to updating the county’s land use program as it applies to the Hammock. In the meantime, there are things we can do on a somewhat smaller scale. The EXCOM proposes that we take the following steps: request that the Planning Board and BOCC should restore accountability for zoning and land use decisions by justifying such decisions against established criteria that are supposed to govern the process. We will request of Milissa Holland, our representative on the BOCC, that she intercede with the Board to ensure that it takes the County Plan and codes seriously and hold community meetings in the process of updating the plan and codes. The HCCC’s land use advocacy would be done in close coordination with A1A Pride to supplement this group’s already crucial role in the process. We would expect this procedure to sharpen the County’s attention to development regulations.

Sheriff’s Department. Even though a sheriff’s office has been established here, we remain underserved by county law enforcement agencies. The new office is staffed only by volunteers and very much on a part-time basis. We will work to upgrade this coverage. We should also discuss with the county the pros/cons of stationing the county ICW boat at Bing’s Landing with this substation serving as its base.

County Parks Department. Two years ago the county took out of our hands responsibility for cleaning our community center. Its cleanliness now leaves much to be desired. We will be working on ways to ensure that the county does better in the future. The bike path along A1A has become less safe because some overhanging trees are in poor condition and need to be pruned. However this work should be done carefully so as not to harm the beautiful tree canopy and to allow younger trees to grow taller, since the older trees will eventually die. We will also need to monitor planning and implementation of the changes going on in Malacompra Park.

Working with Palm Coast. Monitor construction by city water services of the mainline sewer along A1A to ensure that environmental standards are met and unsightly fixtures are hidden by landscaping.

Working With Other Civic Organizations. We multiply our influence when we are able to work with other civic organizations to achieve our goals. Scenic A1A PRIDE is an acronym for "promoting rational integration of development and environment." PRIDE has received significant public funding in support of its efforts to preserve and beautify the A1A corridor in Flagler County. Its stature is such that it has been recognized by the county as one of the organizations that must examine development in the corridor. We will continue to coordinate closely with this group. Hammock Women’s Association. We will publicize their September through May meetings on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM, their membership drive, and their yearly funds drive for a need based scholarship for a Hammock student. Hammock Community Day. We will support by selling tickets, participating as an organization, and providing publicity. Friends of Washington Oaks State Park. We will continue to support the Friends of Washington Oaks Earth Day event by helping to publicize it and providing an HCCC booth. A1A Cleanup. Under auspices of the State Department of Transportation and in conjunction with Matanzas Shores Women’s Club, we will carry out quarterly cleanup of debris from the right of way of A1A.

Community Building Activities. Last, but certainly not least, we are what we are today because of our work in the past to build a sense of community. That will remain a top priority. We will continue to ensure our membership is well informed on political and community issues and urge them to be ready to express their preferences. We will continue to sponsor social events that bring us together. And we will always be on the lookout to find ways that we can strengthen our organization and community.