Camp Blanding buffer?

wwife, you can contact Commissioner Stewart at Chereese.Stewart@co.clay.fl.us or Planning Director Mike Kloehn at 284-6301 and you'll be able to get the specifics about the buffer zone.

In general, though, the buffer zone is a requirement of the state for inclusion in the county's Comprehensive Land-Use Plan.  There must be an agreement that protects the military installation from the county changing the Comp Plan and allowing something to be built that would be detrimental to the military camp.  The county won't be allowed to change agricultural-zoned land in the buffer zone to accommodate, for example, the desire of Walt Disney's grandchildren to built the world's tallest roller coaster in Camp Blanding's flight path.

There are some less obvious examples of possible conflicts.  Cell phone service in that part of the county is random.  Sometime, somewhere down there, a tower needs to be constructed to improve that service for local residents.

There are some residents, and the County Commission itself, that want to make sure they do not cede any of their land rights or authority.  That has a lot to do with the decision to hold the public hearings Commissioner Stewart will conduct.

Hope this helps a little.

Michael S. Mann

michaelsmann@comcast.net

Okay. Great! Thanks.  That makes sense.

Here is the longer story published April 3:
BETH REESE CRAVEYMy Clay Sun
A public meeting will be held this month about a proposed Clay County ordinance protecting Camp Blanding from incompatible land uses nearby.

But county officials are still debating just how much protection is warranted.

"What's compatible? That's subjective," said County Commission Chairman George Bush. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

The state-mandated ordinance, he said, must also protect the needs of the county, the prospect of future development or other economic opportunities in the area and neighboring property owners.

"We have to be mindful ... of who's really in charge," he said. "Restrictions could be economically disadvantageous [to the county]."

The Florida National Guard uses the state-owned 72,500-acre military reservation in Clay and Bradford counties for all sorts of exercises, including artillery practice and flight training. Some of the exercises are during the day and some are at night.

The ordinance would ensure Guard input on rezonings and comprehensive land use plan amendments proposed within a 3-mile radius of the base, designated as the "Camp Blanding Military Zone." The Guard will have no veto power, but will advise county officials and prospective developers on how proposed residential, commercial or industrial projects could impact base operations - and how base operations could impact those projects.

County planners have discussed the ordinance with Guard officials, who have acknowledged that the once rural area surrounding Camp Blanding is developing but want to make sure operations continue safely and without interference.

To get input from neighboring property owners and the general public, the county has scheduled an April 17 meeting. Commissioner Chereese Stewart, whose district includes base property, said more meetings could be held if necessary.

"If we get the information out to folks, a lot of their questions may be answered," she said. "We want to make sure the policy is the best it can be for our citizens."

In addition to requiring Guard notification about rezonings and comprehensive plan amendments, the proposed ordinance would:

- Restrict non-agricultural building heights within the zone to 35 feet above ground level.

- Limit cell phone towers within the zone to "monopoles," or single tube towers, not exceeding 30 feet above adjacent tree lines or 100 feet if there are no adjacent tree lines. Cell phone towers will be banned within the base's designated flight approach zones. Cell towers shall not be allowed if the Guard insists they would "constitute an unacceptable encroachment and interference with safe operations," the ordinance said.

- Limit artificial lighting, floodlights, search lights or any lighting that would mislead pilots operating within the zone. Lighting plans would be required prior to building permits being issued.

- Require "avigation," or aerial navigation, easements for all new development within the zone.

- Require disclosure forms about the zone to be filed with all subdivision plans and be part of planned unit developments and other zoning actions within the zone.

- Include a Camp Blanding representative as an ex officio member of the county Planning Commission, which advises the County Commission.

Want to know more?

The public meeting about the Camp Blanding ordinance will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at McRae Elementary, 6770 County Road 315, off Florida 16 north in Keystone Heights. Once finalized, the ordinance will be posted at www.claycountygov.com.

Thanks Beth!

So, I still have some questions about this.  First, why the 35 feet rule?  Aircraft cannot fly below 500 feet, so why wouldn't I be able to build a 3 story house on my property?  Second, if I want to sell property I've owned for over 25 years will I have to have the  "deed disclosure" ?  If the answer is yes, why?  The fact that Camp Blanding is there cannot be missed by anyone who can read or hear.  Third, if they want to essentially annex our property, why don't they just purchase it because by annexing it (which is really what this buffer zone is all about) our property values will go south really quickly! 

I don't know about y'all, but once the government gets their hands in something it never ends there - I'm afraid this is just the beginning of something.  I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but we bought land out here and lived on it for 25 plus years knowing that Camp Blanding was there.  It was a good investment and we counted on selling it for our retirement.  Now this "buffer zone" and all the implications of it can do nothing but devalue all of our land.  Why fix what isn't broken?

I just found some new information that you should be aware of - this has been going on since 2004 - please see

http://www.myflorida.com/myflorida/cabinet/agenda04/0226/trans.html

Starting about 1/4 down the page, Item 5 is where this buffer zone business takes shape.

Last time I checked, airplanes get down to 0 feet AGL when they land. Also, there are a lot of helicopters out there that fly lower than 500 feet AGL when they are training. 

Link to Roll back BCC from 5+2 TO 5

http://24.23.126.8/

Mike Heemer

I spoke with my Husband regarding your concerns. He has expertise in this field as he was the individual who founded the ACUZ (Air Compatibility Use Zone)program that resulted from a situation at the Willow Grove Airport in Pennsylvania. The FAA adopted this program, HUD and VA use this program to determine whether or not they will finance properties located in these areas and it is still in use to this day.  He is the resason why there are specific construction requirements for homes around these areas and why homes and schools are no longer built at the end of runways. 

What was all behind that was development and corruption and two County Commissioners and one other high ranking Official that I cannot remember the title to went to jail over this after the FBI got involved.  Unfortunately there were children in a daycare center too close to the Airport killed by a plane crashing on top of them before it was achieved.

He said the reason for that 35' restriction may be due to the helicopters that fly in and out of Camp Blanding.  His suggestion to you in order to investigate what is going on is to research the land in the area to see if it's being bought up, by who and who are they connected to.  Often, in times like this values are purposely driven down to acquire land at a cheaper price.  Homeowners in fear of how far their values will drop will often sell out very cheaply.

I know Kingsley Lake was closed down for development plans.  I know this because I personally know one of the business Partners who sold out to the other because he had no interest in development.

If you will open your email, and send me one I will respond with my Husbands email address and phone numbers if you would like to speak with him.  He said he would be glad to speak with you and offer what advice he can.

http://24.23.126.8/ Petition for choice in Nov.