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Highlands Today

Department Of Defense Studies Area Land Use

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: January 8, 2009

SEBRING - The Department of Defense has zeroed in on growth of Highlands County and surrounding areas, as uncontrolled development could affect the military's ability to carry out its mission at the Avon Park Air Force Range.

In cases involving encroachment on military bases, the Office of Economic Adjustment undertakes a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) in cooperation with the community and the military, the Sebring City Council was informed Tuesday in a presentation.

The study will look for ways to prevent encroachment and incompatibility including zoning and land use changes, limiting development in noise-sensitive areas and aircraft approach and departure zones, and possible purchase of easements creating an aviation buffer.

The study may recommend revision of building codes to require built-in sound reduction in some construction and include real estate disclosure.

Patricia Steed, executive director with the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, which is sponsoring the study, and Lt. Col. Charles E. "Buck" MacLaughlin, the base commander, addressed the council.

There are several local governmental bodies that could approve development projects that may impact the Avon Park Air Force Range, said Steed.

They are Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola and Polk counties as well as the cities of Avon Park, Frostproof and Sebring, which all are within flight patterns of the range.

The government wants to work with these local governments, government agencies, developers, business and citizens to prevent possible problems with the Avon Park Air Force Range.

"My role here is really as an equal partner of Sebring and the other cities and counties," MacLaughlin told council members.

He explained that the 106,000-acre range is the largest training complex of its kind east of the Mississippi River, emphasizing its importance to the military.

He said they realized that the activities at the range were not always compatible with activities of the surrounding areas, but their goal is to provide world-class training to the groups who train there.

He cited a recent combined training mission several weeks ago between the state Fire Marshal's Office and the FBI, when they conducted bomb training.

"That was a large-vehicle bomb training exercise (held on Dec., 9, 10, 11) in preparation for the Super Bowl," said Sam Venzeio, spokesman for the fire marshal's office. "There were other local bomb squads there as well."

MacLaughlin told the council he did not expect any significant increases in troop deployments at the range, but more troops could be coming in on temporary assignment.

"Fifty percent of the Florida National Guard units are closer to Avon Park than Fort Blanding," MacLaughlin said. "Boots on the ground have an economic impact on the local economy.

"If we didn't have good neighbors we wouldn't be able to do what we do."

The Florida Army National Guard's primary training area is Camp Blanding, located in north-central Florida, the base Web site stated. Camp Blanding is a military installation near Jacksonville, that measures approximately 73,000 square acres.

Councilman John Griffin asked about live bombing.

It is still a viable part of the Navy's plans, MacLaughlin said, but did not believe it would create a significant increase in sound.

The study will address protecting the health, safety and welfare of the community and any incompatibility that threatens or may threaten the mission and viability of a military installation.

Ninety percent of the funding will come from the Department of Defense and 10 percent from Enterprise Florida Inc.

Enterprise Florida Inc. is a not-for-profit partnership between Florida's businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida, according to its Web Site.

A policy committee is being established including elected officials from the affected region, the range commander and state and regional officials to direct policy, study design and oversight, monitoring and report adoption.

Council appointed Mayor George Hensley to represent Sebring on the policy committee. County Commission Board Chair Barbara Stewart will represent the county's interests on the committee.

Councilman Scott Stanley was appointed to replace Jeff Carlson as the city's representative on the Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

The JLUS will receive input from the public through community meetings, newsletters, press releases, its Web site and meetings with local governmental bodies. The study generally lasts about a year.

Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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