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published: Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Commissioners vote no on Eagle Training Center

By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

SEBRING -- After 11 hours of testimony and public input, Highlands County Commissioners unanimously turned down the rezoning request for Eagle National Security Training Center.

The board met all day Tuesday to hear testimony and public input on the proposed military facility in what Chairperson Barbara Stewart called a "quasi-judical" public hearing where hundreds were sworn in by Clerk of Courts Bob Germaine to give testimony.

All 200 seats inside the commission chambers and more than 50 chairs outside in the foyer were filled to give that testimony.

Stewart stated that she wanted the lengthy process so that "all the facts would come out" about the development.

Emotions were charged in the audience as the line grew to give statements about the lifestyle changes the training center would bring.

"This is wrong," said Venus resident Randy Miller before the commission voted.

"The people in Venus don't want this. Are you just gonna shove this down our throats? Do the right thing and vote the will of the people in Venus, let our voices be heard," Miller said.

Residents told stories how they purchased land in the Venus area in order to get a quieter and more peaceful life, and to escape urban sprawl.

Many of the residents also wanted to voice their concerns over property values, noise pollution and the need to share the burden of providing services to the new facility that will house several hundred families and over 1,000 trainees.

"Don, you better stand up for us," Venus resident Don Stabler stressed as he shook his finger at commissioner Don Bates.

"We want a peaceful life, so wake up commissioners, and stand up for your people, not the people who want to come in form the outside and make money," Stabler said.

Several times Stewart warned the crowd to refrain from applauding as residents made their statements.

But the clapping continued.

According to several of the commissioners, too many issues about the rezoning went unanswered during the testimony marathon.

The environmental questions raised by opponents of the center were answered clearly by Bert J. Harris, attorney for Eagle, and a stream of "experts" who pointed out that the site would have very little impact on Fisheating Creek or Lake Okeechobee, but many zoning issues and specific questions about the type of training could not be answered clear enough for commissioners.

In response to questions from James Lobozzo, the attorney for Ellen Petterson and Save Our Creeks, County Planner Don Hannah admitted that the proposed airstrip and firing range were not consistent with the requested agricultural zoning.

When asked if airstrips and firing ranges were usually zoned for heavy industry, Hannah answered yes, but claimed that agricultural zoning was considered because live-fire ranges were considered for skeet shooting.

"So you are telling me that they will be shooting skeet with .50 calibers?" Lobozzo asked.

Commissioners were unable to get definite answers to questions about inspections, flight paths and the size of airplanes that could use the proposed 6,000-foot runway and were hesitant to give their blessing in the face of so many unanswered questions even though Hannah stated that the county would rely on code enforcement to enforce the county's rules.

Although it was unclear at the end of the meeting if the applicant, Southern Farms, would submit another zoning request, despite the controversy, the developer Greg Eagle may try again in a nearby county.

Commissioner Guy Maxcy stated during the early part of the meeting that "I talked the other day to a commissioner from DeSoto county, and he said that if we turned this down, they would like a shot at it."