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New development in Charlotte County. Photo/Mark Brennan

Researchers Look at Growth Pressures
on Florida Counties

By Patricia Casey

In response to Florida's exploding population growth, UF researchers studied the impacts of growth pressure in four counties and looked at ways local communities can positively contribute to sustainable natural resource use and planning. The research was funded in part by the School of Natural Resources and Environment Mini-grant Program.

According to the U.S. Census, Florida's growth rate was almost double that of the entire United States between 2000 and 2003. As a result, many counties are struggling to keep up with the pace.

"Because the growth is so overwhelming and so fast, most counties are just putting out fires rather than attempting any serious planning," said Mark Brennan, project leader and assistant professor in the Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences.

Using state and county census data, Brennan selected Charlotte, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Wakulla counties as areas representing the social, economic, and growth conditions facing the entire state.

Brennan's research team conducted interviews with local officials, residents, activists, community organizations, and service providers in each county to assess attitudes and opinions about the impacts of growth in their communities.

"Since these counties are experiencing a 'boom' well after some of the other areas of Florida, they have the potential advantage of learning from communities that have already experienced the pressures of rapid growth," Brennan said.

Although each of the four counties has a unique set of circumstances, many common trends emerged. These characteristics could also be applied to other parts of the country experiencing dramatic population growth:

• A need for infrastructure to expand at the same rate as population growth, including water, roads, schools, community services, waste management, and mass transit;
• A need for an increase in affordable housing for the workforce;
• A need to consider and manage the environmental effects (land, animals, waterways) of growth and development;
• A need for preservation, 'smart growth,' conservation, and sustainable efforts to balance growth and natural resource demands; and
• A need for a broad-based community contribution to planning, regulation, and development.

Brennan's next study will consist of community surveys and questionnaires with local residents and developers to help facilitate a dialogue.

"There is a need for residents and developers to communicate, and there exists a good amount of willingness among the different groups to talk to each other," he said.

As Brennan's research develops further, he hopes the information will serve county government officials in their plans for addressing growth. Also county extension agents could benefit from the information to help them conduct training and outreach for residents.

Brennan said leaders in county extension recognize the importance of engaging residents and believe that once residents realize they can play a role and cause significant change, they do take action. In each of the counties, some residents have already formed citizen grassroots groups.

"Residents are taking on more responsibility but haven't made a jump into local decision and policy-making. That's where they could make a difference," Brennan said.

"The collaboration of government, businesses, developers, and residents is vital to smart and strategic growth," he said. "Growth can take place in a manageable way if we do something about it now."

Four Counties: A Complex Set of Problems

Residents in the four counties surveyed by Mark Brennan's research team are dealing with many complex issues. Each county faces unique challenges resulting from population growth.

Real estate is sold before storm debris can be removed from the lots. Photo/Mark Brennan Charlotte County The county is coping with tremendous growth as it rebuilds after the 2004 Hurricane Charley disaster. Brennan said that many thought the hurricane would cause people to leave, but instead people came to the county to buy real estate before storm debris had been removed from the lots. Some residents lost their jobs after the hurricane and sought work in other areas or left because affordable housing was lost. Now residents fear that the county will lose its citizens who are retired and on a fixed income. Many of these residents are the most active in grassroots groups and may not be able to match the rising costs of living.

Highway and bridge expansion in St. Johns County. Photo/Mark Brennan St. Johns County Residents expressed concerns about their agricultural areas, the impact of gentrification, and the preservation of the historic city of St. Augustine, according to Brennan's findings. Rising land values have enticed many farmers to parcel their land or sell off the entire farm to developers. Gentrification-the rehabilitation of a deteriorated neighborhood by new residents who are wealthier than the long-time residents-usually causes an increase in housing prices and leads to the displacement of the original residents. Gentrification within the city and of coastal property is eliminating affordable workforce housing and pushing development into agricultural lands.

Construction under way in St. Lucie County. Photo/Mark Brennan St. Lucie County Brennan found that the county, along Florida's prized "treasure coast," offered affordable land, accessibility from most locations, and prime beachfront location. However, few regulations on land use and no plan for strategic development resulted in massive residential sprawl throughout the county, and the local ecology changed dramatically. Long-time St. Lucie County residents want to preserve the county's "ruralness" as the population grows. County officials plan to focus development and create a research park to increase high-end jobs. However, the movement from an agricultural economy toward an information economy will require an investment in more infrastructure.

The construction of a Wal-Mart has caused controversy among Wakulla County residents. Some say they are eager to shop closer to home, and the Wal-Mart will bring more jobs although they admit some small stores may go out of business. Others are trying to protect the sinkhole located in front of the parking lot (wooded area on right). Photo/Cathy Frank, Wakulla County Extension Service Wakulla County Many long-time residents have made their living from fishing, but this is changing as coastal fishing villages are marketed as the "Forgotten Coast," Brennan said. Long-time residents have enjoyed coastal living, the simplicity of small-town life, and the natural beauty of rivers, springs, bays, and the Gulf of Mexico. These qualities have attracted many newcomers. Long-time residents and newcomers often view the development of Wakulla County from different perspectives. One long-time resident commented that the newcomers moved here, but now they do not want anyone else to come. Long-time residents, however, welcome the new growth and economic opportunities. Dozens of new subdivisions are emerging all over the county, and some long-time residents can not resist the chance to sell their land for huge profits. The increase in population and corresponding construction poses a threat to the water supply as well. Wakulla County has a vast quantity of saltwater that could infiltrate the aquifer if the fresh water resources become depleted.

Web Resource
Growth Management, Sustainability, and Community Well-Being in Rural Florida: A Pilot Study

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