The meeting was called to order by Cathy Probst at 6:30 p.m.
Cathy informed the committee members and audience of the binders containing Real Estate history and information for specific communities, an album containing photos of communities as well as the book Best Development Practice by Reid Ewing. These items will be available at each meeting for review. Nat Roberts mentioned that if any committee member would like information added or photos taken of something specific, to contact Cathy Probst.
The minutes from the February 24, 2005 meeting were reviewed. No changes were made and they were approved by the committee.
Committee members in attendance included:
Leah Schad, Chair
Cathy Probst, Support Staff
Keith Shivers
Debbie Baj
Winston Crosbie
Jane Vickers
Ralph Bair
Robert Trepp
Dave Self
Josh Gentry
Lucius Wilcox
Mike Sexton
Rosa Durando
Also in attendance were Nat Roberts, James Dubois and Mark Dubois of Callery Judge Grove.
Winston Crosbie requested an Assistant Chair be designated in the absence of Chair Schad. Cathy Probst was nominated and approved as Assistant Chair.
Nat Roberts briefly introduced Howard Searcy as an engineer specializing
in drainage operations and Pat Painter, resident of Loxahatchee Groves,
who specializes in restoring wetlands and will discuss regional water issues.
Mr. Searcy presented the history of water flow and drainage in Palm Beach
County. He also discussed the Callery land and drainage using a site plan
of the property. He explained the existence of the Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan (CERP) which will put more water and better water into
the overall system. He reviewed Callery’s current plan of water management
and the future water filtration system. He showed how connected waterway
systems will produce flood control and water quality with approximately
600 acres of waterway. The property will serve dual functions with local
runoff and remove phospherous with the use of vegetation to produce high
water quality which will serve the development and the region surrounding.
Also, Mr. Searcy relayed that Callery Judge’s plan is different because they asked how they could do more in terms of the basics (exfiltration, retention and detention) rather than simply satisfying minimum requirements for X amount of building structure. The waterway plan offered by the Callery Judge Grove consultants is very unique in that it blends solutions for a public need into a private property owner’s plan; in a sense the Callery Judge Grove plan has gone off of the property itself and into the entire region as a solution builder towards a regional need and problem. It will take extra effort to build and manage this system, the end result of the extra effort is a system balancing that private property owners (except CJG) simply don’t get into. Usually the property needed for such projects has to be purchased outright by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). In this case, SFWMD does not have to buy property to get regional benefit and management.
Pat Painter reviewed western community drainage more specifically. He indicated that Callery’s plan has dual discharge which will improve drainage in the region. The overall water management is still being discussed and will be coordinated with various agencies. Mr. Painter indicated that habitats are very much a part of the water level and slope where specific varieties have their own best habitat at a specific range of water level. It’s a positive feedback loop whereby making the water better also makes for a more diverse habitat.
Mr. Searcy, Mr. Painter and Nat Roberts all answered questions asked by the audience and committee members relating to water issues such as management, reuse, storm water, and flooding discharge
Chair Schad indicated the next meeting is scheduled for April 28th and the topic to be discussed is Social Infrastructure. Social Infrastructure includes needs in recreation, education, religious, social services, geriatric, environmental/science, etc. The question to be asked and answered is what do we want Callery to provide in its plan for future needs in our region?
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
