With an election coming up and recent events in our town, the hot topic on everyone's mind is development and growth. Should we, or shouldn't we?

Following the devastation of Hurricane Charlie in 2004, a group of citizens launched an organization, the mission of which was to facilitate the development and implementation of a master plan for Punta Gorda's recovery. In 2006, TEAM Punta Gorda gifted to the City of Punta Gorda a document entitled the Citizens Master Plan. This plan represented a compendium of citizen generated ideas for the future of our city, framed by a professional design team. It became the guiding document for the revision of Punta Gorda's Land Development Regulations. While many of the recommendations of this document were accomplished in the five years following Hurricane Charley, the subsequent recession brought many plans for development to a halt. Despite these setbacks, the city kept moving forward and is the jewel that you see today. This is a testimony to strong leadership, planning and local government cooperation with community groups.

The economic climate is changing once again and development is back on the table. Economic sustainability and the development of a year-round economy are essential for our future. Our City currently has a budget deficit and needs to develop additional revenue. The City has been pursuing annexation opportunities for some time now. A promising idea was presented to City Council by Councilman Tom Cavanaugh. The proposed ordinance would increase the City's tax base by requiring annexation of properties within the City's utility service area that are currently outside the city limits, and want to receive utility services.

We've had some great recent additions to our community with Cheney Brothers and Western Michigan University establishing bases of operations nearby. These positive developments will only help us economically if we tackle the problem of affordable community housing. As we create new businesses, where will their employees live? Wouldn't it be nice to have more young, working families here to help grow our year-round economy?

In support of the great work begun by the United Way, the Homeless Coalition and the Charlotte Community Foundation, TEAM is collaborating with others in the city and county on the issues of affordable and workforce housing. Community coalitions often bring non-profits and government agencies together. While this is useful, we also need to bring builders, realtors and developers into the conversation in order to make any real progress. TEAM recently convened a seminar for those working on this challenge. Forty five representatives of organizations, government entities and business persons attended and learned strategies that have helped Pinellas County make progress in this area. TEAM Punta Gorda will serve as convener for a county-wide work-group to examine potential solutions.

We all agree that we want to preserve the special character of our town. We need the right kind of growth, and we need to manage it carefully.

Upcoming at TEAM Punta Gorda in November & December (see www.teampuntagorda.org for more information or to register for any of these events):