HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2002-05
RESOLUTION No. 2002-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA
TO ADOPT THE LAKE APOPKA BASIN MASTER
PLAN: GREENWAYS, TRAILS, RECREATION,
ECOTOURISM
WHEREAS, A private non-profit citizen advocacy group dedicated to the
restoration of Lake Apopka, the Friends of Lake Apopka, Inc. (FOLA), was formed in
1991 to:
. Halt pollution discharge into the lake,
. Promote and encourage all feasible proposals aimed at the restoration of the
Lake Apopka basin,
. Encourage local, state and federal agencies to work in cooperation toward lake
restoration,
. Promote awareness through educational activities regarding the restoration of
Lake Apopka; and
WHEREAS, FOLA, Orange and Lake Counties, the Cities of Apopka, Ocoee,
Winter Garden, Oakland, Clermont and the Town of Montverde joined together in 1999
to undertake the Lake Apopka Basin Planning Initiative and to promote regional
cooperation in the effort to restore Lake Apopka; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Apopka Basin Steering Committee, comprised of elected
officials from these jurisdictions and sponsored by the East Central Florida Regional
Planning Council (ECFRPC) with the support of FOLA and other non-profit advocacy
groups, has given oversight and guidance to the Planning Initiative; and
WHEREAS, the Steering Committee adopted a strategically oriented work
program to promote basin activities having the potential to enhance the environmental
quality and sensitive development of the basin, including nature-based tourism and
recreation; these five issues areas are: 1) Shoreline Protection, 2) Greenways and
Trails, 3) Viewsheds, 4) Public Access, 5) Natural Setting; and
WHEREAS, FOLA prepared the Lake Apopka Basin Master Plan: Green ways,
Trails, Recreation, and Ecotourism to address several issue areas of the Planning
Initiative; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Apopka Basin Master Plan: Greenways Trails, Recreation
and Ecotourism offers many benefits, including:
. Connections to the State of Florida Greenways and Trails System,
. New recreational opportunities,
. Involve residents and visitors in the State's natural heritage and beauty,
. Link natural areas and open spaces,
. Increase nature-based educational opportunities,
. Promote uses within the lake Apopka Basin that support its restoration,
. Attract Ecotourism business to the local communities around Lake Apopka; and
WHEREAS, FOLA presented the Lake Apopka Basin Master Plan to a Task
Force comprised of government agency representatives and non-profit advocacy groups
on February 7,2002, where it was approved; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Apopka Basin Steering Committee voted unanimously to
approve the Lake Apopka Basin Master Plan on March 15, 2002 and to send the Plan to
each individual jurisdiction for approval; and
WHEREAS, FOLA is requesting each local government to now adopt the Lake
Apopka Basin Master Plan, express support for the Master Plan implementation and
continue the regional cooperative efforts of the Lake Apopka Restoration; and
WHEREAS, once the Lake Apopka Basin Master Plan is approved by each
jurisdiction, Phase II - Implementation of the Master Plan will begin, including the
creation of greenway and trail design standards, conceptual site plans for each trail link,
and property acquisition efforts and ownership, with the understanding that specific
recommendations of the Master Plan will be evaluated by the City for their
implementability before the City is committed to action and also that financial resources
become available to the City of Ocoee for improvements on City property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA TO:
1. Adopt the Lake Apopka Basin Master Plan: Green ways, Trails, Recreation,
Ecotourism;
2. Direct appropriate staff to work with FOLA and their consultants on Phase II -
Implementation;
3. Fully cooperate in the regional effort with FOLA a~d the affected; government
jurisdictions to implement the Lake Apopka Basin Master Plan;
4. Participate in joint grant applications to solicit funding for Phase II -
Implementation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of May, 2002
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
~V~~
S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor ~
(SEAL)
FOR USE AND RELIANCE ONLY BY
THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA
APPROVED AS T~FORM AND
LEG~Jt.ITY this day of
,VLd..l 2002
FOLEfYLARDN~
By:1'AI r
City Attorney
APPROVED BYTHEOCOEE
CITY COMMISSION AT A
MEETING HELD ON MAY 7,
2002 UNDER AGENDA ITEM
NO. VII C