Full Version:
We encourage everyone to read the full version. While we did our best to summarize above, this full version offers much more nuance.
Our Vision: Preserving “Pure Florida” **
We are the Islanders. We recognize, appreciate and fully understand that we own, live on and are guardians of a chain of bridgeless barrier islands that are among the last bastions of “Pure Florida” – with a pristine environment and idyllic lifestyle. As the islands develop and our population increases, we run the risk of destroying many of these characteristics that we all believe are important. As stewards of the Island, we are committed to rising to this challenge by finding ways to accommodate island growth without forfeiting the very things that make the bridgeless barrier islands our rare and exceptional home.
1. Preservation of the environment and of our natural flora and fauna is essential to preserving our quality of life.
Our community prioritizes preserving our natural environment, including native flora and fauna, clean waterways, and open green spaces, to maintain our serene island quality of life and protect endangered species through community awareness, regulation, and encouragement of native landscaping.
2. Zoning should always be single family residential.
The island community is committed to maintaining its single-family residential zoning to preserve the current quality of life. Islanders believe that this zoning is essential for keeping the area low-density and in line with Charlotte County’s Comprehensive Plan for bridgeless barrier islands. We value the current height restrictions for their contribution to the island’s visual appeal and their role in limiting density. Islanders are opposed to any new commercial development, anticipating that it would increase density, but do appreciate the existing commercial enterprises in the areas zoned for tourism.
3. No bridge to the mainland – not now, not ever.
Islanders strongly oppose the construction of a bridge from the mainland to our island, valuing the boat-only access that defines their unique lifestyle. We appreciate the deliberate choice of living in an area with limited access, which we believe enhances the island’s charm and seclusion. This seclusion is seen as a deterrent to crime, contributing to a high quality of life. Islanders value transportation by privately owned boats or ferry services, which we see as integral to the island’s uniqueness. Limited access has created a safe, secure, quiet, and beautiful environment for living, raising children, or enjoying retirement.
4. We want to preserve the Old Florida atmosphere that drew us to the island.
We accept the sacrifice of mainland conveniences for the privacy and low-stress, quiet lifestyle that the islands offer. We maintain our unpaved roads to promote golf cart usage, to slow traffic, and to preserve the rural environment. Islanders value the lack of streetlights for the visual aesthetic and to prevent light pollution. The dark nighttime sky is crucial for protecting sea turtles during nesting season and allows us to see the Milky Way from our yards. We recognize the economic, architectural, and residential diversity as part of the island’s distinctive character. The uniqueness of this lifestyle is expected to increase property values and living costs in the future, potentially forcing out long-time residents as has been seen to happen on other barrier islands with mainland access. We hope to learn from this history to prevent similar outcomes on our island.
5. Our beaches and waterways must be actively maintained.
Our open, wide, unspoiled beaches have remained that way through diligent stewardship and low density, and islanders intend to keep them that way. Voluntary beach clean-ups, Sea Turtle Patrol and other island-generated activities all contribute to the quality of our renourished beaches. The prohibition of vehicles, campfires and fireworks on the beach helps to preserve and protect this valuable resource, both as habitat and as recreational areas. The network of pristine canals that provides access to our homes also provides our recreation. We value the activities our beaches and canals afford us – all environmentally compatible and in tune with the Island.
6. The combination of individual privacy and a strong sense of community is meaningful on the Island.
Islanders have a profound respect for individual privacy while at the same time demonstrating great generosity, combining to create the “island spirit”. Our sense of community extends to our neighbors and to the natural environment in which we all live. We value the community events that provide opportunities for islanders to connect with their neighbors and applaud the volunteer organizations that sponsor these activities. We value our essential services like Fire & EMS, CCSO and ferry emergency responses, and recognize the continuing need to monitor the enforcement of local regulations in order to sustain our quality of life.
Looking towards the future, Islanders need to take steps together to work towards progressive autonomy in all things related to the Island. In this way, we may leave a legacy of natural beauty and quality of life that is “the Island,” so that generations of future islanders may continue to enjoy the environment and lifestyle that we enjoy today.
** NOTE: The geographical area to be specifically addressed and served by the neighborhood plan encompasses Knight Island, Thornton Key, the Palm Island Resort and a portion of Don Pedro Island and is comprised of the area on the bridgeless Barrier Islands bordered on the North by Stump Pass, and on the South by Don Pedro State Park. This area is commonly referred to as “the Island” by homeowners, property owners and residents.
