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Washington Loop Homeowners Preservation Association, Inc.

a not-for-profit corporation

PO Box 512132

Punta Gorda, Florida  33951-2132

[Membership and Petition Forms for WLHPA]

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The WLHPA N E W S L E T T E R - May 2008

You can be proud! Thanks to you and your participation; physically and financially, Charlotte County now has the workings of a decent mining zoning ordinance and a process for future mine applicants that requires study and common sense rules to protect neighbors and environment.

Some History - Why WLHPA and WHAM?

The Washington Loop Homeowners Preservation Association was originally formed to protect local residents of the entire area against a flood of dirt mine applications. It also had a broader purpose- looking to preserving the future. It soon became evident that to fight the deep pockets of the mine applicants, we needed both legal and expert ecological assistance. This required raising more funds than original dues and donations could handle. A separate fund-raising group- Washington Loop Homeowners Against Mining formed specifically to handle fund-raising for the imminent mining hearings.

Where We Are Today.....

Charlotte County has finally passed a Zoning ordinance relating specifically to future applicants for mines. On April 15, 2008, Charlotte County BCC voted 5-0 to change the text of Policy 2.2.18 of the Future Land Use Element of the 1997-2010 Comprehensive Plan.  This change creates a new designation called Mineral Resource Extraction. 

 The new zoning district (approved of in a unanimous vote on 11-27-2007 by BCC) allows Group III Excavations, only on land zoned Excavation and Mining (EM).  This is a direct result of our two organization's efforts, one-to-one meetings with commissioners, the petition, going forward and speaking out at public hearings of the BCC, getting newspaper articles, and our on-going battles with Triple D and South Loop Fill Pit. 

While Group III Excavations can still be located on land zoned AG/AE owners must first seek approval from the Zoning & Planning Board and also the Board of County Commissioners and have their land re-zoned to EM. 

As of this writing, the County has denied the Triple D application and is fighting a mediation of that decision.

WE did this with support from the Sierra Club and the Nature Conservancy of S. Florida, and mostly because of YOU… what an opposing attorney humorously called a "small but vocal group of Washington Loop Home Owners" . Not just W.Loop! Adjacent residents joined in with funds, -and manpower for our petition drive. It’s rewarding to see what a difference WE can make if the effort is there.

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Goals for the future of the Washington Loop area*

· First Anniversary coming up. While the actual incorporation date was Sept. 7, 2007, members were meeting and presenting at commission meetings in late June and early July of 2007.

· Need for continuing annual dues. Right now the treasury is just about depleted, with funds for minor operating expenses only. Most of your dues and contributions went to legal fees, and that effort has certainly paid off.

· Contributions are still needed, and there will be a request for membership renewals and dues in September. The mine fight isn’t over.

Ideas from members

It is our not our intention to make the W. Loop area into a deed-restricted type of neighborhood, but we still have to be vigilant when a misuse of the Agricultural Estates Zoning intent arises that can change the nature of the area. How can this organization help maintain and improve our country lifestyle? For instance, how about watershed signs for Shell, Prairie, & Myrtle Creeks & Hathaway Park? Let’s hear from you!

President: Jim Story E-Mail:_______________ Phone: ___________________

VP & Newsletter editor: Rick Fried: E-Mail: rickfried2@earthlink.net

Phone: 941-637-8805

Contributing editors: Lawrence Martin, Andrea Story

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