- April 24, 2024
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Dear Editor:
The recent discussion by the Palm Coast City Council on possible changes in the building and landscaping requirements for new city businesses is a topic that needs careful consideration prior to any actions by the board.
When residents and travelers drive down the main boulevards of any city, the physical appearance is what sets one community apart from another and is a reflection of community character. The landscaping of the major roadways defines the value placed on those attributes by the residents of the community. This, in turn, develops a sense of pride in one’s hometown which reflects values that result in good neighbors and higher levels of civic involvement shown to even lower crime rates.
Palm Coast government is way too cozy with the builders and developers.
The mayor and City Council acknowledged the great value of beautification when they voted to build the new City Hall so residents would have a facility to be proud to visit. With new businesses pouring into town, home construction up, and unemployment down, this is not the time to be lowering community beautification standards for anyone’s benefit.
Utilizing the worn-out scare tactic of claiming that businesses won’t come to our city because of landscaping requirements is really an insult to our intelligence. Businesses open here or anywhere because they can make a profit by selling a product or service.
Palm Coast government is way too cozy with the builders and developers. They really need to level the playing field by giving an equal amount of time to the rest of us. There are many other voices who speak for a majority of this community that are just not being heard. True leadership involves listening to all and not just the special, vested interests.
Jeffery C. Seib
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
How did I know, within a few paragraphs, who/what was going to be behind this assault on what distinguishes Palm Coast as one of the most beautiful, charming, best managed cities in Florida?
I was not surprised to see Tea Party NRA fave Councilman Steve Nobile promoting Flagler County Association for Responsible Development, aka the development industry in Flagler County, which took a substantial hit in the downturn, bow trying to make up for lost revenue — by making our beautiful city bend to their wishes.
These are the same people who bemoaned spending money on beautiful medians and not hiring the cheapest maintenance company when the proven superior company was selected.
I think we’ve suffered enough with Ted Cruz Tea Party government shut down and complete stand still in Congress since the 2010 Tea Party rabid antiestablishment takeover. Spare the city of Palm Coast a similar fate.
Bonnie Bellin
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
Three times this year, I have contacted the city of Palm Coast for assistance on various issues involving zoning, trash and safety. In every instance, I have received a near immediate acknowledgement of my email request. I have been copied on emails as the concern was delegated to the appropriate staffer, and follow-up emails on progress.
Each issue reached a successful resolution in four days or less.
My sincere compliments to City Manager Jim Landon and his entire staff for their responsiveness and professionalism with this resident's concerns.
Greg Feldman
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
It has been agonizing to watch the old courthouse building discarded and tossed back and forth like an old football!
The average citizen had no say-so in the fact that this grand old building, built by artisans of a by-gone era was to be demolished, sold to almost anyone that would take it, used for a commercial building and split up into leased spaces, or worse. We have all watched the progress in the Palm Coast Observer.
Every time I go into one of these grand old buildings, be it a court house, library or old church, I look with awe at the grandeur with which they were built by our grandfathers.
So now, thankfully, this splendid old reminder of our glorious past has landed in the hands of a group of people, the First Baptist Church of Palm Coast, who have worked, saved and fought to provide a sanctuary for the youth of our community!
Bravo!
It will still be there on U.S. 1 in Palm Coast for all of us to view with pride.
Carol Propper
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
I am alarmed at the work being done on Palm Coast Parkway. Direct access to PCP eastbound has been eliminated. The crossover to CVS is eliminated. Anyone wanting to travel PCP eastbound to the toll bridge or Colbert directly from Publix, Starbucks, Mobil or Wells Fargo must travel to the busy intersection with Old Kings Road to make a U-turn. The alternatives are round-about routes to reach Old Kings Road or Florida Park Drive.
The right lane of PCP westbound is very dangerous at Wells Fargo. The curb and sidewalk have been bumped out into what should and could be a traffic lane to make way for a street light.
I foresee many accidents as cars swerve into traffic to avoid the curb. Cars that hit the curb are going to damage their suspensions. Pedestrians on the walk may be hit. The curb will be virtually invisible on a wet night. Now is the time to fix this by moving the light and straightening the curb and walk.
Ed Klebacha
Palm Coast
