By Henry A. Stephens
staff writer
June 22, 2005

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — State Rep. Stan Mayfield expressed skepticism Tuesday about giving voters the power to approve changes to the Urban Service Area boundary.

"Philosophically, I am opposed to that sort of 'government-by-applause-meter' approach," Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, told the County Commission.

"People do have the right to make their own decisions, and they do that when they elect the five of you."

Mayfield leads the county's legislative delegation. Commissioner Gary Wheeler hopes to get the support of the delegation to win a special act from their statewide colleagues for local referendum power.

The Urban Service Area is the part of the county, mostly east of Interstate 95, within which high-density development is allowed. The county provides water and sewer lines, parks and rapid access to police and fire service in that area.

Everything outside the area is limited to wells, septic tanks and slower emergency response.

Commissioners in May hired Tallahassee attorney Bob Nabors for $25,000 to see if anything in state law would prevent the county from allowing the Urban Service Area boundary to be moved only upon voter approval.

If his research shows it's allowed, Nabors has said, he would draft a bill for a special act of the Legislature's 2006 session.

Mayfield's reluctance is a contrast from his colleague, Rep. Ralph Poppell, also R-Vero Beach, who has said he would support a local bill if the county asked for it.

Mayfield and Poppell are in the local delegation with state Sens. Mike Haridopolous, R-Melbourne, and Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie.

Before voters can approve any change to the Urban Service Area, Poppell has said, they would have to approve the creation of that power.

Now, the County Commission could change the Urban Service Area boundary, for instance shifting it west under development pressures to convert more agricultural land to residential density.

But that would require changing the county's Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Mayfield said, which already is a difficult and lengthy task with numerous hearings at state and county levels.

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