Town clerk asks Hardee board to appoint district rep to planning-and-zoning meetings

At the Jan. 22 meeting, Susie Williamson, town clerk of Zafo Springs, told the Hardee County School Board that the town’s planning and zoning code calls for a five-member board and includes a non-voting school district representative for matters that could increase residential density near schools. Williamson said appointing a representative would allow the district to receive agendas and determine when attendance is needed to address safety, transportation and enrollment implications.

"One of my duties is to be over the planning and zoning board ... the planning and zoning board shall include a representative of the school district appointed by the school board as a non-voting member to attend those meetings at which the board considers comprehensive plan amendments and rezonings that would ... increase residential density," Williamson said. She cited a recent nearby housing project (referred to in the meeting as "Casa San and Palo") as an example of development that could bring more children close to an elementary school and called for better early coordination.

Board members noted an existing district representative present in the audience; Williamson offered to send agendas to that representative or to provide contact information so the district can decide which meetings require attendance. No formal board action was taken at the meeting on this request.