P&Z subcommittee makes a (vision) statement

The town now has a vision. It has a mission. And it has 11 core values. The Longboat Key Town Commission unanimously approved the vision statement, mission statement and core values that the Planning & Zoning Vision Subcommittee developed over the summer. But Commissioner Jack Duncan hopes they’re just the beginning.

“This is the roadmap for Longboat Key’s future,” he said.

Duncan said that the implementation of that road map is most important. Ultimately, he said, employees should see how their roles fit into those core values, and major issues addressed by the town should relate to them.

Duncan challenged the public to hold the commission and the town to the statements and values developed by the subcommittee.

“That will create a motion to the town,” he said. “We will all start moving in the right direction.”

Vision statement
“Longboat Key is a beautiful place to live, work and visit, where the natural assets of a barrier island combine with cultural and recreational amenities, visionary planning, and proactive leadership to enhance your way of life.”

Mission statement
“To vigorously maintain and preserve Longboat Key’s status as a premier residential and visitor destination that supports the historic balance between residential, recreational, tourism and commercial attributes, through a commitment to long-term and short-term planning excellence and measurable results.”

Core values
1. The governance of the town shall encourage public involvement and maintain a high-quality, stable workforce that provides excellent public services, including safety and disaster management, within a framework of sound fiscal planning.

2. The town shall support well-designed and well-maintained neighborhoods, communities and commercial areas through the regulation and enforcement of landscaping and property maintenance codes for the beautification of the island and protection of property values.

3. The town will identify and support health-care providers, adult education resources and aging-in-place facilities, which increase the ability of residents to locally access necessary services.

4. The town will strengthen the ability of businesses to thrive year-round on Longboat Key by encouraging commercial revitalization, development and maintenance through clear regulations and incentives that support long-term planning for vibrant integrated commercial centers.

5. The town will develop a Gulf of Mexico Drive corridor plan to ensure compatible development while creating attractive public spaces and sense of community.

6. The town will maintain Longboat Key as a premier vacation destination and enhance year-round tourism through continued revitalization, development and maintenance of tourism-oriented businesses and amenities such as lodging, cultural attractions, restaurants, golf courses, tennis facilities and beaches.

7. The town will maintain and improve the quality and variety of island-based recreational and educational opportunities, including a high-quality community center, and will support and promote off-island recreational, cultural and urban attractions.

8. The town will pursue long-term transit system solutions that provide reasonable travel options within the town and off-island for residents, visitors, businesses and the local workforce, while maintaining and improving traffic circulation.

9. The town will protect the islands’ invaluable natural resources through Best Management Practices (BMP) and coordinated regional solutions for water quality, green building, irrigation, energy conservation, waste management, storm water and shoreline protection.

10. The town will continually identify and pursue appropriate state-of-the-art technological infrastructures that provide competitive advantages over other island resort.

11. The town recognizes the need to provide suitable amenities for visitors and residents of all ages.