COMMISSIONERS CORNER

We’re well underway into the Holiday Season. I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving. Both the Cocoa Beach Art Show and the Space Coast Art Festival were complete successes, thanks to all who made it happen. The Downtown Cocoa Beach Christmas parade was well attended and enjoyed by all. By the time this is published, the Cocoa Beach Boat parade will have occurred with Christmas parties at canal homes along the route.

2015 is a very important year as we try to implement facets of our City Strategic Plan. On December 4th, other members of the Commission decided to approve the Cocoa Beach Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) and authorize City Staff to "transmit" the EAR-based Comprehensive Plan Amendments package (including the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update) to the State Department of Economic Opportunity. In my mind, there are still issues in the proposed Comprehensive Plan that address changes to how we handle variances for Height and Density that are in conflict with the 5-0 vote requirement you voted for in 2002. Please consider attending the December 18th City Commission meeting and make your voice heard during the Public Comment session. There will be only one more public hearing to approve the Comp Plan revision in the Spring of 2015.

In early 2015, the new Fire Station will be completed and occupied, the old station and the Glass Bank demolished. My focus will turn toward a much needed replacement for our outdated Police Department. Already in the works is the new sidewalk on the East side of A1A from 16th Street South to Wakulla Lane. The Minutemen Causeway Streetscape and Stormwater improvement project should be under construction by summertime.

Thank you for the honor of serving as your commissioner. Merry Christmas and have a Blessed New Year! skip williams (Email swilliams@cityofcocoabeach.com , home phone 783-1850)