The Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization, an inter-governmental agency responsible for planning for the area’s transportation needs, voted 8-4 yesterday not to participate in the Seven50 regional plan, a broad and long-range planning effort enshrouded in a cloud of controversy, at least on the Treasure Coast.
The MPO reached its split decision after hearing a nearly two-hour presentation by opponents of Seven50, including Indian River County Commission Bob Solari. Seven50’s detractors underscored their claims that local zoning and comprehensive land use regulations would be nullified by new regional guidelines. They says the result would be federal government control of local land use regulations, all of which, they contend, would eventually have to comply with the United Nations’ Agenda 21 charter for sustainability.
Seven50’s most strident critics, who have previously persuaded the Indian River County Commission and the Vero Beach City Council to withdraw from the regional planning effort, articulate a scenario in which blue-helmeted United National troops will some day descend upon unsuspecting Indian River County residents, seizing property and herding people into high-density tenements to be constructed near a new, enormous Amtrak station built to accommodate “millions” of tourists.
Other opponents of Seven50, those who do not necessarily fear an international conspiracy to force barrier island residents to live near railroad tracts, argue the plan is too broad. They contend the long-term needs of Florida’s seven southeaster counties, from Monroe County in the Keys to Indian River County, cannot possibly be balanced and accounted for in one regional plan. The three densely populated counties of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, they say, have needs and challenges far different from those of the less populated counties of Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Monroe.
Proponents of remaining part of the seven-county regional plan, including County Commission Chairman Peter O’Bryan, stress that Seven50 is a purely voluntary and cooperative effort of the Southeast Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils.
On the face of it, Seven50’s mission seems to O’Bryan and others innocuous enough: to create “a blueprint for ensuring economic prosperity and the best possible quality of life for Southeast Florida.”
The regional planning effort was funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. These federal agencies have made it clear that in the future tax dollars will be returned to communities for investment in projects that contribute to meeting larger regional needs.
Indian River Guardian 
I agree with Peter O’Bryan.
What an incredibly short-sighted and frankly, embarrassing move. God forbid that this community should participate in dialogue with other communities over common issues of transportation and resource protection. How frightening to think that we might add something to that dialog, or even worse, learn from the successes or failures of other communities. That the move was driven by fright-wing conspiracy theories makes it just plain absurd.
This would be laughable if it were not so sad. There is zero validity to any of the conspiracy theories surrounding the Seven50 initiative which is NOT a dictate from the UN. (Glenn Beck the controversial radio pundit invented this false narrative.)
It makes absolutely no sense in the 21st century in a time of constrainted budgets to not meet with and learn from other government entities facing similar challenges.
Accordinly to the mindset of those opposed to planning in a coordinated fashion, they probably do not support the fact that the School Board membership meets routinely with the School Board Association of Florida. The same could be said of those various entities working toward a regional solution to improving the Indian River Lagoon.
Peter O’Bryan is right on this issue and more people in Indian River County should be listening to him. Where;s the harm in being voluntary and cooperative in an approach to planning?.
And if you’re not at the table with Seven50 you become the entree.
Backing away from Seven50 simply puts our heads in sand.
I
What a tragedy for Indian River County and for our future! It continues to amaze me what gullible people are willing to believe.
blue helmets and what? ok I don’t care for the un but well that is a bit much. I don’t like the seven-50 over that we aren’t Miami, vero is anti growth and anti jobs other then then those that serve the wealthy retirees. so I really don’t see vero using much of that (nor county) for buiding jobs that aren’t low paying. I have been here since birth save a few years away. the same places were around then and are still here and we have a few more chain stores and restaurants for the most part.
Jason Cranman- I welcome you to call and visit the Chamber to learn about what is being dine in economic diversification and the successes of the efforts. While your statements may have been true for many years, there has been a dramatic shift in recent years. Please call us at 567-3491! Ask to speak to Helene or Penny.
I have seen it on a small scale, I do know of that, but I was alluding to the fact .the cement recycling plant was killed, and also knight/reed was ran off and is in Brevard. I know about the others small plants, but I can go to a website if you have one or call. I would like to see what is being done even if its just a start.