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community at-large,” expressed Rob Merrell of local law firm Cobb Cole, who Chaired the VCARD Committee that reviewed Daytona Beach’ s land development code.“ It’ s certainly one of our proudest accomplishments.”
The decisions made about where we build, what we build and how we build literally become the community in which we live. For all of us, there is a vested interest in the answer to these questions. For employers, the connection to a thriving community with excellent quality of life has residual benefits with attracting and retaining top talent. For residents, there is a more obvious desire for access to diverse dining options and recreation and entertainment venues. So the dialogue about where, what, and how we build is critical to our own present comfort and enjoyment. Developing sustainably also considers the future comfort and enjoyment of generations to come.
Land development professionals number over 1,600 employees at over 300 establishments in Volusia County, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This includes architectural and engineering services, geophysical surveying and mapping services, land subdivision, and site preparation contractors. Their expertise is necessary to address intractable problems like how to accommodate future growth without compromising the environment. With the economy recovering from the Great Recession and growth on the rise, an organization dedicated to responsible development remains essential to creating livable, vibrant places. The work of development professionals is visible in all areas where we carry out our dayto-day lives. And the result of this work is liable to be called to account by future generations.
The future of sustainable land development is replete with as many challenges as there is opportunity. Hot issues such as climate change, global warming, sea level rise( particularly for a coastal community), and environmental protection are worthy of examination and discussion as each item impacts how we decide to grow. VCARD is up for the task of continuing to facilitate dialogue around emerging trends that will invariably shape the road ahead. Intrinsic to VCARD’ s philosophy is a belief that through convening and education we create answers.
Kerry Karl is the Executive Director for the Volusia County Association for Responsible Development( VCARD), an organization dedicated to affecting positive outcomes for the development in Volusia and Flagler Counties. Kerry spent 10 years in economic development prior to taking the helm at VCARD.
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