Various Islamorada advisory committee seats, which sat vacant for several months, were recently filled by village council members.
One of the more important groups within the village, the Local Planning Agency, has four returning members and three newcomers. The terms for Cheryl Culberson, James Rhyne and Lorie LaLonde don’t expire until May 2026, while Tony Hammon termed out but received a supermajority vote from council to return to the LPA. Newcomers to the group include Corie McGraw-Abel, Greg Dully and Roger Young.
Established in 2003, the LPA hears, reviews and provides recommendations to the council on proposed amendments to the village land development regulations, comprehensive plan and changes to the official zoning map. The new group convenes as the village undergoes a comprehensive plan revamp through the Miami firm Able City East.
On May 3, the new LPA gathered at the Founders Park Community Center for their first meeting together. With the appointment of a chair and vice chair also came review and discussion over a program for transfer of development rights (TDRs). The village’s comprehensive plan regulates TDRs from one parcel to another location. Recently, the council tasked staff to look at types of transfers. Per a memo, there have been requests for the transfer of existing building rights to offsite locations where there has been ongoing debate regarding classes of habitat.
As for the village’s Land Acquisition Committee, Dully, the chairman, Kelly Cox, Frank Derfler and Tammie Gurgilio all return to their seats. Newcomers include Michelle Robinson, Matt Turk, Alan Cockerham, Howie Arnold, Carolyn Ambler and Karyn Allman. The committee is tasked with issuing reports and recommendations to the council concerning the identification and prioritization of land purchases.
A Workforce/Housing Advisory Committee saw a major overhaul after seeing six vacancies, in addition to two members wishing not to be reappointed. Dully returns as well as Paige Presnell, the chair. New to the committee are Joe Babino, Dean Eakin, Scott Goss, Eddie Price, Anna Reckwerdt, Jennifer Roth, Whitney Trentine and Lee Young. The committee researches, analyzes and discusses ideas regarding the inventory and identification of existing workforce housing and affordable housing, while identifying incentives to protect a needed housing supply for the local workforce.
Council members also appointed Babino and Jason Richards as new members to the Near Shore Water Regulation Committee. Hank Pinder and Roger Young were added as new members to the Historical Preservation Commission.
