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Swain Helped Write Plan, Now Focuses On Following It

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

KEYSTONE - Laura Swain served for four years on the Hillsborough County Planning Commission, helping write the language for rural design standards.

"It took years," Swain said. She praised the comprehensive plan that serves as a blueprint for growth, but she said getting the county to implement it is always a sticking point.

"We have a great comprehensive plan, but lousy implementation," she said. "It's always one step forward and two steps back."

"There's always a loophole and a variance process."

She said she brings a historical perspective on how the county operates to U-CAN. She is a charter member and active with the Keystone Civic Association and the Sierra Club.

She has been involved in disputes with county officials over borrow pits, commercial encroachment, increased density and comprehensive plan amendments.

Swain and others in her community also have fought for water rights and buffers protecting residences from commercial encroachment and against projects they believe compromise their country lifestyle.

She said the county tried to put a landfill in an area with connecting lakes, but the community fought back.

"The developers finally got tired of us," she said, "and moved on to south county."

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