Living in Charlotte County, Florida, we've seen the direct impact of storm surge on floodplain areas. Our community, like many others in the coastal regions, relies on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that offers crucial discounts to homeowners. These discounts help make flood insurance affordable, even more so in an area that has endured multiple hurricanes over the past five years.  

Now, there's a proposal underway to rezone residential floodplain for commercial use. This move is alarming and poses a severe threat to our community's safety and financial stability. The rezoning of a Special Flood Hazard Area to allow for a high-density commercial development will result in a review of the NFIP discount given to Charlotte County residents.  The rezoning effort appears to be a blatant abuse of power and resembles what is known as 'spot zoning,' where changes are made for particular land uses that benefit a few, often disregarding the broader community interests.

Converting these residential zones into commercial areas means increasing development density, which will elevate the landscape and potentially exacerbate flooding issues. For a community already vulnerable to severe weather events, further increasing the flooding potential is not just irresponsible but dangerous.

We are calling on our local officials to prioritize the safety and well-being of current Charlotte County residents. From a discussion with a FEMA official on 5/1/25, the rezoning of our floodplain puts us at risk of reducing or losing NFIP discounts, essential protections that many families rely on for financial security. More importantly, the elevated flood risk could devastate our homes and local ecology.

Our community has always demonstrated resilience in the face of natural disasters, but we need sensible planning decisions that will protect our future. Responsible urban planning should enhance, not undermine, the safety and quality of life in Charlotte County.

We urge the relevant authorities to reject this rezoning proposal and instead focus on sustainable and safe development practices. Protecting our floodplains is protecting our homes, our community, and our way of life. Sign this petition to demand action and safeguard our community now and for future generations.