REAL Exclusive Magazine

Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group Newsletter #3.

Incorporation Study Gets Stamp of Approval from FSU

Prepared by the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group

In our continuing efforts to ensure the highest level of accuracy in our approach, Florida State University was chosen to provide an outside third-party expert for an independent analysis of The Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Feasibility Study.

The methods and data used to develop the Feasibility Study were validated in a report issued in early December by Dr. Tim Chapin Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Urban & Regional Planning at Florida State University. In his report, Dr. Chapin concludes that the work of Fishkind & Associates was “…methodologically sound, employed the best available data, and utilized an appropriate set of assumptions. The report’s finding that the proposed incorporation of Lakewood Ranch is financially feasible appears to be based upon solid empirical evidence.”

In addition to reviewing the Feasibility Study and other documentation available on the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation website, Dr. Chapin made an onsite visit to Lakewood Ranch and examined satellite photos of LWR to, “…help me understand the layout of the community and its linkages to neighboring jurisdictions.”

In his report, he states, “While members of the LWR Incorporation Study Group provided background information on the ongoing community discussion about incorporation, I want to be clear that the findings of this report are wholly my own.”

Dr. Chapin also states his belief that the work should satisfy the state’s requirements for an incorporation feasibility study including:

Documenting the likely revenue streams for an incorporated Lakewood Ranch,

Documenting reasonable projections for expected growth in the community’s population and tax base

Analyzing data for comparable communities to assess the accuracy of their own projections,

Identifying alternatives to the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch, and

Providing evidence of Lakewood Ranch’s fit to the statutory minimum requirements for incorporation

In short, this objective, third-party, independent analysis confirms that we are on the right path and using appropriate data and methods upon which to base our financial analysis and projections.

A COPY OF THE FULL REPORT CAN BE FOUND AT www.lwrdv.com/incorp

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET INVOLVED

Forward this email to your friends and neighbors within LWR to ensure they are informed.

If your neighborhood or group has not yet attended a charter draft presentation meeting, please contact us via email at IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com. We will be happy to arrange a presentation.

If you are interested in joining the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group, please contact us via email at IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com

If you want more detailed information on the pros and cons of incorporation, the incorporation process, FAQs, the charter, etc. visit our website at www.lwrdv.com/incorp.

Posted as  a public service announcement by REAL Magazine. REAL Magazine takes no position on the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch.