Coopers Point Development I am opposed to City of Clearwater Comprehensive Plan Amendment Case No. LUZ2010-06002 and Development Agreement Case No. DVA2010-06001 related to the Clearwater Christian College. The proposal is not consistent with the City of Clearwater's Comprehensive Plan, requiring a change of land use from Preservation to Institutional. The Coopers Point Bayou and Coopers Point Nature Park are classified as "aquatic preserve" by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. These facilities should be preserved, as originally intended, to benefit future generations of all life on Earth. There are major concerns with the project's impact on environmental quality issues, including, but not limited to: Impacts on the Tampa Bay Surface Water Improvement & Management Plan (adopted by the Southwest Florida Water Management District). Impacts on marine and upland habitats, which support marine, avian, and mammal species. Impacts on wetlands, floodplains, and coastal mangroves that protect land in hazardous storms. Impacts on a resident Bald Eagle nest, monitored under the Clearwater Audubon Society, Inc. under the auspices of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, and supported by the Florida Audubon Society's Bird of Prey Center. The proposed land use change, if approved, would permit destruction of at least seven acres of wetlands; remember, 80+% of all wetlands that existed before Europeans arrived in North American have been destroyed by development. Wetlands destruction is contrary to the reason for the purchase of Cooper's Point: to preserve those wetlands and prevent another Rocky Point-like creation on the west end of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. This proposed development would have serious long-term consequences for those habitats, their dependent wildlife, and the human quality-of-life condition. This development proposal should be denied. Michael L. MacDonald Clearwater

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