Largo Community Development Board Presents Annual ReportBy Bill LopezLARGO - Last October the City of Largo formed a Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) to provide citizen input to the city's community development department. At the city commission meeting last week, CDAB Chairman John DeBellas presented an overview of the board's first annual report that was provided to commission members and is available at city hall for citizen review. DeBellas said the board considered the West Bay Drive project, Public Art Programs, Economic Development and changes in the city's comprehensive plan in preparing the report. The board is also concerned with the availability of affordable housing and recommends that the city be proactive in continuing to foster development of affordable housing in Largo. Housing and neighborhood development standards were reviewed to insure preservation of stable neighborhoods, DeBellas said. The purpose of CDAB is to advise and make recommendations to the city commission concerning policy matters relating to community development including the annual budget and capital improvement plan for the city. CDAB also provides advice on the administration of community development block grant programs, home investment partnership projects, and state housing initiatives. The City of Largo has completed the process for revising and updating the City's Comprehensive Plan, which is a blueprint to guide future development and service delivery within the city by establishing goals and objectives for key community elements, including facilities, recreation, open space, natural resources, transportation, housing, economic development, land use, intergovernmental coordination, and capital improvements. The CDAB board provides an avenue of communication for citizens to be heard on the all matters covered by the City's Comprehensive Plan. CDAB meets on the first Monday of each month at city hall and the meetings are open to the public.
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