WHO WE ARE

FOLKs is a group of concerned residents who are working to preserve the unique character of the Lower Keys and protect our quality of life.  We oppose adding 1300 more ROGOs (building allocations) because they undermine over 30 years of science-based and court-approved growth limitations for the Keys.

• Hurricane evacuation becomes more dangerous, not to mention that everyday traffic will be unbearable.

• Our fragile marine environment cannot tolerate more development -- it's deteriorating now, even without the additional development.

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Friends of the Lower Keys was formed in 2018 initially in response to the BOCC's (Board of County Commissioners) proposed Goal 109 (adding the developer incentive of increased density throughout the Lower Keys).  As concerned citizens, we appreciate and want to preserve the rural and unique character of the Lower Keys.

WHAT WE DO

We are not developers. We are not builders, but we want the County to follow its mandated Lower Keys Livable CommuniKeys Plan, which seeks to preserve the low destiny, rural character of the Lower Keys.  The Keys have long needed workforce housing.  Now with the destruction of so many homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, we feel the County should redevelop existing housing and develop new workforce housing where it is appropriate.  We want workforce housing where it makes sense – at the major employment centers of Key West and Marathon.  We feel adding more ROGOs or providing developers with Density Bonuses (initially as part of Goal 109 and now being resurrected as Goal 111) would aggravate traffic on an already congested US1, make hurricane evacuation unsafe, and add further damage to our coastal waters and marine ecosystems.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Help us retain the low density, rural character of the Lower Keys.  Join us and let’s make sure the County does not change existing Comp Plan provisions while most folks are unaware of the impacts these changes will have on our community.