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A Guidebook for Front Porch Florida Communities Comprehensive Planning in Florida:

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Page 1: Comprehensive Planning in Florida - Edocs

A Guidebook for Front Porch Florida Communities

ComprehensivePlanning in Florida:

Page 2: Comprehensive Planning in Florida - Edocs

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Table of Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................3

History of the Front Porch Initiative ..................................................................................3

The Purpose of Planning and a Comprehensive Plan .....................................................4

Public Participation .............................................................................................................5

Elements of the Comprehensive Plan...............................................................................6

Future Land Use Element ..................................................................................................7

Housing Element ................................................................................................................7

Traffic Circulation Element/Transportation Element .......................................................7

Recreation and Open Space Element .............................................................................10

Capital Improvements Element .......................................................................................10

Intergovernmental Coordination Element .....................................................................11

Infrastructure Element .....................................................................................................11

Conservation Element ......................................................................................................11

Coastal Management Element ........................................................................................12

Public School Facilities Element ......................................................................................12

Implementation ................................................................................................................12

Process for Preparing and Amending the Comprehensive Plan ..................................12

Using the Comprehensive Plan for Redevelopment and Revitalization ......................15

Local Government Contacts ............................................................................................19

Regional Planning Councils ............................................................................................20

Water Management Districts ...........................................................................................21

Department of Transportation Districts ..........................................................................22

Other State Agency Contacts ..........................................................................................23

School Board Superintendents .......................................................................................24

Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process ....................................................................25

Florida DCA Common Growth Management Terms and Acronyms ...........................26

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Introduction This Guidebook is intended to provide citizens and

community development organizations with an overview of

Florida’s Growth Management Program, specifically the local

comprehensive plan, its applications and how it can assist local

redevelopment and revitalization efforts. While Florida’s Front

Porch communities are the Guidebook’s initial audience, it can

be used by other community-based organizations, including

but not limited to, Neighborhood Associations, Community

Redevelopment Agencies, Community Development Corporations,

and Housing Authorities, as well as individual citizens.

History of the Front Porch Florida Initiative

The Front Porch Florida Initiative (FPF) was established in

1999 by Governor Jeb Bush to promote community revitalization

by empowering local community members through technical

assistance, training and by developing skills necessary to identify and

acquire resources for revitalization purposes.1 The Office of Urban

Opportunity (OUO) was formed to simplify administration;

to create strategic alliances and networks of community

collaboration; to develop and forge better relationships

between Front Porch communities and other public and private

sector entities.

Since inception, twenty Front Porch community designations

have been established across the State of Florida. The

communities are located in Bartow, Bradenton, Daytona Beach,

Ft.Lauderdale, Gainesville, Gifford (Indian River County),

Immokalee, Jacksonville, Miami, Ocala, Opa-Locka, Orlando,

Pensacola, Sanford, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Sylvania Heights

(Okaloosa County), Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

These communities comprise some of the state’s most economically

distressed urban and rural areas consisting of mostly African

American residents. Front Porch Florida takes up this challenge

to revitalize underserved communities that are dedicated to

positive cooperation and communication to make their community

a better place to live, work, and play.

1 Urban Revitalization in Florida. Preliminary Summary produced Oct. 2003 by the Florida Legislature Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, page 6.

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The Purpose of Planning and a Comprehensive Plan

In his article, “The History of Cities and City

Planning,” Cliff Ellis discussed the purpose of

cities and their origins. According to Mr. Ellis:

The mixture of activities, often referred to as

land use categories, within local governments

and how these activities interact with one another

are core concerns that planning attempts to

address. Planning is a tool a community can

use to arrange these activities so that they work

in concert and not conflict with each other. This

concept is usually referred to as compatibility.

These decisions also must balance the desires

of individual property owners with the broader

needs of the entire community.

Through land use planning, a community is

able to examine its economic, social, and physi-

cal needs and make decisions about how these

needs can be best met for the future. For example,

a community will determine the types of industry it

would like to support, where the industrial activities

will take place, and the amount of land needed.

It will also determine the location and amount

of land for residences, commercial and social

activities, public spaces and parks; how natural

resources will be used, managed, and protected;

how people will travel safely and efficiently; and

the type and amount of infrastructure that will be

needed by people and development. “Infrastructure”

is defined as man-made structures that serve the

common needs of people, such as sewers, water

systems, landfills, roads and bridges, and utilities;

whether owned by government or by private

companies or persons.

This expression of the needs and desires of

the community is presented in what is known

as the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive

plan is a long-range document, usually spanning

at least 10 years, and must be based on appropriate

data and analysis. The community, usually through

its Planning or Community Development De-

partment, will collect data on past and present

trends. This process will include a review of

population, development patterns, traffic, environ-

mental resources, and infrastructure needs. In

addition, information on community needs and

concerns will be gathered in order to determine

the best approaches to resolve existing problems

and address the future needs of the community. For

instance, if a community wishes to redevelop its

downtown, the comprehensive plan will address

the steps that will be undertaken by the community

as well as requirements developers will have to meet

to achieve the type of downtown envisioned.

2 Cliff Ellis. 1989. “History of Cities and City Planning.” Section of Instruction Manual for SimCity: The City Simulator. Maxis Software.

Cities exist for many reasons, and the diversity

of urban forms can be traced to the complex

functions that cities perform. Cities serve as

centers of storage, trade, and manufacture.

The agricultural surplus from the surrounding

countryside is processed and distributed in

cities. Cities also grew up around marketplaces,

where goods from distant places could be

exchanged for local products. Cities serve

as centers of government. Cities, with their

concentration of talent, mixture of peoples,

and economic surplus, have provided a fertile

ground for the evolution of human culture:

the arts, scientific research, and technical

innovation. They serve as centers of commu-

nication, where new ideas and information

are spread. Throughout history, cities have been

founded at the intersection of transportation

routes, or at points where goods must shift

from one mode of transportation to another,

as at river and ocean ports.2

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In 1985, Florida adopted its Growth Man-

agement Act. The Act, formally known as the

Local Government Comprehensive Planning

and Land Development Regulation Act,

Chapter 163, Part II, Florida Statutes (FS),

is primarily implemented through Rule 9J-5,

Florida Administrative Code (FAC). The Act

requires each municipality and county in Florida

to prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan and

procedures to implement the comprehensive plan.

These procedures are commonly called land

development regulations, land development

codes, or zoning. In Florida, all proposed and

approved development in the community must

be consistent with the comprehensive plan for that

community. The Act also requires regular eval-

uations and updates of the comprehensive plan.

Public Participation

The Florida Legislature recognized the

importance of public participation and citizen

input in the comprehensive planning process

and stated: “It is the intent of the Legislature

that the public participate in the comprehensive

planning process to the fullest extent possible.”

As noted previously, the comprehensive plan

expresses a community’s vision, its values, and

how and where it may grow and develop in the fu-

ture. Therefore, it is imperative that there is broad

public participation and that all present and future

community stakeholders take part in the process,

inform decisions and are committed to working

with state and local government. Public participation

is needed to address four essential questions:

• Where is the community now?

• How did the community get here?

• Where does the community want to go?

• What steps does the community want

to take to get there?

The public may participate in the compre-

hensive planning process in numerous ways,

including attending public hearings, meetings and

workshops as well as providing written comments.

Participation can be during the development of the

initial comprehensive plan, the plan amendment

process, or during the review of zoning changes

and development applications. Municipalities and

counties also work to keep the public informed by

posting updates on the Internet , providing copies

of work products at the local library and their

government offices, newspaper articles, and

placing signs on property for which a change to

the land use or zoning is requested.

Another key entry point for citizens to

participate in the process is during what is called

the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) phase.

Comprehensive plans are dynamic documents,

and each city and county must evaluate and ap-

praise its comprehensive plan every seven years.

During the EAR process, a community examines

its comprehensive plan in relation to the four es-

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sential questions (Where is the community now?;

How did the community get here?; Where does

the community want to go?; and What steps

does the community want to take to get there?).

In addition, the community must determine if

the directions established in the comprehensive

plan are still valid and what, if any, changes

should be made to the comprehensive plan.

It is important that you learn how and when

your community will need your participation. This

can be accomplished by contacting your local Plan-

ning or Community Development Department.

Elements of the Comprehensive Plan

All municipalities and counties in Florida

have an adopted comprehensive plan and are

implementing the plan, unless a city recently

incorporated. A new municipality must adopt a

comprehensive plan within three years from the

date of incorporation. The comprehensive plan

and amendments are prepared and administered

by the Local Planning Agency, local planning

staff and other local government officials. The Local

Planning Agency is designated by the municipality

or county commission and is often called the

Planning and Zoning Commission or Board. The

Local Planning Agency conducts public meetings

regarding the comprehensive plan and its decisions

are then referred to the local government for official

action. The staff of the local Planning or Community

Development Department is available to work

with residents and property owners regarding

the content of the comprehensive plan.

Comprehensive plans in Florida are required

to include elements that address future land use;

housing; transportation; recreation and open space;

capital improvements; intergovernmental coor-

dination; potable water, storm water, sanitary

sewer, solid waste, and natural groundwater aquifer

recharge; conservation of natural resources; and,

by, December 1, 2008, public school facilities.

In addition, coastal municipalities and counties

must prepare a coastal management element. A

community may include optional elements, such

as economic development, historic preservation,

or community design. While a comprehensive

plan is composed of these elements, the issues

addressed in the elements are often interrelated;

therefore, requiring the comprehensive plan to

be read as a singular document.

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Future Land Use Element

The Future Land Use Element outlines the

type of land uses (e.g., residential, commercial,

office, industrial) and amount of development that

may be built in the community over the planning

horizon. The amount of allowable residential

development is referred to as “density” and is

usually expressed as the number of dwelling

units per acre. The amount of non-residential

development is called “intensity” and can be

expressed in square feet per acre or a Floor Area

Ratio also known as FAR. Floor Area Ratio is the

gross floor area of all buildings permitted on a lot

divided by the area of the lot. For example, a Floor

Area Ratio of 2 would allow the construction

of 20,000 square feet of floor space on 10,000

square feet of land.

It should be noted that while density and

intensity can be expressed using these common

expressions, the amount of density and intensity

allowed is set based on the unique circumstances

of the specific community. Factors such as historical

and anticipated growth rates, environmental

features, available and planned infrastructure,

and the desires of the public determines how

much density and intensity will be allowed.

In addition to goals, objectives, and policies, this

element must include a Future Land Use Map

that shows the location of future development

allowed by the land use category. The Future

Land Use Map, also called the FLUM, will show the

boundaries of the community, the road network

and the allowable land use categories. An example

of a Future Land Use Map is shown on pages 8

and 9. The categories are usually distinguished

by color to indicate the type and amount of

development allowed in an area.

Housing Element

The Housing Element outlines how housing

will be provided for all current and anticipated

future residents, including determining what

sites will be suitable for future housing. In

addition, the Housing Element must address

the creation and/or preservation of housing that is

affordable to lower-income households and the

element must provide adequate sites for affordable

housing. Further, the Housing Element must

address the elimination of substandard dwelling

conditions as well as the structural and aesthetic

improvement of existing housing. Census and

building construction data are often used as the

basis for this element.

Traffic Circulation Element/ Transportation Element

The Traffic Circulation Element addresses the

types, locations, and extent of existing and pro-

posed major roads in the community, including

bicycle and pedestrian ways. This element also

establishes a level of service, also known as LOS,

standard for roads. This standard establishes the

number of cars that will be allowed on a road.

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Sample: City of Sanford Future Land Use Map

Page 9: Comprehensive Planning in Florida - Edocs

Map Credit: City of Sanford Department of Planning and Development Services

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10

If any development is proposed that would

cause this standard to be degraded, it cannot

be approved until improvements to the road

or other steps are taken to manage the traffic

levels. This concept is known as “concurrency,”

which means no development that would result

in the operation of facilities below their adopted

levels of service can be approved.

Recreation and Open Space Element

The Recreation and Open Space Element

details the community’s efforts to provide sites

for recreation, including, but not limited to, natural

reservations, parks and playgrounds, parkways,

beaches and public access to beaches, open spaces,

waterways, and other recreational facilities. This

element also must establish recreation and open

space level of service standards. This standard may

be expressed as the number of ballparks, tennis

courts, playgrounds, or acres of recreation or open

space land in relation to the population.

Capital Improvements Element

The Capital Improvements Element (CIE)

evaluates the community’s need for public facilities

that are identified in other plan elements. The

community must estimate the cost of improvements

for which it has fiscal responsibility, analyze its

ability to finance and construct improvements,

and adopt policies to guide the funding of improve-

ments. In addition, the community must schedule

the funding and construction of improvements

so that they are provided when required, based

on needs identified in the other comprehensive

plan elements.

The CIE must outline principles for construc-

tion, extension, or increase in capacity of public

facilities, as well as a component that outlines

principles for correcting existing public facility

deficiencies, which are necessary to implement

the comprehensive plan. The components shall

cover at least a five-year period. The CIE must be

financially feasible and updated annually. Capital

Improvements are usually defined as physical assets

that are generally nonrecurring, large scale and

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11

high cost. Examples include roads, potable water

and sanitary sewer facilities, public buildings, and

drainage projects.

Intergovernmental Coordination Element

The Intergovernmental Coordination Element

addresses the coordination of proposed devel-

opment of the community to the comprehensive

plans of adjacent municipalities, the county,

adjacent counties, or the region and to the State

Comprehensive Plan. In addition, this element must

outline the efforts the community will undertake to

coordinate the implementation of its comprehensive

plan with neighboring communities, regional

entities, and the state and how it resolves any

potential disputes with other governmental agencies.

Infrastructure Element Potable Water, Storm Water, Sanitary Sewer, SolidWaste, and Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge

As with all the other elements, the Infrastructure

Element must correlate to the principles and

guidelines for future land use. The Infrastructure

Element must indicate ways to provide for future

potable water, drainage, sanitary sewer, solid waste,

and aquifer recharge protection requirements

for the area. In addition, it will describe the problems

and needs and the general facilities that will be

required for solution of the problems and needs.

As part of this element, the community must

examine their current, as well as projected, water

needs and sources for at least a ten-year period.

Like Traffic Circulation and Recreation and Open

Space Elements, a level of service standard must be

set for potable water, sanitary sewer, solid waste,

and drainage and a concurrency test must be

applied before development is permitted.

Conservation Element

The Conservation Element details the conser-

vation, use, and protection of natural resources

in the community, including air, water, water

recharge areas, wetlands, waterwells, estuarine

marshes, soils, beaches, shores, flood plains,

rivers, bays, lakes, harbors, forests, fisheries

and wildlife, marine habitat, minerals, and other

natural and environmental resources.

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Coastal Management Element

The Coastal Management Element guides the

community’s decisions and actions regarding

maintenance, restoration, and enhancement of

the overall quality of the coastal environment,

maintenance of viable populations of all species

of wildlife and marine life; utilization and

preservation of all living and nonliving coastal

zone resources; avoidance of loss of coastal

resources; limitation of public expenditures that

subsidize development in high-hazard coastal areas;

protection of human life against the effects of

natural disasters; and how the community will

mitigate the impacts of potential future disasters.

Public School Facilities Element

In 2005, Governor Jeb Bush signed into law

an enhanced link between land use planning

and the planning for public school facilities.

The law requires that all municipalities, counties,

and school boards (not eligible for a waiver or

exemption) to adopt concurrency standards

for schools by December 1, 2008. According to

the Florida Department of Community Affairs,

Florida’s population is projected to increase by

another 30 percent by 2020 (from approximately

18 million to almost 23 million), and schools

are struggling to keep pace with growth. The

new requirements will add a process so that

municipalities, counties, and school boards will

coordinate in order to ensure that there will be

adequate schools (K-12) to meet the amount of

planned residential development.

Implementation

The comprehensive plan is implemented

through what are called “land development”

regulations which must be consistent with the

local government comprehensive plan. Florida

requires that land development regulations address,

at a minimum the following: how land may be

subdivided; zoned; compatibility; well fields;

flooding; drainage and stormwater management;

site plan approvals; environmentally sensitive

lands; signage; and concurrency. Because the

specific requirements contained within land de-

velopment regulations can vary, it is recommended

you contact your local Planning or Community

Development Department to learn more.

Process for Preparing and Amending the Comprehensive Plan

As noted previously, unless a city recently

incorporated, all municipalities and counties in

Florida have adopted a comprehensive plan.

However, the comprehensive plan may be amended

twice per year. The twice per year restriction

does not apply to what is called a small-scale

development amendment as well as other

exemptions identified by the Florida Legislature.

In general, a small-scale development amend-

ment is a change to the Future Land Use Map

designation for a parcel that is 10 acres or less

and not located in a designated Area of Critical

State Concern. The complete listing of exemptions

to the twice per year restriction on amending

the comprehensive plan is available in Rule 9J-

11.006(1)(a)7, FAC. Since the comprehensive

plan amendment process contains many techni-

cal requirements, which can be modified from

time to time by the Florida Legislature, it is rec-

ommended you contact your local Planning or

Community Development Department or the

Department of Community Affairs’ Division of

Community Planning for assistance.

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A municipality, a county, citizens or property

owners may initiate plan amendments. How

and when a community may schedule amend-

ments to its comprehensive plan varies; there-

fore, you should contact your local Planning or

Community Development Department to get

specific information. A listing of local planning contacts

and amendment schedules is included as Appendix A.

Public input is an integral component of

the comprehensive plan implementation and

amendment process. While the majority of local

governments use numerous methods to make

the public aware of their plan implementation

and amendment development efforts, including

posting updates on the Internet, providing copies

of work products at the local library and their

government offices, newspaper articles, and

placing signs on property for which an amend-

ment to the land use is requested, the Growth

Management Act requires a Local Planning

Agency hearing and two pubic hearings of the

city or county commission, all of which must be

advertised in a local newspaper. The first public

hearing is required prior to sending a proposed

comprehensive plan amendment to the Florida

Department of Community Affairs for review.

This is often called the “transmittal hearing”. The

Department coordinates review of the proposed

comprehensive plan amendment by the Florida

Departments of Agriculture and Consumer

Services, Education, Environmental Protection,

State and Transportation, as well as the Florida

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Comission. The

applicable Regional Planning Council and Water

Management District also review the compre-

hensive plan and amendments. The purpose of

state and regional agency review is to determine

whether the comprehensive plan or proposed

amendments meet the requirements of law.

Comprehensive plans and amendments must

be consistent with Chapter 163, Part II, F.S.,

Rule 9J-5, F.A.C., the State Comprehensive Plan

(Chapter 187, F.S.), and the applicable Strategic

Regional Policy Plan. Contact information for the

state and regional review, including maps that show

the geographic areas served by the Regional Planning

Councils, Water Management Districts, Department

of Transportation Districts, Other State Agency Contacts,

and School Board Superintendents is included in

the Appendixes.

Within five (5) days of receipt, the Depart-

ment of Community Affairs will advise the mu-

nicipality or county if the amendment package is

complete. As part of the amendment package, the

municipality or county will advise the Department

of Community Affairs whether it requests a formal

review of the proposed amendment. If such a re-

view is requested, the Department of Community

Affairs will provide an Objections, Recommenda-

tions, and Comments (ORC) Report to the local

government within 60 days of the initial receipt of

a complete amendment package. Although a lo-

cal government can ask that the amendment

not be reviewed, one will be conducted if the

Department of Community Affairs, the applicable

Regional Planning Council, or an “affected person”

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requests a review. This request must be made to

the Department of Community Affairs no more

than 30 days after the amendment is received.

Again, the Department of Community Affairs

will provide an Objections, Recommendations,

and Comments (ORC) Report to the local

government within 60 days of the initial receipt

of a complete amendment package. Within 60

days of receiving the ORC Report (120 days for

EAR-based amendments), the local government

will then have the option to adopt the amendment

with changes based on the ORC Report, adopt

the amendment without changes, or not adopt

the amendment. The review timelines are included

on the flow chart in Appendix G.

A second public hearing is required in order

to adopt the amendment. The adopted amendment

is again sent to the Department of Community

Affairs and other review agencies. If the ORC

Report did not contain any Objections, the local

government adopts the amendment without any

changes, an affected party did not object, and

the city or county certifies such to the Department

of Community Affairs within 20 days, the De-

partment will issue what is called a “Notice of

Intent” to find the amendment In-Compliance.

If the ORC Report did contain Objections, the

adopted amendment will be reviewed and the

Notice of Intent will be issued within 45 days. If

an amendment is found In-Compliance by the

Department of Community Affairs, an “affected

person” has the right to petition for an admin-

istrative hearing to challenge the Department’s

decision that a comprehensive plan or plan

amendment is, or is not, in compliance with the

Growth Management Act. “Affected persons” are

(1) the local government that adopted the plan or

plan amendment; (2) an adjoining local govern-

ment that can demonstrate substantial impacts;

(3) persons who own property, reside, or own or

operate a business within the boundaries of the

local government that adopted the plan or plan

amendment and submit comments between the

transmittal hearing and the adoption hearing;

and (4) for future land use map amendments,

persons who own property outside of the local

government jurisdiction, and that property abuts

the property affected by the future land use map

amendment. The petition must be filed with

the Agency Clerk, Department of Community

Affairs, within 21 days after publication of the

Department’s Notice of Intent. An amendment

that is found Not in Compliance or is challenged

by an affected person will be scheduled for an

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administrative hearing. Where practical, mediation

is pursued to resolve these types of cases. A flow

chart illustrating the plan amendment process is

included as Appendix G.

Once again, the Department of Community

Affairs, with assistance from the other review

agencies, must approve every local government’s

comprehensive plan and its amendments and

a 21-day affected party challenge period must

pass before they are legally effective. In Florida,

no development may be approved unless it is

consistent with the adopted, effective local

comprehensive plan.

Using the Comprehensive Plan for Redevelopment and Revitalization Many local redevelopment and revitalization

efforts include addressing issues such as housing,

business development and expansion, parks and

recreation and drainage. As noted previously,

the comprehensive plan is the community’s

blueprint for growth. Because the comprehen-

sive plan establishes guidelines for the type,

amount, and location of development, it is vital

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that redevelopment and revitalization efforts,

focused on issues such as housing, business de-

velopment and expansion, parks and recreation,

drainage, streets and bicycle and pedestrian

facilities, be coordinated with your community’s

comprehensive plan, in order for these efforts to

be successful.

The first step in the redevelopment and revital-

ization process is establishing your community-based

organization’s desired outcomes. For Front Porch

Florida communities, this should be accomplished

via the Neighborhood Action Plan.

The Office of Urban Opportunity provides

technical assistance to Front Porch Communities

on how to develop an effective Neighborhood

Action Plan. The Neighborhood Action Plan

should be a community-driven document. It should

be developed by and reflect the agreed upon desires

of the residents of the Front Porch community.

Because community revitalization can require

significant resources, the community must seek and

employ partner organizations in the development

and implementation of its Neighborhood Action

Plan. These organizations include your city and/or

county government, applicable Regional Planning

Council as well as other organizations with similar

goals such as area Community Development

Corporations, Community Redevelopment

Agencies, Housing Authorities, the Florida

Housing Finance Corporation, chambers of

commerce, economic development councils,

Agency for Workforce Innovation, Enterprise

Florida, medical providers, law enforcement

agencies, schools, and major employers.

The community should host a series of

meetings in order to develop its Neighborhood

Action Plan. The Neighborhood Action Plan

should, at a minimum:

• Define the community’s issues of concern

(for example: inadequate affordable housing,

business creation and expansion, crime, access

to health care, employment);

• Contain clearly stated outcomes to address

identified issues (for example: the construction

of a certain number of housing units by a

target date);

• Articulate the role of Council and/or partners (for

example: to address the provision of housing, the

Council needs to determine whether it will

attempt to build the homes serving as general

contractor or seek funding to purchase land

and hire a general contractor or partner with

an existing affordable housing provider);

• Indicate how success will be measured (for

example: the construction of a certain number

of housing units by a target date);

• Delineate the steps/actions and resources

necessary to achieve the stated outcomes.

(for example: to address the provision of

affordable housing the Council should,

identify necessary partners, negotiate roles

and responsibilities for all steps in the process—

secure funding, land acquisition, local devel-

opment review; identify and qualify potential

homebuyers; and complete construction);

• Contain a timeline for implementation;

• Articulate how public input and consen-

sus were achieved and the ongoing process

for public involvement (for example: develop

procedures that address how and when the

Neighborhood Action Plan will be updated,

how the public will be made aware of the

planned updates, conduct facilitated meetings

that allow input to be received orderly and

efficiently, allow written comments from

people unable to attend meetings); and

• Address sustainability (for example: identify

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new and ongoing funding sources to implement

community initiatives).

The next step in the process is to review the

comprehensive plan for your area. It should be

noted that reviewing and understanding the com-

prehensive plan for your area is an integral part of

developing the Neighborhood Action Plan. Key

questions that could be addressed include:

• Are the desired outcomes being discussed

as part of the Neighborhood Action Plan

development process allowable under the

comprehensive plan?

• If the comprehensive plan does not allow

the desired outcomes under consideration,

should the community revise its desired

outcomes in order to be consistent with the

comprehensive plan or seek to amend the

comprehensive plan?

These are important questions, and the

community should ensure it is working with its

local government so that the best alternatives

can be developed and implemented. The following

illustrates the role of the comprehensive plan in

the redevelopment process and why coordination

with the local government is vital.

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If your organization wishes to be involved

in providing new housing or rehabilitating

existing housing, the comprehensive plan must

be examined to find out where housing can be

located, the type of housing that can be built

(e.g., single- or multi-family), and the allowable

housing density. The review of the comprehensive

plan should not be limited to the construction of

new homes. While most Future Land Use Maps

allow existing uses to occur at their present

locations, it is possible that an existing use is no

longer allowable at its present location. This

situation is called a non-conforming use. A

proposed rehabilitation effort that would alter

a significant portion of non-conforming uses

could result in that use not being able to be

rebuilt at its present location. In short, the

purpose of this review is to determine if the

comprehensive plan will allow the type and

amount of housing in the locations envisioned

by your organization. If it does not, then you

can either revise your housing proposal to be

consistent with the comprehensive plan or seek

to change the comprehensive plan.

Like in the arena of housing, revitalization

or redevelopment efforts intended to bring new

businesses into a community or expand existing

businesses, must be coordinated with the

comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan

specifies maximum sizes for commercial, office,

and industrial uses allowed in an area. In

addition, the comprehensive plan will detail the

types of commercial and industrial uses. The

comprehensive plan may designate an area in

the community for commercial uses; however,

additional review is necessary to determine that

the types of commercial use are listed as allow-

able or permitted, as well as the ones listed as

special or conditional. A special or conditional

use is subject to conditions designed to protect

surrounding properties and the neighborhood

from any possible negative impacts.

As noted earlier, local government

comprehensive plans are required to ensure

infrastructure needs (water supply, sanitary

sewer, transportation facilities, drainage, solid

waste, parks and recreation facilities, and public

school facilities) are in place at the same time—

concurrently—with any proposed development.

The comprehensive plan must be reviewed to

determine if the capacity to serve the community-

based organization’s revitalization efforts

exists. If the capacity is not available, then your

organization must consider altering its desired

outcomes or working with its local government

on providing the capacity. You can contact your

local government to assist you on this issue.

While having some understanding of the

comprehensive plan will enhance your

revitalization efforts, it should be noted the

comprehensive plan is the blueprint for future

growth. The comprehensive plan is implemented

through a series of local ordinances, the land

development code, that address things such as

how far back from the lot lines a building must

be constructed, the height of buildings, how

drainage must be handled, and the amount of

parking that must be provided for commercial,

office, and industrial uses. Your local planning

department staff is available to assist you to

understand the specific requirements of the

comprehensive plan. A list of planning department

contacts for Front Porch communities is included as

Appendix A.

Staff of the Department of Community

Affairs Division of Community Planning is

available to provide technical assistance to the

public and local governments. The division may

be contacted at 850/488-2356 or at its website

http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp.

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City of Bartow (West Bartow)Mr. Bob Wiegers, DirectorPlanning Department450 N Wilson AvenueBartow, FL 33830(863) 534-0100 Fax: (863) 534-0114E-mail: [email protected]: http://bartow.govoffice.comAmendment Cycle: Large Scale Amendments are processed January and July, annually Small Scale Amendments are processed as upon receipt

City of Bradenton (Bradenton) Mr. Larry Frey, AICP, DirectorDepartment of Development Services101 Old Main StreetsBradenton, FL 34205(941) 932-9400Fax: (941) 708-6258E-mail: [email protected]: www.cityofbradenton.comAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contact Planning Department for the specific schedule.

Collier County (Greater Immokalee Southside)Mr. Tom GreenwoodComprehensive Planning Department2800 N Horseshoe DriveNaples, FL 34104(239) 403-2323Fax: (239) 643-3968E-mail: [email protected]: www.co.collier.fl.usAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contact Planning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Daytona Beach (Central City of Daytona Beach)Ms. Cheryl Harrison-Lee, AICP, DirectorDepartment of Development Services301 S. Ridgeway AvenueDaytona Beach, FL 32115(386) 671-8120Fax: (386) 671-8130E-mail: [email protected]: www.ci.daytona-beach.fl.usAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contact Planning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Gainesville (Duval Heights)Mr. Ralph Hilliard, Planning ManagerPlanning Division200 E University AvenueGainesville, FL 32601(352) 334-5022Fax: (352) 334-2282E-mail: [email protected]: www.cityofgainesville.orgAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contact Planning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Fort Lauderdale (Dorsey-Riverbend)Mr. Eric Silva, Principal PlannerPlanning and Zoning Department700 NW 19th AvenueFort Lauderdale, FL 33311(954) 828-5966Fax: (954) 828-5858E-mail: [email protected]: www.fortlauderdale.govAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contact Planning Department for the specific schedule.

Indian River County (Gifford)Mr. Gale Carmoney, Long Range PlannerCommunity Development Department,Planning Division1840 25th StreetVero Beach, FL 32960(772) 567-8000, ext. 1668Fax: (772) 978-1806E-mail: [email protected]: www.ircgov.comAmendment Cycle: Large Scale Amendments are processed January and July, annually

City of Jacksonville (Sherwood Forest)Ms. Margo Moehring, ChiefStrategic Planning Division Planning and Development Department220 E Bay StreetJacksonville, FL 32202(904) 630-7067Fax: (904) 630-2391E-mail: [email protected]: www.ci.jax.fl.usAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contact Planning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Miami (Riverside Community of Little Havana)Ms. Ana Gelabert-Sanchez, DirectorPlanning Department444 SW 2nd Avenue, 3rd FloorMiami, FL 33130(305) 416-1470Fax: (305) 416-2156E-mail: [email protected]: www.ci.miami.fl.usAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contact Planning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Miami Gardens (Miami-Dade)The Honorable Shirley Gibson, Mayor1515 N.W. 167th Street, Suite 200Miami Gardens, Florida 33169(305) 622-8000Fax: (305) 622-8001 Email: [email protected]: www.miamigardens-fl.govAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contactPlanning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Ocala (West Ocala)Mr. Tye Chighizola, Director Planning Department121 SE Osceola AvenueOcala, FL 34471(352) 629-8529Fax: (352) 368-5994E-mail: [email protected]: www.ocalafl.orgAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contactPlanning Department for the specific schedule.

Okaloosa County (Greater Sylvania Heights)Mr. Terry Jernigan, Planning ManagerGrowth Management Department1804 Lewis Turner Boulevard Suite 200Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547(850) 689-7347Fax: (850) 689-5512E-mail: [email protected]: www.co.okaloosa.fl.usAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contactPlanning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Orlando (Holden Heights))Mr. Kevin Tyjeski, ChiefLong-Range PlanningCity Planning Division400 S Orange Avenue, 6th FloorOrlando, FL 32801(407) 246-3387Fax: (407) 246-2895E-mail: [email protected]: www.cityoforlando.netAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contactPlanning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Opa Locka (Opa Locka/North Dade)Mr. Octavian SpannerPlanning Department777 Sharazard BoulevardOpa Locka, FL 33054(305) 953-2909Fax: (305) 953-3060E-mail: [email protected]: www.cityofopalocka.orgAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contactPlanning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Pensacola (Greater Pensacola)Mr. Kevin Cowper, AICP, DirectorDepartment of Community DevelopmentPO Box 12910, 180 Governmental CenterPensacola, FL 32502(850) 435-1670Fax: (850) 595-1143E-mail: [email protected]: www.pensacolacitygov.comAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contact Planning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Sanford (Goldsboro)Ms. Antonia Gerli, Principal Planner Department of Planning and Community Development300 N. Park AvenueSanford, FL 32771(407) 330-5672Fax: (407) 330-5679E-mail: [email protected]: www.ci.sanford.fl.usAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contact Planning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Sarasota (Newton)Mr. John Hawthorne Planning and Redevelopment Department1565 1st StreetSarasota, FL 34236(941) 373-7765E-mail: [email protected]: www.sarasotagov.com/index2.htmlAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contactPlanning Department for the specific schedule.

City of St. Petersburg (Greater St. Petersburg)Ms. Julie Weston, Director Development Services Department175 5th Street N, PO Box 2842St. Petersburg, FL 33731(727) 893-7287Fax: (727) 892-5365E-mail: [email protected]: www.stpete.orgAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contactPlanning Department for the specific schedule.

City of Tallahassee (Greater Frenchtown)Mr. Fred GoodrowTallahassee-Leon County Planning Department300 S AdamsTallahassee, FL 32301(850) 891-8600Fax: (850) 891-8734E-mail: [email protected]: www.talgov.comAmendment Cycle: Large Scale Amendments areprocessed January and July, annually

City of Tampa (Heart of East Tampa)Mr. Randy Goers, Urban Planning ManagerDepartment of Strategic Planning and Technology306 E Jackson Street, Suite 8ETampa, FL 33602(813) 274-8401Fax: (813) 274-7327E-mail: [email protected]: www.tampagov.net/index.aspAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contactPlanning Department for the specific schedule.

City of West Palm Beach (West Palm Beach)Mr. Charles Wu, DirectorPlanning and Zoning Division200 2nd Street, 5th FloorWest Palm Beach, FL 33402(561) 822-1435Fax: (561) 653-2625E-mail: [email protected]: www.cityofwpb.comAmendment Cycle: Amendment schedule varies; contactPlanning Department for the specific schedule.

Local Government Contacts

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5

8 7

6

9

10

11

EscambiaSantaRosa Okaloosa

Walton

Bay

GulfFranklin

Wakulla

Jefferson

Taylor

Dixie

Nassau

Duval

Levy

St. Johns

Flagler

Volusia

Citrus

Hernando

Pasco

Manatee

Sarasota

Brevard

IndianRiver

St. Lucie

Martin

Palm Beach

Charlotte

Lee

Broward

Pinellas

Collier

DadeMonroe

Hillsborough

Holmes

Washington

Jackson

Calhoun

Liberty

Gadsden

Leon Madison

Lafayette

Suwannee

Hamilton

Baker

Union

BradfordClay

PutnamAlachua

Marion

LakeSeminole

Sum

ter

Orange

Osceola

Polk

Hardee

DeSotoHighlands

Glades

Okeechobee

Hendry

Columbia

Gilchrist

Monroe County

Regional Planning Councils

West Florida __________________________ 1Post Office Box 97593435 North 12th AvenuePensacola, FL 32513-97591-800-226-8914(850) 595-8910, Suncom: 695-8910 Fax: (850) [email protected] www.wfrpc.dst.fl.us/wfrpcExecutive Director . . . . . . . . . . Terry JosephDRI Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul MillerLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . . . Debbie ThayerSRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul MillerLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . . . . . Paul MillerGIS Contact . . . . . . . . . . Frances Campbell

Apalachee ____________________________ 220776 Central Avenue East, Suite 1Blountstown, FL 32424(850) 674-4571, Suncom: 771-4417Fax: (850) 674-4574 Tallahassee Office(850) 488-6211, Suncom: 278-6211 Fax: (850) [email protected] www.thearpc.comExecutive Director . . . . . . . Charles D. BlumeDRI Coordinator . . . . . . . . . Keith McCarronLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris RietowSRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . . Keith McCarronLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . Keith McCarronGIS Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Turner

North Central Florida _________________ 32009 Northwest 67 Place, Suite AGainesville, FL 32653-16031-800-226-0690(352) 955-2200, Suncom: 625-2200 Fax: (352) [email protected] www.ncfrpc.orgExecutive Director . . . . . . . Charles F. JusticeDRI Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott KoonsLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . . . Dwayne MundySRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve DoppLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . . . . Scott KoonsGIS Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Parish

Northeast Florida ____________________ 46850 Belfort Oaks PlaceJacksonville, FL 32216(904) 279-0880, Suncom: 874-0880 Fax: (904) [email protected] www.nefrpc.orgChief Elected Officer . . . . . . Brian D. TeeplePlanning Director . . . . . . . . . . . . Ed LehmanDRI Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ed LehmanLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . Heather GolightlySRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ed LehmanLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . . Amanda SmithGIS Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Joiner

Withlacoochee _______________________ 51241 Southwest 10 StreetOcala, FL 34474-2798(352) 732-1315, Suncom: 667-1315 Fax: (352) [email protected] Director . . . . . . . . Mike MoehlmanDRI Coordinator . . Bruce Day, Vivian WhitterLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . Craig BrashierSRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce DayLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . . Craig BrashierGIS Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Taylor

East Central Florida __________________ 6631 North Wymore Road, Suite 100Maitland, FL 32751(407) 623-1075, Suncom: 334-1075 Fax: (407) [email protected]://ecfrpc.orgExecutive Director (Acting) . . . . . . Jeff Jones DRI Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fred MilchLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teri HunalpSRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff JonesLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . . . . . Jeff JonesGIS Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Sievers

Central Florida _______________________ 7Post Office Drawer 2089Bartow, FL 33831(863) 534-7130, Suncom: 515-2025 Fax: (863) [email protected] Director . . Patricia M. Steed, AICPDRI Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian SodtLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chuck CarterSRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . Patricia M. SteedLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . . . . . Alan KloseGIS Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brady Smith

Tampa Bay __________________________ 84000 Gateway Center BoulevardPinellas Park, FL 33782(727) 570-5151, Suncom: 513-5066 Fax: (727) [email protected] www.tbrpc.orgExecutive Director . . . . . . Manny PumariegaPlanning Director . . . . . . . . . . . . Avera WynnDRI Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . John MeyerLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill LofgrenSRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerald SmeltLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . . . . Gerald SmeltGIS Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Flynn

Southwest Florida ___________________ 91926 Victoria AvenueFt. Myers, FL 33901(239) 338-2550, Suncom: 749-2550 Fax: (239) [email protected] www.swfrpc.orgExecutive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave BurrPlanning Director . . . . . . . Ken HeatheringtonDRI Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan TrescottLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . John GibbonsSRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer SteinLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . . David CrawfordGIS Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Walker

Treasure Coast _____________________ 10301 East Ocean Boulevard, Suite 300Stuart, FL 34994(772) 221-4060, Suncom: 269-4060 Fax: (772) [email protected] Director . . . . . . . Michael J. BushaDRI Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz GulickLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kate BoerSRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry HessLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . . . . . Terry Hess

South Florida _______________________ 113440 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 140Hollywood, FL 33021(954) 985-4416, Suncom: 473-4416Fax: (954) [email protected] Director . . . . . . . Carolyn A. DekleDRI Coordinators . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa LorbeckLEPC Contact . . . . . . . . . . Carlos GonzalezSRPP Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob DanielsLocal Plan Assistance . . . . . . . Terry ManningGIS Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Manny Cela

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Water Management Districts

Northwest Florida Water Management DistrictDouglas E. Barr, Executive Director81 Water Management DriveHavana, FL 32333-9700(850) 539-5999, Fax: (850) 539-2777www.state.fl.us/nwfwmd

Contact: Paul Thorpe, AICP Director, Resource Planning Section Suncom: 771-2080 [email protected]

Suwannee River Water Management DistrictJerry Scarborough, Executive Director9225 CR 49Live Oak, FL 32060(800) 226-1066, (386) 362-1001 Fax: (386) 362-1056www.mysuwanneeriver.com

Contact: Kirk Webster, Planner Suncom: 821-3220 [email protected]

St. Johns River Water Management DistrictKirby B. Green III, Executive DirectorPost Office Box 14294049 Reid StreetPalatka, FL 32178-1429(386) 329-4500, Fax: (386) 329-4125http://sjrwmd.com

Contact: Jeff Cole, Assistant Director Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs (386) 329-4497, (800) 451-7106 Suncom: 860-4500, Fax: (386) 329-4103 [email protected]

Southwest Florida Water Management DistrictDavid L. Moore, Executive Director2379 Broad StreetBrooksville, FL 34604-6899(800) 423-1476, (352) 796-7211, Fax: (352) 754-6874 www.watermatters.org

Contact: Richard S. Owen, AICP Planning Director (352) 796-7211, ext. 4400 [email protected]

South Florida Water Management DistrictCarol Wehle, Executive Director3301 Gun Club RoadPO Box 24680West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4680(800) 432-2045, (561) 686-8800, Fax: (561) 687-6200 www.sfwmd.gov

Contact: James Golden, Senior Planner/DRI Reviews (561) [email protected]

P. K. Sharma, Lead Planner/LGCP Amend-ments (561) 682-6779 [email protected]

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Department of Transportation Districts

Office of Policy PlanningBob Romig, Director605 Suwannee Street, MS 28Tallahassee, FL 32399-8064(850) 414-4823. Fax: (850) [email protected]

District 1John Czerpak, Growth Management CoordinatorPlanning Department801 N. Broadway AvenueBartow, FL 33830-3809(863) 519-2300, Fax: (863) [email protected]

District 2Lea Gabbay, Growth Management Administra-torJacksonville Urban Office, MS 28122250 Irene StreetJacksonville, FL 32204-2619(904) 360-5647, Fax: (904) 360-5649, Suncom: [email protected]

District 3Glenda Duncan, Planning AdministratorPO Box 607Chipley, FL 32428(850) 638-0250 ex 532, Suncom: 767-1532 [email protected]

District 4Gerry O’Reilly, Director of Transportation Development3400 West Commercial BoulevardFt. Lauderdale, FL 33309(954) 777-4411, Fax: (954) [email protected]

District 5Susan Sadighi, Systems Planning Section133 South Semoran BoulevardOrlando, FL 32807(407) 482-7800, Fax: (407) [email protected]

District 6Gary Donn, Director of Planning and Programs, PTO and Administration1000 NW 111 AvenueMiami, FL 33172(305) 470-5145, Fax: (305) [email protected]

District 7Carol Collins, LGCP/CMS Coordinator11201 North McKinley Drive, MS 7-500Tampa, FL 33612-6456(813) 975-6444, Fax: (813) [email protected]

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EscambiaSantaRosa Okaloosa

Walton

Bay

GulfFranklin

Wakulla

Jefferson

Taylor

Dixie

Nassau

Levy

St. Johns

Flagler

Volusia

Citrus

Hernando

Pasco

Manatee

Sarasota

Brevard

IndianRiver

St. Lucie

Martin

Palm Beach

Charlotte

Lee

Broward

Pinellas

Collier

DadeMonroe

Hillsborough

Holmes

Washington

Jackson

Calhoun

Liberty

Gadsden

Leon Madison

Lafayette

Suwannee

Hamilton

Baker

Union

BradfordClay

PutnamAlachua

Marion

LakeSeminole

Sum

ter

Orange

Osceola

Polk

Hardee

DeSotoHighlands

Glades

Okeechobee

Hendry

Columbia

Gilchrist

Monroe County

Duval

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DOACS)Charles Maynard, Chiefor Jack DoddDivision of Forestry3125 Conner BoulevardTallahassee, FL 32301(850) 488-6591, Suncom: 278-6591Fax: (850) [email protected]@doacs.state.fl.us

Department of Education (DOE)Jerry Martin, ChiefOffice of Educational Facilities and Smart School Clearinghouse1004 Turlington BuildingTallahassee, FL 32399-0400(850) 488-9741, Suncom: 278-6741Fax: (850) [email protected]

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)Jim Quinn, Environmental ManagerOffice of Intergovernmental Programs3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 47Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000(850) 245-2163, Suncom: 205-2163Fax: (850) [email protected]@dep.state.fl.us

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)Mary Ann Poole, DirectorOffice of Environmental Services620 South Meridian StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-1600(850) 488-6661Fax: (850) [email protected]

FWC Regional Officeshttp://myfwc.com/aboutus/regnoffc.html

Northwest RegionLt. Col. Louie Roberson, Director3911 Highway 231Panama City, FL 32409-1658(850) 265-3678

North Central RegionRolando Garcia, Director3377 E. US Highway 90Lake City, FL 32055(386) 785-0525

Northeast RegionDennis David, Director1239 SW 10th StreetOcala, FL 34474-2729(352) 732-1225

Southwest RegionGreg Holder, Director3900 Drane Field RoadLakeland, FL 33811-1299(863) 648-3203

South RegionChuck Collins, Director8535 Northlake BoulevardWest Palm Beach, FL 33412(561) 625-5122

Punta Gorda Office3941 Tamiami Trail, Suite 3111Punta Gorda, FL 33950(941) 575-5784Fax: (941) 575-5766

Department of Health (DOH)Bart Bibler, ChiefBureau of Water Programs4042 Bald Cypress Way, Suite 230Tallahassee, FL [email protected](850) 245-4240, Fax: (850) 921-0298

Gerald Briggs, ChiefBureau of Onsite Sewage Programs4042 Bald Cypress Way, Suite 240Tallahassee, FL [email protected]

Department of State (DOS)Laura Kammerer, Historic Preservationist SupervisorDivision of Historic Preervation500 S. Bronough St., 4th Floor, MS 8Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250(850) 245-6333, SC 205-6333Fax: (850) [email protected]/preserrvation

Other State Agency Contacts

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EscambiaSantaRosa Okaloosa

Walton

Bay

GulfFranklin

Wakulla

Jefferson

Taylor

Dixie

Nassau

Levy

St. Johns

Flagler

Volusia

Citrus

Hernando

Pasco

Manatee

Sarasota

Brevard

IndianRiver

St. Lucie

Martin

Palm Beach

Charlotte

Lee

Broward

Pinellas

Collier

DadeMonroe

Hillsborough

Holmes

Washington

Jackson

Calhoun

Liberty

Gadsden

Leon Madison

Lafayette

Suwannee

Hamilton

Baker

Union

BradfordClay

PutnamAlachua

Marion

LakeSeminole

Sum

ter

Orange

Osceola

Polk

Hardee

DeSotoHighlands

Glades

Okeechobee

Hendry

Columbia

Gilchrist

Monroe County

Duval

AlachuaFlorida Public School SuperintendentsDr. W. Daniel Boyd, Jr.620 East University Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601-5448352/955-7880Fax: 352/955-7873E-mail: [email protected]

BrowardDr. Franklin L. Till, Jr.600 S.E. Third AvenueFort Lauderdale, FL 33301-3125754/321-2600Fax: 754/321-2701E-mail: [email protected]

CollierMr. Raymond J. Baker5775 Osceola TrailNaples, FL 34109-0919239/377-0212Fax: 239/377-0206E-mail: [email protected]

DuvalMr. Joseph Wise 1701 Prudential DriveJacksonville, FL 32207-8182904/390-2115Fax: 904/390-2586E-mail: [email protected]

EscambiaMr. Jim Paul215 West Garden StreetPensacola, FL 32502-5782850/469-6130Fax: 850/469-6379E-mail: [email protected]

HillsboroughMs. MaryEllen EliaPO Box 3408Tampa, FL 33601-3408813/272-4050Fax: 813/272-4038E-mail: [email protected]

Indian RiverMr. Thomas (Tom) B. Maher1990 25th StreetVero Beach, FL 32960-3395772/564-3150Fax: 772/564-3128E-mail: [email protected]

Leon Mr. William J. Montford, III2757 W. Pensacola StreetTallahassee, FL 32304 Phone: 850/487-7100Fax: 850/487-7100E-mail: [email protected]

ManateeDr. Roger DearingPO Box 9069Bradenton, FL 34206-9069941/708-8770Fax: 941/708-8677E-mail: [email protected]

Miami-DadeDr. Rudolph F. Crew1450 NE Second Avenue, #912Miami, FL 33132-1308305/995-1430Fax: 305/995-1488E-mail: [email protected]

MarionMr. James Yancey, Jr.PO Box 670Ocala, FL 34478-0670352/671-7702Fax: 352/671-7581E-mail: [email protected]

Okaloosa Mr. Don Gaetz120 Lowery Place SEFt. Walton Beach, FL 32548-5595850/833-3109Fax: 850/833-3401E-mail: [email protected]

OrangeMr. Ronald (Ron) BlockerPO Box 271Orlando, FL 32802-0271407/317-3202Fax: 407/317-3401E-mail: [email protected]

Palm BeachDr. Arthur C. Johnson3340 Forest Hill Blvd, C316West Palm Beach, FL 33406-5869561/434-8200Fax: 561/434-8571E-mail: [email protected]

PinellasDr. Clayton M. WilcoxPO Box 2942Largo, FL 33779-2942727/588-6011Fax: 727/588-6200E-mail: [email protected]

PolkDr. Gail McKinziePO Box 391Bartow, FL 33831-0391863/534-0521Fax: 863/519-8231E-mail: [email protected]

SarasotaDr. Gary W. Norris1960 Landings BoulevardSarasota, FL 34231-3365941/927-9000Fax: 941/927-2539E-mail: [email protected]

SeminoleDr. Bill Vogel400 East Lake Mary BlvdSanford, FL 32773-7127407/320-0006Fax: 407/320-0281E-mail: [email protected]

VolusiaDr. Margaret A. SmithPO Box 2118DeLand, FL 32721-2118386/734-7190Fax: 386/734-2842E-mail: [email protected]

School Board Superintendents

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Administration Commission (AC): One of the titles of the Governor and Cabinet sitting as a collegial body. Its duties include issuing final orders in cases where comprehensive plans and amendments are found to be “not in compliance.”

Area of Critical State Concern (ACSC): A statutory designation for an area that receives state oversight in the issuance of development orders, adoption of land development regulations, and the adoption of comprehensive plans. Designated areas contain, or have a significant impact upon, environmental or natural resources of regional or statewide importance, including, but not limited to, state or federal parks, forests, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, aquatic preserves, major rivers and estuaries, state environmentally endangered lands, Outstanding Florida Waters, and aquifer recharge areas, the uncontrolled private or public development of which would cause substantial deterioration of such resources. Current ACSC areas are the Florida Keys, the Green Swamp, Big Cypress, and Apalachicola.

Affordable Housing: Means housing for which monthly rents or monthly mortgage payments, including taxes, insurance, and utilities, do not exceed 30 percent of that amount which represents the percentage of the median adjusted gross annual income for the households or persons indicated in Section 420.0004, F.S. Affordable housing definitions that are prescribed by other affordable housing programs administered by either the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development or the State of Florida may be used by local governments if such programs

are implemented by the local government to provide affordable housing.

BEBR: Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida. Provides popu-lation data used by many local governments in their data and analysis.

Binding Letter: A written opinion issued by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) regarding Development of Regional Impact (DRI) status. Various types include: Binding Letter of Determination (BLID), in which DRI status is evaluated; Binding Letter of Vested Rights (BLIVR), in which vested rights are determined; and Binding Letter of Modification (BLIM), in which it is determined whether a modification to a vested DRI is substantial.

Clustering: Grouping together of structures and infrastructures on a portion of a develop-ment site, leaving the remainder preserved or vacant.

Compatible: Land uses that can coexist near each other, such that neither uses negatively impacts the other.

Coastal High-Hazard Area: The coastal high-hazard area is the area below the elevation of the category 1 storm surge line as established by a Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) computerized storm surge model.

Concurrency: The concept that public facilities and services necessary to maintain the adopted

4 This list of definitions is not intended to replace or supplant any statutory definition and is presented for informational purposes only

Florida DCA Common Growth Management Terms and Acronyms4

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level of service standards are available at the same time as the impacts of development.

Division of Community Planning (DCP): Department staff responsible for the review of, and assistance with, local comprehensive plans and plan amendments; developments of regional impact; land use and environmental siting; metropolitan planning organization transporta-tion plans; and Areas of Critical State Concern.

Density: An objective measurement of the number of people or residential units allowed per unit of land, such as resident or employees per acre.

Development Permit: Any building permit, site plan, zoning permit, plat approval, rezoning, certification, variance or other official action of a local government having the effect of per-mitting development.

Development Order (DO): Any order granting, denying, or granting with conditions an application for a development permit.

Development of Regional Impact (DRI): A statutory term applied to projects that must undergo a special review process because their character, magnitude, or location, would have a substantial effect upon the health, safety, or welfare of citizens of more than one county. The various local governments in which the project is located issue the DRI development order.

Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR): The product of a local government’s review of the success in implementing its plan after it has been in effect for seven years.

Floor Area Ratio (FAR): A common way to calculate the intensity of nonresidential development.

Florida Intrastate Highway System (FIHS): A network of state highways.

Future Land Use Map (FLUM): A map contained within the Future Land Use Element of comprehensive plans that generally depicts fu-ture development patterns and various features, such as environmental resources, schools, and historically significant properties.

Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission (FLWAC): One of the many ti-tles of the Governor and Cabinet sitting as a collegial body. Its duties include issuing final orders on DRI and ACSC cases.

Florida Quality Development (FQD): An optional special type of DRI in which additional requirements, such as open space ratio, must be met. DCA issues the development order, not the local governments.

Hurricane Vulnerability Zone: The areas delineated by the regional or local hurricane evacuation plan as requiring evacuation. The hurricane vulnerability zone shall include areas requiring evacuation in the event of a 100-year storm or Category 3 storm event.

Intergovernmental Coordination Element (ICE): A required comprehensive plan element that addresses coordinating planning efforts between local governments and also with units of local government that do not have regulatory authority over the use of land, such as school boards.

In Compliance: A term applied to a comprehensive plan or amendment that meets the require-ments of Sections 163.3177, 163.3178, 163.3180, 163.91 and 163.3245, Florida Statutes (F.S.); with the State Comprehensive Plan (Chapter 187, F.S.); the applicable Strategic Regional Policy

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Plan (Chapter 186.507, F.S.); Rule 9J-5, Florida Administrative Code; and the principles for guiding development in designated areas of critical state concern.

Infrastructure: Man-made structures which serve the common needs of people, such as sewers, water systems, landfills, roads and bridges, and utilities; whether owned by government or by private companies or persons.

Intensity: An objective measurement of the ex-tent to which land may be developed for nonresidential uses, such as floor-area-ratios or square feet per acre.

Land Development Regulation (LDR): A regulation adopted by a local government to implement its comprehensive plan. Examples include zoning, wellhead protection, and signage, protecting environmentally significant lands.

Level of Service (LOS): A standard adopted by a local government in its comprehensive plan applicable to a public facility or service. Example: A roadway segment with a LOS of “B.” In approving development orders, level of service standards must be maintained.

Land: As used in growth management laws, “Land” includes the earth, water, and air, whether located above, below or on the surface.

Local Government: A county, city or town.

Local Planning Agency: An agency appointed by a county or city commission to draft the comprehensive plan for the local government. Some local governments call it the “planning commission,” and some county and city com-missions serve as the local planning agency or planning commission.

Municipal Planning Organization (MPO): Commonly referred to as an M.P.O., municipal planning organizations are designated for each

urbanized area of the State to encourage and promote the safe and efficient management, operation, and development of surface trans-portation systems that will serve the mobility needs of people and freight within and through urbanized areas of this state while minimizing transportation-related fuel consumption and air pollution. MPOs are responsible for developing, in cooperation with the state and public transit operators, transportation plans and programs for metropolitan areas. The plans and programs for each metropolitan area must provide for the development and integrated management and operation of transportation systems and fa-cilities, including pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities that will function as an intermodal transportation system for the metropolitan area.

New Town: A new urban activity center and community designated on the future land use map and located within a rural area or at the rural-urban fringe, clearly functionally distinct or geographically separated from existing urban areas and other new towns.

Notice of Intent (NOI): The notice which announces the Department’s intent to find a particular comprehensive plan or plan amend-ment to be either “in compliance” or “not in compliance” with the governing statutory and regulatory provisions. A NOI is published in a newspaper of general circulation within the affected local government.

Notice of Proposed Change (NOPC): The form by which a developer requests review of a change to a previously approved development of regional impact.

Notice of Violation (NOV): The written notice from the Department to an alleged violator which begins an administrative proceeding regarding violations pertaining to areas of critical state concern, or to obtain compliance with binding letters, agreements, rules, orders, or development

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orders relative to developments of regional impact or Areas of Critical State Concern.

Outstanding Florida Water (OFW): Waters designated by the Environmental Regulation Commission as worthy of special protection because of their natural attributes. This special designation is applied to certain waters with the intent of maintaining existing good water quality. Most OFWs are areas managed by the state or federal government as a park. Examples include wildlife refuges, preserves, marine sanctuaries, estuarine research reserves, certain waters within state or national forests, scenic and wild rivers, or aquatic preserves.

Objections, Recommendations, and Comments Report (ORC): The report issued by the Department of Community Affairs in response to a proposed comprehensive plan or plan amendment which outlines in detail the Department’s objections, recommendations, and comments to the proposed action.

Preliminary Development Agreement (PDA): A written agreement between a developer and the Department relative to a development of regional impact which agreement allows a developer to proceed with a limited amount of the total proposed development, subject to all other governmental approvals and solely at the developer’s own risk, prior to issuance of a final development order.

Planned Unit Development (PUD): A lan-duse designation and zoning which provides for a variety of uses and intensities within a development site to preserve conservation areas, reduce public investment in provision of services, encourage flexible and creative site design and to provide sites for schools, recre-ation, and other public facilities which provide an area-wide benefit to the community.

Public Facilities: Physical infrastructure constructed or owned by governments for the

purpose of providing services, such as roads, water plants, parks and schools.

Public Facilities and Services: Those facilities and services that must be made available concurrent with the impacts of development. Specifically included are those covered by comprehensive plan elements required by Section 163.3177, F.S., and for which level of service standards must be adopted. The public facilities and services include at a minimum: roads; sanitary sewer; solid waste; stormwater; water supply; parks and recreation; mass transit, if applicable; and public school facilities.

Purchase of Development Rights (PDRs): Acquisitions of the right to develop a parcel, so that the parcel can thereafter only be for conser-vation or agricultural uses.

Regional Planning Council (RPC): A regional entity that is in a position to plan for and coordinate intergovernmental solutions to growth related problems on greater-than-local issues, provide technical assistance to local govern-ments, and meet other needs of the communities in each region. Florida has eleven RPCs.

State Comprehensive Plan (SCP): A plan that provides long-range guidance for the orderly social, economic, and physical growth of the state. The plan is composed of goals, objectives, and policies that are briefly stated in plain, easily un-derstandable words and that give specific policy direction to state and regional agencies.

Statement of Intent (SOI): A document issued by the Department to supplement the NOI finding an amendment not in compliance and which explains in detail the Department’s com-pliance issues and recommendations to cure deficiencies in a comprehensive plan or plan amendment that has been transmitted to the Department for compliance review.

Solid Waste: Garbage, refuse, rubbish, or other

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discarded material, but not including sewage.

Transportation Concurrency Exception Area (TCEA): An area in which a local government has granted an exception from the concurrency requirements for transportation facilities. An exception in the comprehensive plan may be granted where proposed development is otherwise consistent with the adopted local government comprehensive plan and is a project that promotes public transportation or is located within an area designated in the comprehensive plan for: 1) Urban infill development; 2) Urban redevelopment; 3) Downtown revitalization; or 4) Urban infill and redevelopment.

Transportation Concurrency Management Area (TCMA): The purpose of this optional alternative transportation concurrency approach is to promote infill development or redevel-opment within selected portions of urban areas in a manner that supports the provision of more efficient mobility alternatives, including public transit. As a coordinated approach to land use and transportation development, it may employ the use of an area-wide level of service standard and an accommodation and management of traffic congestion. A transportation concurrency

management area is a compact geographic area with existing or proposed multiple, viable alternative travel paths or modes for common trips.

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR): Acquisition of the right to develop a parcel and placing that right to develop on another parcel so that the donor parcel can thereafter only be used for conservation or agriculture uses, and the recipient parcel can be developed at a higher density or intensity than otherwise. Often, the donor parcel is in an environmentally sensitive area, while the recipient parcel is not.

Urban Service Area (USA): An area wherein public facilities and services such as sewage treatment systems, roads, schools, and recreation areas are either already in place or are proposed for future placement in the Capital Improvements Element and Capital Improvements Program.

Urban Area: An area of or for development charac-terized by social, economic, and institutional activities which are predominantly based on the manufacture, production, distribution, or provision of goods and services in a setting which typically includes residen-tial and nonresidential development uses other than those which are characteristic of rural areas.

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Urban Infill and Redevelopment Area: An area or areas designated by a local government where: (a) Public services such as water and wastewater, transportation, schools, and recre-ation are already available or are scheduled to be provided in an adopted five-year schedule of capital improvements; (b) The area, or one or more neighborhoods within the area, suffers from pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress as defined by s. 290.0058; (c) The area exhibits a proportion of properties that are substandard, overcrowded, dilapidated, vacant or abandoned, or functionally obsolete which is higher than the average for the local govern-ment; (d) More than 50 percent of the area is within 1/4 mile of a transit stop, or a sufficient number of such transit stops will be made avail-able concurrent with the designation; and (e) The area includes or is adjacent to community redevelopment areas, brownfields, enterprise zones, or Main Street programs, or has been designated by the state or Federal Government as an urban redevelopment, revitalization, or in-fill area under empowerment zone, enterprise community, or brownfield showcase commu-nity programs or similar programs.

Urban Sprawl: Urban development or uses

which are located in predominantly rural areas, or rural areas interspersed with generally low-intensity or low-density urban uses, and which are characterized by one or more of the following conditions: (a) The premature or poorly planned conversion of rural land to other uses; (b) The creation of areas of urban development or uses which are not functionally related to land uses which predominate the adjacent area; or (c) The creation of areas of urban development or uses which fail to maximize the use of existing public facilities or the use of areas within which public services are currently provided. Urban sprawl is typically manifested in one or more of the following land use or development patterns: leapfrog or scattered development; ribbon or strip commercial or other development; or large expanses of predominantly low-intensity, low density, or single-use development.

Water Management District (WMD): Any of five regional water management districts in Florida. The WMDs were created by the Florida Legislature through passage of the Water Resources Act of 1972. The four main areas of responsibility are water supply, flood protec-tion, water quality management, and natural systems management.

Page 32: Comprehensive Planning in Florida - Edocs

Prepared by

in consultation withThe Cambric Group

August 2006

Comprehensive Planning in Florida: A Guidebook for Front Porch Florida Communities

Published by theFlorida Department of Community Affairs

Housing and Community Development DivisionOffice of Urban Opportunity

2555 Shumard Oak BoulevardTallahassee, Florida 32399-0001

Telephone: (850) 487-9557Fax: (850) 487-9544

Email: [email protected]: www.dca.state.fl.us

Prepared in conjunction with and funded by the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Division of Community Planning.