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Comprehensive Plan Introductory Element provided for the regulation of the use of land, and placed restrictions on the intensity of those uses. On May 29, 1975, the county adopted a comprehensive plan, as a guide and advisory tool in the regulation and control of private property. The legal control of development was still to be vested in the zoning, platting, and other specific ordinances adopted by the county. Also in 1975, the state enacted the Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act, which required the designation of a local planning agency as well as the development of comprehensive plan. In response to that act, the Board of County Commissioners, in 1982, adopted a comprehensive plan that did have the force of law. Zoning, subdivision, and other land use regulations were required to conform to that comprehensive plan. In addition, amendments to the comprehensive plan were subject to review by regional and state agencies and could be submitted only twice annually. Finally, the Board of County Commissioners designated the Planning and Zoning Commission as the local planning agency. • The state expanded the scope of the comprehensive planning requirement in Florida with adoption of the 1985 Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act, commonly referred to as the Growth Management Act. In 1986, the act was further refined with the requirements set forth in rule 9J-5 of the Florida Administrative Code. These actions established a top down planning process in Florida, a process in which plans were developed first at both the state and regional levels. Consistent with state law, local governments had to develop and must maintain adopted comprehensive plans which are consistent with both the intent and specific objectives set forth in the state and regional plans. On February 13, 1990, pursuant to the requirements of the Growth Management Act, Indian River County adopted its current comprehensive plan. The Growth Management Act and rule 9J-5 recognize that changing circumstances may necessitate amendments to comprehensive plans. Therefore, amendments to the plan are allowed when certain criteria are met. Since plan adoption, Indian River County has amended its plan several times. Those amendments have ranged in significance from minor text changes to substantial future land use map changes. Another provision of state law recognizes that periodic assessment and evaluation is a required part of the planning process. For that reason, each of Florida's local governments is required to submit an adopted Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) to the State Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Generally, local governments with 1992 populations of more than 2,500 persons must submit their EAR's to DCA approximately seven years after plan adoption. Indian River County's EAR was adopted on December 17, 1996 and transmitted to DCA on December 20, 1996. The EAR identified many changes necessary to update the plan to reflect new data, changes in state law, and new circumstances in the community. Those changes were incorporated into an EAR based Community Development Department Indian River County Supplement #_; Ordinance 2005- 2