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Comprehensive Plan Introductory Element Introduction The Indian River County Comprehensive Plan is a product of the most ambitious planning effort in the county's 72 year history. Mandated by the State Comprehensive Planning Act of 1985, the comprehensive plan addresses the many issues and problems associated with growth management. The Introductory Element provides a summary of much of the information and data. As such, this element provides background information concerning the historical development of the county and information common to, and necessary for, the development of the individual elements of the plan. A brief overview of previous planning efforts in the county and the general requirements and process of this planning initiative are also included. Location Indian River county is located on the east coast of Florida in the Treasure Coast Region. The County is bounded by Brevard County on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, St Lucie County on the south and Osceola and Okeechobee counties on the west. The county seat of Vero Beach is approximately 135 miles north of Miami, 140 miles east of Tampa, 100 miles southeast of Orlando and 200 miles south of Jacksonville. (see figure 1.1) In addition to the City of Vero Beach, there are four other municipalities in the county: the City of Sebastian, the City of Fellsmere, the Town of Indian River Shores and the Town of Orchid. Nearly two-thirds of the population resides in the unincorporated portion of the county. More than 90% of the county's residents live along the coast within 10 miles of the Atlantic ocean. The general land formation of the county is coastal lowland. This is a relatively flat area with elevations of less than 25 feet above mean sea level. The key physical features of the mainland area of the county are the St. Johns Marsh in the western portion of the county, the Ten Mile Ridge in the central part of the county, and the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in the east. An offshore barrier island extends the entire length of the county separated from the mainland by the Indian River Lagoon. The natural and physical features of the county are discussed in detail in the Conservation, Coastal Management and Future Land Use Elements of the comprehensive plan. Planning History Early planning efforts in Indian River County were not as formalized nor did these early plans have the force of law that current regulations possess. These endeavors were undertaken by civic and business committees and sought solutions to individual problems or were confined to specific projects. The first formalized regulation was the 1957 Zoning Ordinance, which created districts, Community Development Department Indian River County Supplement #_; Ordinance 2005- 1