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Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element Landscaping and Aesthetic Improvements in Transportation Corridors Acknowledging the significance of landscaping to the quality of life of the traveling public and to surrounding neighborhoods, the county has begun to expend significant funds on landscaping for county roadway projects. In fact, the county's commitment to landscaping its roadways is almost 3% of total project cost, close to what FDOT's landscaping costs average on roadway construction and resurfacing projects. In much the same way as developers provide sidewalks, many private developers provide landscaping improvements adjacent to major road rights-of-way. In most cases, these improvements are required by Indian River County's adopted Land Development Regulations and Corridor Plans. In addition to landscaping, other factors (such as buffering, adjacent land uses, and architectural styles) affect the appearance and functionality of a roadway. One technique for improving the appearance of corridors is the adoption of corridor plans. In November of 1995, the county adopted its first corridor plan, the Wabasso corridor plan. Since that time, other corridor plans have been enacted. Now, corridor plans apply to all of the county's principal arterials and many of its other major roadways. While the details of these plans vary by corridor, all of the plans contain regulations on permitted activities, landscaping, architectural guidelines, outdoor advertising, and other elements that may improve a neighborhood's overall aesthetics. At this time, landscaping is now a standard feature of the county's roadway improvement projects. In Indian River County, the cost of landscaping (including plant materials, irrigation hardware, and installation) varies between $100,000/mile for a minimal installation of trees and paver blocks to $250,000/mile for a design that includes trees, understory plantings, and turf grass. It should be noted, however, that the true cost of landscaping is usually much higher, depending on the availability of right-of-way necessary to support the landscaping. For example, the standard minimum FDOT urban roadside typical section for a four -lane roadway specifies that, in addition to right-of-way needed for sidewalks, utility easements, and horizontal clearance, a minimum of 8 feet of right-of-way (2.4 meters) is needed for roadside trees within road rights-of-way. Hence, the cost of right of way needed for landscaped shoulders adjacent to roadways could cost between $100,000 and $1,000,000 per mile (based on right of way costs of $2 sq. ft. in rural areas to $26 sq. ft. in urban commercial areas). According to the 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan, there will be approximately 40 centerline miles of new roadway needing right-of-way in the next twenty years. The Florida Highway Landscape Guide, an FDOT publication authorized by 339.24, F.S., states that "Local Government Comprehensive Plans should include a section on aesthetic treatments of streets and highways." The 2025 Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) further recommends that the landscaping materials used on projects be compatible with adjacent landscaping on nearby parcels. Going forward, the county's policy should be to establish minimum expenditure levels on landscaping in conjunction with roadway projects where ample right-of-way can be easily obtained; incorporate idealized typical sections into roadway designs; and establish a procedure for roadway and transit facility aesthetic design review. Community Development Department Indian River County 87