2010-252A (17) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Two methods in which Indian River County allows clustered development on agricultural land are through agricultural planned developments (discussed above under "Residential Development in Agricultural Areas") and new towns (see below). ➢ Rural Lands Stewardship Program Established by the Florida legislature in 2001, the Rural Lands Stewardship Program (RLSP) is another planning tool available to local jurisdictions to preserve significant agricultural and environmental lands. The goal of the RLSP is to provide rural landowners with economic incentives to protect environmental features and beneficial agricultural uses, while allowing development in appropriate settings. Where adopted as an overlay by a local jurisdiction, the RLSP establishes a trading program that assigns development credits to natural resources. To build in a stewardship area, a developer needs to purchase development credits from rural land owners. To date, the only jurisdiction in the state to establish an RLSP is St. Lucie County. That RLSP project covers the Adams Ranch and Cloud Grove properties. Recently, that project was terminated. While started in Collier County prior to establishment of the RLSP by the state legislature, Ave Maria is the project which most resembles an RLSP project in Florida. ➢ Accessory agricultural uses Another action that the county should take to preserve agriculture is to amend its land development regulations to allow for small-scale accessory agricultural facilities in agricultural areas. In case biofuel crops become economically viable, the county should allow small-scale biofuel processing facilities as part of agricultural operations in areas designated AG -2 and AG - 3. For economic reasons, biof iel processing facilities need to be located near the crops that are grown. Allowing small-scale biof iel processing facilities as part of agricultural operations will provide agricultural land owners with new crop opportunities should citrus continue to be embattled with disease. ➢ Water farming Water farming is the conversion of agricultural land into surface reservoirs for water storage. In addition to providing an alternative use for agricultural land, reservoirs may serve as an alternative water supply source, may serve to treat stormwater, or may serve as an irrigation source, while also attenuating the flow of stormwater into the Indian River Lagoon, where excessive stormwater runoff can adversely impact water quality. Also, water farming can maintain the rural character of the county's agricultural areas and provide agricultural land owners with an additional source of income. In its final report, the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast recommends the use of agricultural lands for reservoirs. To this end, the county's policy should be to promote the development of reservoirs in agricultural areas. Future Land Use Element 112