2010-252A (17) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The suitability of existing areas and the need for future industrial land are discussed in the land use analysis section. AGRICULTURE Agricultural land use includes land used for the production of food, crops and supportive uses; land used for agricultural sales, rangeland and pasture land; as well as land lying fallow which is part of a parcel that is currently or previously was agriculturally productive. This category also includes single-family houses which may be associated with active agricultural operations. At present, agriculture constitutes the largest land use category in the county. In 2008, 136,896 acres were designated for agricultural use. This represents over 51% of the unincorporated area of the county. Currently, agricultural land uses are located throughout the county. This includes virtually all land west of I-95 except the City of Fellsmere, the St. Johns Marsh and a small portion of the I- 95/SR 60 Commercial/Industrial Node. There are also significant areas of agricultural land within the area bounded by I-95, 58th Avenue, SR 60 and the City of Sebastian. In the south county, land between I-95 and 43rd Avenue also contains large agricultural areas; however, several other significant land uses in this area include the Oslo Road/I-95 Commercial/Industrial Node, the County Landfill, and the State Department of Corrections facility. RECREATION This category includes land used for neighborhood and community parks, public beaches and recreation areas, public golf courses and sports facilities, and some open space areas. Federal and state parks and lands are included in this category if they are developed or open for public use; otherwise, they are included as conservation land uses. Recreational facilities which are part of an educational institution are included in governmental and institutional land uses. In the unincorporated county, there are 1,283 acres of recreational land. These lands are located throughout the county. Parks in Indian River County are shown on Figure 2.8. Major recreational facilities in the county include: Kiwanis-Hobart Park in the Winter Beach area; Dale Wimbrow and Donald McDonald Park on the St. Sebastian River; South County Park at 20th Avenue and Oslo Road; North County Regional Park on CR 512; Gifford Park at 43rd Avenue and 49d' street; and the Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area on the barrier island. In addition, the county maintains several parks and beach access areas on the barrier island. Recreational facilities and parks are discussed in the Recreation and Open Space Element. Other natural uses are discussed in the Conservation Element. Overall, parks and recreational facilities are important to the development pattern of the county. In addition to providing recreational benefits, many recreational areas buffer dissimilar uses and/or protect the natural features of the landscape. Future Land Use Element 26