2010-252A (17) - Laserfiche WebLink

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ANALYSIS This analysis section addresses the key factors necessary for rational and efficient land use planning. Among those factors are: • the amount of land needed to accommodate growth; • the suitability of vacant land to accommodate growth; • development aesthetics; • the retention of rural lands, both natural and agricultural; and • the need for redevelopment. While previous comprehensive plans have been successful with regard to dictating where development occurs and setting maximum densities for new development, the county needs to ensure that this development pattern does not lead to low-density suburban sprawl throughout the urban service area. Suburban sprawl is characterized by low-density development consisting of disconnected, segregated uses. As discussed in the analysis below, the county's policy should be to promote clustered development; walkable, connected neighborhoods; and mixed use projects, while also sustaining the county's overall development pattern. As is highlighted in the final report of the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast, the retention of rural lands is essential for the continued functioning of the region's natural systems and a more sustainable development pattern. Rural lands consist of both natural areas and agricultural lands. Through public acquisition of natural lands for conservation purposes, a significant expansion of conservation lands has occurred in the county in recent years. While significant progress has been made in achieving the county's conservation objectives, agricultural lands have been faced with significant challenges and development pressures in recent years. Those challenges have included citrus diseases, the 2004 hurricanes, rising land values, encroachment of residential ranchettes, and municipal annexations. To protect existing agricultural uses, the county should limit the encroachment of rural sprawl, which consists of low density residential ranchettes, in agricultural areas and promote the preservation of agricultural uses. LAND NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE 2030 POPULATION The starting point for developing land use patterns and policies for 2030 rests with projections of the amount of land needed in each major land use category to serve or support the future population. This is accomplished with population projections and existing land use ratios. In assessing future land use needs, the agriculture and conservation land use groups were not included, since there is no rational connection between population and their use or need at the county level. Future Land Use Element 72