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essential role in the normal functioning of the county's ecosystems. Future Land Use Element Policy 1.6 states that privately owned estuarine wetlands will be designated as Conservation -2, while Future Land Use Element Policy 1.7 states that the boundaries of Conservation -2 shall be determined by an environmental survey. Because the subject property contains privately owned estuarine wetland areas that possess qualities and features that play a vital or essential role in the county's ecosystems and because the boundaries of those wetlands have been determined by a survey, changing the zoning of the estuarine wetlands to CON -2, Conservation District -2 (up to 1 unit/ 40 acres), is consistent with and will implement Future Land Use Element Policies 1. 5, 1.6 and 1.7. While the referenced policies are particularly applicable to this request, other Comprehensive Plan policies and objectives also have relevance. For that reason, staff evaluated the subject request for consistency with all applicable plan policies and objectives. Based upon that analysis, staff determined that the request is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Compatibility with the Surrounding Area Staff's position is that the requested zoning districts are appropriate for the site and that development of the uplands under the RS -3 zoning district and preservation of the wetlands under the CON -2 zoning district would be compatible with surrounding land uses. At least two factors indicate that the proposed RS -3 zoning district would be appropriate for this portion of the county; these are: the underlying designation on the Future Land Use Map of L-1, Low -Density Residential -1 (up to 3 units per acre); and the development pattern in this portion of the County. Since properties to the east and south are zoned RS -3, rezoning the subject property to RS-3/CON- 2 would constitute an extension of the RS -3 zoning, thereby ensuring compatibility. Equally important is the development pattern in this portion of the county. This area of the county is primarily developed with low density single family residential properties. Many of these properties are at a density that is equivalent to the density that would be allowed under the proposed RS-3/CON-2 zoning. Therefore, no incompatibilities are anticipated to occur as a result of the proposed rezoning. For these reasons, staff feels that the requested RS-3/CON-2 zoning districts would be compatible with development in the surrounding area. Potential Impact on Environmental Quality The upland portion of the subject property has been cleared to a large extent and is no longer in its natural state while the wetlands portion of the overall site is in its natural state. When an application for development approval is submitted, the County will conduct a detailed review of potential environmental impacts of development on the subject property and apply applicable development criteria. Also, CON -2 zoning of the western 2/3rds of the site provides for maximum environmental protection. For these reasons, no adverse environmental impacts associated with this rezoning request are anticipated. 191