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proposed route does not cross any wetlands, there would be a small impact on some native upland plant communities. - Changes to Data and Analysis, Table 4.1, and Policies 2.1, 8.3 and 8.5 Other proposed changes to the Traffic Circulation Element are minor. The proposed amendment will update Traffic Circulation Element Table 4.1 by replacing existing data with the latest and best available data. The proposed changes to Policy 2.1 will incorporate that new data into LOS calculations.. Using the latest and best available data ensures accurate modeling for long range transportation -planning. Roadway capacities derived from FDOT level of service tables are used in the roadway needs analysis described in the Traffic Circulation Element. In fact, FDOT capacities were used in the recent MPO roadway needs analysis. In the next comprehensive plan amendment cycle (July 1995), staff will significantly revise Tables 4.7.1, 4.7.2 and 4.7.3 and the data and analysis section to reflect the MPO's adopted Long Range Transportation Plan and the use of the revised LOS standards. The proposed changes to Policy 2.1 will provide for the use of - state road LOS standards for all county roads. That change reflects the fact that state and county roads are designed and operate similarly. Additionally, the proposed change will increase efficiency in administration. Finally, changes to the Traffic Circulation Element involve policies 8.3 and 8.5. The intent of these policies is to ensure intergovernmental coordination in transportation planning An the county. The proposed changes work to accomplish that task by incorporating the formation of, and the existing transportation planning responsibilities of, the MPO into these policies. THE ORC REPORT'S COMMENT AND STAFF'S RESPONSE The Department of Community Affairs' Objections, Recommendations and Comments (ORC) Report states that the proposed amendment to add the Citrus Highway Corridor to the Future Traffic Circulation Map may precipitate requests for increased densities and intensities of land use along the roadway, thus encouraging urban sprawl. Therefore, the ORC Report states that the county should adopt objectives and policies that specifically protect the purpose of the road. Staff feels that existing comprehensive plan policies to discourage sprawl, strip commercial development, the premature conversion of agricultural land to urban uses, and development without adequate infrastructure, will ensure that the proposed highway remains primarily an agricultural route, as it was originally intended. Any request to increase land use density or intensity along the highway would require the adoption of a land use amendment to the comprehensive plan. Furthermore, both the Hoard of County Commissioners and reviewing state agencies would have to find such a request consistent with the county and state comprehensive plans, both of which contain policies discouraging sprawl. For those reasons, staff feels that creating and adopting the policies suggested in -tile ORC Report is unnecessary. 40 October 24, 1995