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K. The support of development near transportation <br />hubs and major employment centers and mixed-use <br />developments. <br />In Indian River County, the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies areas appropriate for <br />residential development and the appropriate density for those areas. The objective of the <br />FLUM is to create a land use pattern that situates residential development in close <br />proximity to schools, health care facilities, employment centers, and major roadways. <br />Policy 1.9 of the housing element provides support of development near transportation <br />hubs, major development centers, and mixed-use developments. The policy reads as <br />follows: <br />Policy 1.9: The county shall support housing development near transportation hubs, <br />major employment center, and mixed-use development by expediting the permit process <br />for these types of housing projects <br />ANALYSIS: <br />In Indian River County, the future land use map is an important tool in establishing <br />appropriate locations for residential development. Generally, the map provides for <br />residential development to be located near compatible land uses, existing neighborhoods, <br />and proximate to public transportation, major employment centers, and community <br />services. Ideally, affordable housing projects should be located near employment centers <br />and transportation hubs for additional savings in terms of transportation cost and travel <br />time. For that reason, the county supports locating affordable housing developments near <br />transportation hubs, major employment centers and mixed-use developments by expediting <br />the permit process for these types of housing projects. <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />The county should maintain housing element policy 1.9 for support of residential <br />developments to be located near transportation hubs, employment centers, and mixed-use <br />developments by expediting permit review for these types of developments. At its next <br />Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) review, the county will examine its land use <br />policies and land use designations to determine if such policies and designations are <br />appropriate for encouraging development near transportation hubs and major employment <br />centers and consistent with a recent AHAC recommendation will evaluate the need for <br />additional multi -family allowances (either through increased multi -family zoning or <br />increased allowances for multi -family housing in other zoning districts). Solutions will be <br />reviewed with the County Attorney to consider any potential legal issues and proposed to <br />the BCC. <br />59 <br />2b <br />