|
The Florida Legislature amended the statutes specific to how a local government reviews and updates its
<br />Comprehensive Plan in 2011. Before that date, communities were required to perform a complete diagnostic of
<br />the Plan and identify key items for consideration and discussion. That assessment was then provided to the
<br />Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA), later known as the Department of Economic Opportunity
<br />(DEO), and presently known as Florida Commerce, for review, consideration, and acceptance. This process
<br />then provided the opportunity to amend the local Comprehensive Plan. Since that time, communities have had
<br />the option to provide a summary letter denoting whether they intend to amend their Comprehensive Plan or if
<br />no updates have been deemed necessary. Although the process changed in 2011, the significance of regular
<br />review and subsequent amendment of the Comprehensive Plan, including its various elements, has not changed.
<br />Aligned with prior state regulations, the County embarked on its inaugural Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and
<br />Appraisal Report (EAR) in 1996, a milestone ratified by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) and
<br />endorsed as sufficient by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Subsequently, in 1998, the
<br />Comprehensive Plan underwent amendments to assimilate the insights gleaned from the 1996 EAR.
<br />Pre -2011 state mandates required periodic assessments via EARs to evaluate the efficacy of comprehensive
<br />plans, adapt to evolving conditions, and identify necessary revisions. Thus, in February 2006, the County
<br />commenced its second EAR, diligently adhering to the December 1, 2008, prescribed submission timeline. The
<br />BCC sanctioned the findings of the EAR on November 18, 2008, and the state validated them on February 25,
<br />2009. As a natural progression, amendments reflecting the 2008 EAR were seamlessly integrated into the
<br />Comprehensive Plan by the BCC on October 12, 2010.
<br />The legislative overhaul in 2011 ushered in streamlined procedures for Plan amendments and evaluation
<br />processes, accompanied by the transition from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to the Department
<br />of Economic Opportunity (DEO). House Bill 5, signed into law by Florida's Governor on May 31, 2023,
<br />renamed the DEO to the Department of Commerce, known also as Florida Commerce. Per F.S. 163.3191, the
<br />local government must evaluate its Plan to determine if amendments are necessary to reflect a required
<br />minimum planning period, changes in state requirements, and/or changes in local conditions. If the local
<br />government determines amendments to the Plan are necessary, the local government must prepare and transmit
<br />within one (1) year, such Plan amendment(s) for review.
<br />PREPARATION & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
<br />In March of 2023, the County initiated a process of completing a comprehensive EAR for the entire
<br />comprehensive plan. Since the Plan includes over 1,000 Goals, Objectives, and Policies within its Elements, the
<br />county solicited a request for proposal (RFP) for qualified planning consultants to assist with this monumental
<br />undertaking. The County selected Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., which then evaluated the Plan and had
<br />consistent dialogue, in writing, via virtual meetings with Staff to discuss the intention and significance of the
<br />goals, objectives, and policies of the respective Elements. The County, in partnership with Kimley-Horn, hosted
<br />public engagement opportunities, including multiple workshops online and in-person, as well as an online
<br />survey and interactive map. Involving the public ensures that the diverse needs and viewpoints of the
<br />community are considered, leading to more inclusive and representative decision-making. Public engagement
<br />also fosters transparency and accountability, as it allows residents to have a voice in shaping the future of their
<br />neighborhoods. Overall, public engagement helps build trust, ownership, and support for the EAR process's
<br />outcomes.
<br />The County facilitated six (6) public workshops over three (3) separate days, each approximately two (2) to
<br />three (3) weeks apart. The workshops were consistently held at 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on the days they
<br />occurred. Workshops were held at three (3) different locations in the County: North County Library (November
<br />16, 2023), the Board of County Commissioner Commission Chambers (November 29, 2023), and the
<br />Indian River County, Florida Page 2 of 4 Printed on 8/1/2025
<br />powered by Legistar- A
<br />
|