|
provided to the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA), later known as the Department of
<br />Economic Opportunity (DEO), and presently known as Florida Commerce, for review, consideration,
<br />and acceptance. This process then provided the opportunity to amend the local Comprehensive Plan.
<br />Since that time, communities have had the option to provide a summary letter denoting whether they
<br />intend to amend their Comprehensive Plan or if no updates have been deemed necessary. Although the
<br />process changed in 2011, the significance of regular review and subsequent amendment of the
<br />Comprehensive Plan, including its various elements, has not changed.
<br />Aligned with prior state regulations, the County embarked on its inaugural Comprehensive Plan
<br />Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) in 1996, a milestone ratified by the Board of County
<br />Commissioners (BCC) and endorsed as sufficient by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
<br />Subsequently, in 1998, the Comprehensive Plan underwent amendments to assimilate the insights
<br />gleaned from the 1996 EAR.
<br />Pre -2011 state mandates required periodic assessments via EARS to evaluate the efficacy of
<br />comprehensive plans, adapt to evolving conditions, and identify necessary revisions. Thus, in February
<br />2006, the County commenced its second EAR, diligently adhering to the December 1, 2008, prescribed
<br />submission timeline. The BCC sanctioned the findings of the EAR on November 18, 2008, and the state
<br />validated them on February 25, 2009. As a natural progression, amendments reflecting the 2008 EAR
<br />were seamlessly integrated into the 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
<br />Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). House Bill 5, signed into law by Florida's Governor on
<br />May 31, 2023, renamed the DEO to the Department of Commerce, known also as Florida Commerce.
<br />Per F.S. 163.319 1, the local government must evaluate its Plan to determine if amendments are necessary
<br />to reflect a required minimum planning period, changes in state requirements, and/or changes in local
<br />conditions. If the local government determines amendments to the Plan are necessary, the local
<br />government must prepare and transmit 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
<br />Elements, the county solicited a request for proposal (RFP) for qualified planning consultants to assist
<br />with this monumental undertaking. The County selected Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., which then
<br />evaluated the Plan and had consistent dialogue, in writing, via virtual meetings with Staff to discuss the
<br />intention and significance of the goals, objectives, and policies of the respective Elements.
<br />The County, in partnership with Kimley-Horn, hosted public engagement opportunities, including
<br />multiple workshops online and in-person, as well as an online survey and interactive map. Involving the
<br />public ensures that the diverse needs and viewpoints of the community are considered, leading to more
<br />inclusive and representative decision-making. Public engagement also fosters transparency and
<br />accountability, as it allows residents to have a voice in shaping the future of their neighborhoods. Overall,
<br />public engagement helps build trust, ownership, and support for the EAR process's outcomes.
<br />The County facilitated six (6) public workshops over three (3) separate days, each approximately two
<br />(2) to three (3) weeks apart. The workshops were consistently held at 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on the
<br />days they occurred. Workshops were held at three (3) different locations in the County: North County
<br />C:\Users\ufc-prod\AppData\Local\Temp\BCL Technologies\easyPDF 8\@BCL@6414E534\@BCL@6414E534.docx 2
<br />8
<br />
|