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- Future Land Use Element Objective 5 and Policy 5.3 Future Land Use Element Objective 5 and Policy 5.3 encourage varied densities and development patterns to accommodate a diversity of lifestyles. Most of the residentially designated land near the subject property is platted for single-family development. By permitting additional development options on the subject property, the subject request implements Future Land Use Element Objective 5 and Policy 5.3. - Economic Development Element Policies 8.1 and 8.5 Economic Development Element Policies 8.1 and 8.5 address the use of incentives, including increased densities, to reduce the cost per housing unit and to encourage the provision of affordable housing. By allowing increased density on the subject property, the request would implement Economic Development Element Policies 8.1 and B.S. - Mass Transit Element Policy 1.2 Mass Transit Element Policy 1.2 states that the county will provide higher densities along major transportation corridors in order to facilitate future mass transit provision. Since the request is for the county's second highest density and the subject property is located within one half of a mile from a major transportation corridor, the request implements Mass Transit Element Policy 1.2. While the referenced policies and objectives 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 plan policies and objectives. Based upon that analysis, staff determined that the request is consistent with the comprehensive plan. Staff's position is that multiple -family residential development is appropriate for the site and that such development would be compatible with surrounding land uses. Since land abutting the subject property's south boundary is zoned RM -8, the request is for the continuation of an existinq zoning pattern. More importantly, because it is located near the SR 60/I-95 commercial/ industrial node, the subject property is particularly well suited to meet the demand for multiple -family housing generated by development within that node. In effect, the proposed rezoning would increase the opportunity for people to live near their place of employment. Although a single-family subdivision is located to the east of the subject property, provisions of the SR 60 Corridor Plan ensure that development of a multiple -family residential project on the subject property will be adequately buffered from the nearby single-family subdivision. In addition to canopy trees, understory trees, a berm, and a continuous hedge, the required buffer along 901h Avenue must contain a six foot high opaque feature. Separation distance is another factor that works to mitigate potential impacts. LDR mandated front setbacks of 25 feet in the RM -8 district and 20 feet in the RS -6 district, combined with the 65 feet of public road right-of-way for 90th Avenue, ensure that there will be at least 110 feet between buildings in the adjoining districts. 43 August August 12,1997 PAGE 06