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• the proposed changes to Future Land Use Element Policy 1.12; • the proposed changes to Future Land Use Element Policy 1.14; • the proposed changes to Future Land Use Element Policy 1.28; and • the proposed changes to Future Land Use Element Policy 1.29. Changes to those four policies were recommended by the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) after the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. For that reason, those four changes were not reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Because those changes are relatively minor, they are included in this group of proposed amendments despite not having been reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. They were, however, reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners at the November 10, 1998 transmittal public hearing. At that hearing, the Board voted 5 to 0 to transmit the proposed text amendment to DCA for its review. FLOOR AREA RATIO An issue that is repeatedly addressed in this amendment is setting intensity standards for non- residential development. The generally accepted intensity standard for non-residential development is Floor Area Ratio (FAR). FAR is a measure of non-residential land use intensity expressed as the ratio of building floor space on a parcel to total parcel area FAR is discussed in more detail in the analysis section of this staff report, specifically in the section for Future Land Use Element Policies 1. 16, 1.28, and 1.29. ORC Report Consistent with state regulations, DCA reviewed the proposed amendment and prepared an Objections, Recommendations and Comments (ORC) Report (dated February 4, 1999), which planning staff received on February 5, 1999. The DCA ORC Report (attachment 5) contained three objections to this proposed amendment. Those objections are listed below. 1) Although the County has proposed an intensity standard (floor area ratio of .25) for the Recreation land use designation, FLUE Policies 1.6 and 1.9 do not indicate the specific uses allowed within the Recreation land use designation or indicate which recreational uses will be allowed within the Conservation land use categories. (Section 163.3177(6)(a), Florida Statutes. Rule 9J -5.006(3)(c)1., and 7., Florida Administrative Code.) 2) Although FLUE Policies 1.12 and 1.14 contain standards for the density of residential land uses, these policies do not contain standards for the intensity of non-residential uses within the low- and medium -density residential land use categories, specify a percentage distribution of uses within residential land use categories, or use another objective measure to determine the combinations of land uses allowed within residential land use categories. (Section 163.3177(6)(a), Florida Statutes, and Rules 9J-5.003(63), 9J -5.006(3)(c)1., and 7., and 9J -5.006(4)(c), Florida Administrative Code.) 3) Although FLUE Policy 1.16 contains intensity standards for commercial and industrial land uses, this policy does not specify a percentage distribution of uses within the CommerciaUlndustrial land use category, or use another objective measure to determine the combination of commercial and industrial land uses allowed within the Commercial/Industrial land use category. (Section 163.3177(6)(a), Florida Statutes, and Rules 9J -5.006(3)(c)1., and 7., and 9J -5.006(4)(c), Florida Administrative Code.) The ORC Report also contained the two comments listed below. In contrast to objections, comments cannot form the basis of a non-compliance determination. These comments, however, do indicate DCA findings that should be addressed. 1) The County included Table 2.14 (Future Land Use Element Implementation Matrix) in the amendment package to reflect the addition of four new policies (FLUE Policies 1.39 through 1.41, and FLUE Policy 14.5). However, Table 2.14 (Future Land Use Element Evaluation Matrix) already exists in the County's Plan. 2) Amendment 99-1 marks significant progress in the improvement and implementation of the County's Plan. Indian River County is to be commended for its dedication in amending. the Plan to meet state guidelines and for coordinating the review of the proposed amendment package with the Department. Furthermore, these amendments are indicative of the County's dedication to the protection of natural resources, including the purchase of conservation lands to protect environmentally -sensitive areas. In addition, in these proposed amendments the County has shown a commitment to promoting policies that encourage intergovernmental coordination, establish school concurrency guidelines, and improve the quality of life for Indian River County residents. MARCH 16, 1999 -47- BOOK. FACE