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• <br />land preserves agricultural operations by allowing most of the property to continue to be used for <br />agriculture. Except for a few large tracts, however, it is not feasible for Indian River County farmers <br />to use a portion of their land (even up to 80%) for agriculture, while another portion contains <br />residences. Due to incompatibilities, residences on a portion of a site essentially prohibit agricultural <br />use of an entire site. Therefore, clustering does not protect agricultural operations; and eliminating <br />the clustering requirement does not impede agricultural protection. For these reasons, the proposed <br />amendment is consistent with Future Land Use Element Objective 6. <br />The proposed amendment is also consistent with Future Land Use Element Policy 2.3. That policy <br />requires development at densities greater than 1 unit/5 acres to be located within the urban service <br />area. The proposed amendment does not change any densities or land use designations. In fact, by <br />allowing 5 acre lots along the urban service area boundary, the proposed amendment discourages <br />urban service area expansion. <br />Caribbean Fruit Fly Host Plants <br />Future Land Use Element Objective 6 and its policies promote protection of active agricultural <br />operations in the county. Future Land Use Element- Policies 6.3 and 6.4 specifically protect <br />agriculture within the urban service area The proposed amendment also works to protect agriculture <br />within the urban service area For that reason, the proposed amendment is consistent with Future <br />Land Use Element Objective 6 and Future Land Use Element Policies 6.3 and 6.4. <br />Utility Service to Agricultural Businesses <br />The proposed amendment is consistent with Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element Policy 2.4 and Potable <br />Water Sub -Element Policy 2.4. Those policies commit the county to providing utilities to areas of <br />the county where the lack of utilities is determined to be a health risk. The proposed amendment <br />specifically allows utility connections where the lack of utilities is determined to be a health risk. <br />For that reason, the proposed amendment is consistent with Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element Policy 2.4 <br />and Potable Water Sub -Element Policy 2.4. <br />Arts and Culture <br />Several comprehensive plan objectives are related to the proposed arts and culture amendment. <br />Objective 9 of the Future Land Use Element promotes aesthetic development. That objective is <br />particularly consistent with proposed Policy 2.1.5 which calls for incentives for development <br />projects that provide space for cultural and art exhibits, and Policy 2.2.4 which calls for a study of <br />Art in Public Places Programs. <br />The proposed amendment is also consistent with Economic Development Element Objective 1 <br />concerning lowering the county's unemployment rate and Economic Development Element <br />Objective 6 concerning tourism development. Several studies indicate that art and cultural programs <br />have a large positive impact on local economies. Additionally, an active arts and cultural <br />community is often cited as an amenity used to attract new businesses and industries. Economic <br />Development Element Policy 6.1 specifically notes that cultural offerings attract tourism. For these <br />reasons, the proposed amendment is consistent with Future Land Use Element Objective 9; <br />Economic Development Element Objectives 1 and 6; and Economic Development Element Policy <br />6.1. <br />November 7, 2000 <br />�� <br />BK 115 PG 816 <br />• <br />