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• Based on its analysis, staff feels that the proposed land use amendment meets Policy 14.3's fourth criterion. When the comprehensive plan was adopted in 1990, the area between CR 510 and the City of Sebastian was designated R from 90'b Avenue to 666'Avenue. As a result, the subject property was bounded on two sides by L-1 designated land, but was part of a larger contiguous area of R designated land. In 1994, however, the adjacent 159 acres to the east of the site were redesignated to R. That 1994 amendment affected the subject property.in the following two ways. • The site is now surrounded on three sides by L-1 designated land, and • The site is no longer part of a larger contiguous area of R designated land. While the redesignation of adjacent land is not always justification for a land use amendment, in this case it is relevant for the above reasons. Another change affecting the site involves public schools. The new Sebastian River High School, located just west of the subject property (just across go" Avenue), was completed in the mid -1990's. Additionally, a new elementary school is now planned to be located just south of the subject property (just across 85'h Street). Allowing a slightly denser land use designation near these schools makes sense for the following reasons. • These schools will attract families with children. Generally, housing at a density of up to 3 units/acre is more affordable for families with children than the up to 1 unit/acre density permitted under the current land use designation. • The entire subject property is within one mile of both school sites. That proximity allows residents on the subject property to walk or bike to the school sites, thus reducing automobile trips and student reliance on others for transportation. The siting (and in the case of the high school, the construction) of these schools has occurred since plan adoption. Therefore, the redesignation of adjacent land and the "across the street" siting of both a high school and an elementary school constitute a change in circumstances affecting the subject property. Since these actions constitute a change in circumstances, the fourth criterion of Future Land Use Element Policy 14.3 has been met, and the proposed amendment is consistent with Future Land Use Element Policy 14.3. Future Land Use Element Objective 1 and Policies 2.2 and 4.1 This objective and these policies state that Indian River County will have an efficient and compact land use pattern which encourages infill development within the existing urban service area and maintains the county's overall low density character. By increasing the density of land currently within the urban service area, as opposed to expanding the urban service area, the county can November 7, 2000 81 0