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Besides being exempt from DCA review, small scale amendments are also exempt from the state's statutory limitations on the frequency of adopting comprehensive plan amendments. For example, although the number of standard plan amendments that a local government may consider is not limited, the frequency with which local governments can amend their comprehensive plan is regulated by state law. According to Honda Statutes, standard plan amendments are limited to twice per calendar year. For that reason, the county accepts standard plan amendment applicationz only during the two "window" months of January and July. All requests submitted during each window month are processed simultaneously. That method ensures that standard plan amendments will be adopted no more than twice per calendar year. State law, however, provides several exceptions to the twice per calendar year limitation. One of those exceptions is for small scale plan amendments. Consequently, a local government may adopt small scale amendments, such as the subject plan amendment, without regard for the twice per calendar year limitation. For that reason, the proposed amendment is exempt from the twice per calendar year adoption limit. Existing Land Use Pattern The subject property, formerly known as the DuBose Cemetery, has been checked to confirm that currently, it is unlikely that there are any burials on the site. The site and nearly all surrounding properties are zoned RM -10, Multiple -Family Residential District (up to 10 units/acre). The exception is land abutting the south 200 feet of the subject property's western boundary. That land is zoned CL, Limited Commercial District. Most of the site consists of heavily wooded scrubby flatwoods. The southern approximately 250 feet of the subject property, however, contains the historic Macedonia Baptist Church and Museum. Single-family homes exist to the north, south, and west of the subject property. To the east of the site is Gifford Middle School. Future Land Use Pattern The subject property and most surrounding properties are designated M-2, Medium -Density Residential -2 on the county's future land use map The M-2 designation permits residential uses with densities up to 10 units/acre. The land abutting the south 200 feet of the subject property's western boundary is designated C/l, Commercial/Industrial, on the county's future land use map. That designation permits various commercial and industrial zoning districts. Environment Except for the portion of the site containing the historic church and museum, the site consists of scrubby flatwoods, a native upland plant community. Gopher Tortoises, a listed species, may exist on the site. According to Flood Insurance Rating Maps, the subject property is not within a flood hazard area. Utilities and Services Water lines extend to the site from the North County Reverse Osmosis Plant, while wastewater lines extend to the site from the Central Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. January 15, 2002 46 BK