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 Contacts:Eva Peterson, Division Manager Project Manager (850) 595-3118
Griff Vickery, Urban Planner II Team Member (850) 595-3471
Items of Interest Land Development Code (LDC) RevisionsLDC Revisions CommitteeAt the February 11, 2010 Committee of the Whole workshop the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners decided to change the public participation plan. Rather than the five 5-member LDC subject area advisory groups previously planned, the Board directed the creation of only one committee of 15 Escambia County residents to make a combined review of these subject areas for LDC revisions. The Board directed that the committee be composed of five members from the “general citizenry” nominated by the Commissioners, one for each district, and that the remaining ten be selected by the following interest groups:
Additional information about this plan will be provided as soon as clarifications of it are obtained and its details approved. Frequently asked questionsWhat is the Land Development Code? Where can I read the current LDC? How do I stay informed and find out more? What is the Land Development Code? The LDC is a collection of zoning and other regulations - Part III of the Escambia County Code of Ordinances - that control how land within the county is used and developed. Adopted in 1996, the code simply combined all relevant ordinances into a single document. It has since been amended numerous times, often with little or no coordination with county planning goals, objectives, or policies, or otherwise sufficient consideration. The immediate result has been an inadequate and inconsistent document, but the overall long-term outcome can be a less than desirable built environment and a diminished quality of life for the residents of Escambia County. These negative consequences weaken the economic vitality of our county. Where can I read the current LDC? The current Land Development Code, codified by the Municipal Code Corporation, is available on their website, www.municode.com. Follow the site’s instructions to view the Escambia County Code of Ordinances and select Part III, the LDC. Or, you may view book-marked PDF versions of each individual LDC article (chapter) on our Comprehensive Plan/LDC webpage. Florida Statutes require periodic review of the effectiveness of the Escambia County Comprehensive Plan, our long-range land use planning guide. The latest review, the 2007 Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR), was created with public comment and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). The EAR recommended both amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and revisions to the LDC. As the implementing document for many Comprehensive Plan policies, the LDC must be revised for consistency with the plan. But additionally, the EAR more broadly required revision of the LDC into a document “reflecting contemporary design standards and modern land use regulations,” and one that enhances the quality of life of county residents. So, as the county continues the EAR process, the LDC must be evaluated for those necessary changes. While it may be reasonable to assume that many of the problems with the current LDC have been experienced by others and are already on a list to be addressed, that should not deter you from participating in the LDC revisions process. You may have unique concerns, perspectives, circumstances, and/or solutions that have not been considered. And clearly, if you don’t participate in the process, those who do will likely decide things for you. The intent of the process is to accommodate as many interests and points of view as possible. You need not be a land developer or even a landowner. You do not have to be a professional planner, engineer, or architect. You can be a routine user of the LDC or one who has never made use of the code before. But whomever you may be - renter, business owner, retiree, student, visitor, or resident – you encounter the consequences of the LDC daily in the built environment around you. So, if you have a sincere interest in the future development of Escambia County, join in and make your views known. How do I stay informed and find out more? There will be other opportunities for comments and participation on specific proposed text changes as they are developed. Those opportunities will be posted to this webpage as soon as they are confirmed. If you are interested in being added to our LDC Revisions email distribution list, please email your contact information to Margarett_Archie@co.escambia.fl.us and put “LDC Revisions email list” in the subject line. Emails will be sent to you anytime there is new information added to this webpage, including dates and locations of upcoming workshops and/or public meetings.
Webpage updated February 16, 2010 |
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