TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
FROM: Patrick J. Murphy, Chief of Long-Range Planning
DATE: August 12, 2025
SUBJECT: Consideration of the 2025 Indian River County Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) Based Amendments
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BACKGROUND
In 1985, Florida enacted the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act, Chapter 163, Part II, Florida Statutes. This statute requires that all local governments adopt, maintain, and implement land use plans and development regulations for all future development actions. It also requires that all geographic areas within the state be included within the jurisdiction of a local comprehensive plan and that all development actions be consistent with the adopted plan.
The Comprehensive Plan is not just a document but the County’s blueprint for the future. Its Goals, Objectives, and Policies (GOPs) are not just guidelines but crucial tools for effectively implementing public infrastructure and services. They ensure that people have a safe and secure place to live, a healthy economy that provides jobs and services, avenues for traversing the community (bike, pedestrian, car, transit), and quality recreational features. Indian River County (the County) is responsible for providing the necessary public services and facilities, developing strategies, and adopting regulations and standards that implement this blueprint. The Comprehensive Plan also informs and shapes other County plans, capital projects, and programs that affect the community in both large and small ways.
The County’s Comprehensive Plan is not set in stone. It is a living document that can be amended from time to time following the parameters established in the Florida Statutes (F.S.) Chapter 163. The State of Florida, recognizing that change occurs over time and that...
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