New Horizon 2035 Lee Plan revised elements review continues

As reported in our  October blog post, the final phase of the Comp Plan (Horizon 2035) update process is underway...moving us forward towards the goal of revising Lee County's growth management plans to bring the vision of a Livable Lee to reality.  Revisions to the first three elements, based on comments from county committees and the public, were reviewed by the LPA and CSAC at their September/October meetings, and the next two elements--Capital Improvement and Conservation and Coastal Management-- are being considered at November/December committee meeting. 

Background

Over the past two years, the county staff and its committees have been working through the elements of the Comp Plan Horizon 2035 update, following the vision adopted in the County's 2011 Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR).  This new vision of Lee County in 2035 - an economically and environmentally desirable place to live, work and visit - was crafted through an extensive community planning effort that included over 40 public workshops. The Comp Plan update process is revising Lee County’s growth management plans to bring that vision of a Livable Lee to reality. 

 

In June, the Local Planning Agency (LPA) completed its first round review of all the Comp Plan elements, and the Community Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) completed its review in May. The Horizon Council also reviewed the plan with staff over the past four months.  Over the past four months, county planning staff also conducted 43 public workshops to discuss the key changes in the Comp Plan that are being proposed.  Finally, the County's online Town Hall tool (New Horizon 2035) provided another opportunity for citizens to comment and provide their input.

Over the summer, the staff started the process of revising the elements to address these comments.  In July we shared with you the schedule and process for the next and final phase.  

   

Final committee review of elements

 At the September 23rd LPA meeting, and the Oct. 16th CSAC meeting the first three revised Comp Plan amendment elements were reviewed:

1.  Vision Statement

2.  Historic Preservation

3.  Parks, Recreation, and Open Space

The next three elements were reviewed at the Oct. 28th LPA meeting and the Nov. 20th CSAC meeting:

1.  Intergovernmental Coordination

2.  Economic

3.  Housing

The next two elements are to be reviewed at the November 20th CSAC meeting and the Dec. 4th LPA meeting:
1.  Capital Improvement Element
2.  Conservation and Coastal Management Element

The LPA has scheduled a second meeting in December for Dec. 11th, which will include several community plan Local Development Code amendments but no Comp Plan amendments.

There is an opportunity for public comment on these elements at every CSAC and LPA meeting, and the public is encouraged to participate.

BikeWalkLee focus:

Integration of land use and transportation planning is key to complete streets and complete communities, so these two elements will continue to be a major focus of BikeWalkLee's attention. These revised elements are scheduled for review in January/February.

 For background on BikeWalkLee's views, click below:

·        BWL comments to county Local Planning Agency on land use elements (4/5/13)

·        BikeWalkLee overview comments on 10/26/12 Draft Transportation Element (11/25/12)

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