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ALACHUA COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Summary of the
Comprehensive Plan 2001-2020
What is the Comprehensive Plan?
Elements of the The State of Florida requires all local governments (counties and
Comprehensive Plan: municipalities) to adopt Local Government Comprehensive Plans that
• Future Land Use guide future growth and development. Such plans have been required
• Transportation since the adoption in 1985 of Florida’s Local Government
Mobility Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act, also
• Housing called the Growth Management Act (Chapter 163, Part II, F.S.) Each
Comprehensive Plan must have certain required chapters, called
• Potable Waster &
Sanitary Sewer
“Elements” that address various concerns such as land use,
transportation, housing, recreation, conservation and capital
• Solid Waste
improvements. One key component of the Act is the concurrency
• Stormwater provision, requiring facilities and services to be present concurrent
Management
with development impacts.
• Conservation & Open The Comprehensive Plan
Space Additional Elements may also be included at the option of the local addresses many important
government, such as the Historic Preservation or Economic Elements. issues for the County such as
• Recreation
Each Element is organized by a series of goal statements for the housing, transportation,
• Intergovernmental conservation and economic
unincorporated area with related objectives for each goal and the
Coordination development.
implementing policies for each objective. Many Elements also include a
• Capital Improvements series of associated maps. This summary outlines the twelve elements
• Economic currently included within Alachua County’s Comprehensive Plan 2001-
• Historic Preservation 2020 as adopted in 2002 (effective May 2005), including some of the
key policies and objectives contained in each Element.
Future Land Use Element
The Future Land Use Element designates the proposed future general distribution, location and extent of the uses of land. This
Element also includes standards for the densities and intensities of each land use category. The Element contains both a series
of maps depicting the Future Land Use pattern and a complementary section of Goals, Objectives and Policies.
The Future Land Use Element serves as a guide for the sustainable development and use of land. This includes the
determination of an efficient pattern and location of future land uses through the relationship between land use and the
transportation system, the provisions of public facilities and services, and protection of the natural environment. The Future
Land Use Element contains objectives and policies that promote more compact growth, while providing choice of living
environments, separation of urban and rural areas, and protection of agriculture and natural resources.
Key Objectives and Policies:
• Urban Cluster Boundary for separation of urban and rural uses;
• Urban policies providing for residential densities ≥ one unit per acre and major commercial and employment centers;
• Interconnectivity between developments;
• Activity Center standards for compact mixed-use development, public spaces, pedestrian scale design and multimodal
interconnectivity;
• Mixed-use Village Center Developments;
• Traditional Neighborhood and Transit Oriented Developments with emphasis on connected streets and public
spaces;
• Institutional policies for public and community service uses;
• Rural/Agriculture policies promoting the continuance of viable agriculture in the County with a residential density of
≤ one unit per five acres and identifying clustered subdivisions as the preferred design method; and
• Plan East Gainesville implementation policies.
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Transportation Mobility Element
The Transportation Mobility Element addresses long range planning for the provision of acceptable
mobility and sets level of service standards for automobiles for all arterial and collector roadways,
including county roads within municipalities. It also sets level of service standards for facilities
within the unincorporated area that are maintained by entities other than the County (such as state
-maintained facilities). Level of Service (LOS) is defined in accordance with the Level of Service
Handbook prepared by the Florida Department of Transportation and is calculated based on peak
hour conditions.
Key Objectives and Policies:
• Level of Service standards for roads of LOS ‘D’ for the Urban Area and LOS ‘C’ for the
Rural Area;
• Concurrency requirements;
• Roadway maintenance and construction policies as part of capital improvements program;
• Support of mass transit; and
• Policies for aviation facilities.
The Element also includes a framework for voluntary concurrency management tools including
Transportation Concurrency Exception Areas (TCEA), Transportation Concurrency Exception for
The Transportation Projects that Promote Public Transportation (PPPT), and Multi-Modal Transportation Districts
Element addresses much (MMTD). The intent of each of these tools is to increase the use of non-automotive transportation
more than just automotive methods by utilizing pedestrian and bicycle friendly design to increase accessibility and provide
transportation methods. increased opportunity to bicycle, walk, or take the bus.
Housing Element
“Alachua County
shall establish The Housing Element evaluates existing housing conditions and to provide projections and analysis
partnerships with for future housing needs. Specific emphasis is placed on identifying deficits in the housing supply for
lending institutions moderate, low, and very low income households, as well as those with special needs.
to assist with Key Objectives and Policies:
affordable housing
• Encouragement and incentives for provision of affordable housing dispersed throughout the
for citizens of local
municipalities as County;
well as • Intergovernmental coordination to promote affordable housing within municipalities;
unincorporated • State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funding dedicated to down payment assistance
Alachua County.” and funding for affordable single family and multifamily construction;
• Promotion and funding of restoration and rehabilitation of existing housing stock; and
-Housing Element
Policy 1.3.6 • Access to housing opportunities for special needs groups (incl. elderly, homeless, disabled
and farm workers).
Solid Waste Element
The Solid Waste Element indicates the ways solid waste is provided for in the County. Alachua
County provides a variety of solid waste services, including solid waste disposal for all of Alachua
County and Gilchrist County. Solid waste collection services are provided to single family residents
in the unincorporated area of the county, a portion of which has mandatory collection. Five rural
collection centers are available to residents without collection service. County-wide public
education programs focus on waste reduction, waste prevention, composting and recycling. The
County provides long term care for four closed landfills. The Solid Waste Element addresses solid
waste issues such as operational responsibility, existing service facilities, solid waste collection,
landfills and household hazardous waste disposal.
Key Objectives and Policies:
The County promotes
recycling and other • Level of Service standards for solid waste disposal of 0.73 tons per person per year;
waste alternatives • Long term solid waste management system utilizing Leveda Brown Environmental Park;
through the Solid Waste • Waste reduction strategies; and
Element. • Promotion of recycling and other waste alternatives.
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Stormwater Management Element
The purpose of the Stormwater Management Element is to prepare a general stormwater “Alachua County will
management plan that addresses existing deficiencies, analyzes projected future needs, and ensure the protection of
establishes recommended goals, objectives and policies. The plan is also intended to minimize future natural drainage
environmental degradation. The adopted goals, objectives and policies provide the direction to be features, including
followed for future stormwater management activities. surface water quality
The regulation of stormwater management in Alachua County is governed by the St. Johns River and groundwater
Water Management District and the Suwannee River Water Management District in their respective aquifer quality and
jurisdictions. Alachua County has a Stormwater Ordinance intended to provide additional control quantity recharge
over the type, location and maintenance of stormwater facilities and impacts due to erosion and functions, from
sedimentation.
stormwater runoff.”
Key Objectives and Policies: -Stormwater
• Level of Service standards for stormwater management with pre/post conditions for 100 year Management Element
critical storm event; Objective 5
• Development of Stormwater Management Program Master Plan;
• Compliance with state requirements;
• Protection of natural drainage features; and
• Protection of water quality.
Conservation and Open Space Element
The goals of the Comprehensive Plan and Conservation and Open Space Element (COSE) were
adopted to embrace multiple, diverse strategies for the conservation of natural systems in Alachua
County, and establish environmental conservation as a priority in all decision-making for the
County. The Element works in harmony with the other elements of the Comprehensive Plan in
ensuring environmental protection while fostering economic growth and development.
The Conservation and Open Space Element addresses long range planning for the conservation and
protection of the natural resources and human-related resources, including open space areas, in
Alachua County. The primary purpose of the Element is generally to identify the natural resources
of the area and establish policies to protect and conserve those resources, including the following:
• air resources,
• earth resources (soils, minerals, and geological resources),
• water resources (groundwater and surface water quantity and quality floodplains,
natural groundwater recharge areas and natural drainage features), and
• natural communities and wildlife (vegetative communities, wildlife and wildlife
habitats including Strategic Ecosystems)
Key Objectives and Policies:
• Identifies six conservation areas for protection:
∗ Wetlands
∗ Surface Waters
∗ 100-year Floodplains
∗ Listed Species Habitat
∗ Significant Geologic Features
∗ Strategic Ecosystems
• Establishment of information system for natural and human-related resources;
• Protection of resources during land use planning and development review;
• Steps to maintain and improve all natural resources;
• Provisions for energy efficiency;
• Mitigation of risks associated with natural disasters (eg. wildfire) and human risks (eg. hazardous
There are many valuable
materials);
resources in the County in
• Encouragement of reduction of hazardous waste generation; and need of protection.
• Establishment and maintenance of land conservation programs, including Alachua County
Forever.
Page 4
Intergovernmental Coordination Element
“In order to ensure
adequate provision of The Intergovernmental Coordination Element identifies and analyzes intergovernmental
utilities for proposed relationships in the context of the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan. Relevant federal, state,
land uses in the regional and local agencies including adjacent counties, cities in Alachua County and utility providers
Comprehensive Plan, are identified. A variety of intergovernmental coordination mechanisms are reviewed and specific
Alachua County shall existing coordination mechanisms are analyzed, in terms of their effectiveness in addressing issues
continue to include with intergovernmental implications. The purpose of the Intergovernmental Coordination Element
utility companies on is to identify and improve the processes of coordination between the County and these various
the County's authorities to create compatible, efficient and effective relationships.
Development Review
Key Objectives and Policies:
Committee.”
-Intergovernmental • Coordination with the school board and other government agencies;
Coordination • Coordination on municipal annexations and establishment of municipal Reserve areas through
Element Policy 3.4 Boundary Adjustment Act (Special Act of FL Legislature for the County);
• Coordination of provision of services and information;
• Coordination of traffic and circulation issues; and
• Coordination for environmental protection.
Capital Improvements Element
Capital improvements are physical assets constructed or purchased to provide, improve or replace
a public facility and which are large scale and high in cost. The cost of a capital improvement is
generally nonrecurring and may require multi-year financing. For the purpose of this element,
physical assets which have been identified as existing or projected needs in the individual
comprehensive plan elements shall be considered capital improvements.
Key Objectives and Policies:
• Level of Service standards:
• Roads
• Stormwater
• Solid Waste
• Recreation Facilities
• Potable Water and Sanitary Sewer
• Five-year Capital Improvements Program to implement Level of Service;
• Evaluation of need for public facilities as identified in other Elements;
The County’s courthouses
• Cost estimation of improvements for which Alachua County has fiscal responsibility;
and libraries are examples
of what are considered to • Analysis of fiscal capability of the County to finance and construct improvements;
be ‘capital improvements.’ • Financial policies guiding the funding of improvements; and
• Schedule for funding and construction of improvements to ensure capital improvements are
provided when required based on needs identified in other Comprehensive Plan Elements.
“All wastewater
treatment and disposal Potable Water and Sanitary Sewer Element
systems shall meet or The Potable Water and Sanitary Sewer Element involves the development of policies regarding
exceed applicable potable water and sanitary sewer systems, which is extensive at the planning level. Goals and
federal, state, regional, policies are formulated in the State Comprehensive Plan, which form the basis for the goals and
water management policies in the regional comprehensive plans. In turn, local governments are required by law to
districts, and local develop comprehensive plans which are “consistent with and further” the State and regional plans.
treatment
requirements.” Key Objectives and Policies:
-Potable Water and
Sanitary Sewer • Level of Service standards for developments in Urban Cluster on central systems;
Element Policy 5.1 • Requirements for connection to central systems within the Urban Cluster; and
• Minimum lot sizes for properties on well & septic.
Page 5
Recreation Element
The information presented in the Recreation Element identifies the current recreation sites within
Alachua County that are available to the public. Examination of these sites including types of
facilities, availability to the public, demand for additional recreation sites and existing undeveloped
recreation acreage were used to project future needs and to provide guidance for the goals,
objectives and policies of the Element.
Key Policies and Objectives:
• Level of Service standards for recreation facilities:
• 0.5 acres of improved activity-based recreation per 1000 persons in the unincorporated
area of the County
• 5.0 acres of improved resource-based recreation per 1000 persons in the unincorporated
area of the County Alachua County values
• Provision of both activity-based and resource-based recreation facilities; both activity-based and
• Development of a Recreation Master Plan (to be implemented when funded); and resource-based recreation.
• Intergovernmental coordination for provision of recreation facilities Countywide.
Economic Element “Alachua County shall
encourage the
The Economic Element, an optional Element in the Comprehensive Plan, was created with assistance allocation of resources
from the County Commission appointed Economic Development Advisory Committee, whose for the retention,
initial directive was to develop a Strategic Economic Development Plan and to develop criteria by expansion and
which economic development projects seeking County assistance are evaluated. This plan was development of local
adopted by the County Commission in 2001 and helped form the key issues in the Economic business and the
Element. recruitment of
businesses and
Key Objectives and Policies:
industries. Priority shall
• Employment opportunities;
be given to the
• Poverty alleviation; retention, expansion
• Revenue and economic diversification; and development of
• Coordination of educational, vocational and technical training; local businesses.”
• Promotion of tourism, including eco-tourism; and -Economic Element
• Compatibility of growth with environmental preservation. Policy 1.1.3
Historic Preservation Element
The Historic Preservation Element is an optional Element in the Comprehensive Plan. Historically
significant properties and resources are required to be addressed by the Future Land Use and
Housing Elements under the Growth Management Act. The Historic Preservation Element meets
the requirements for these elements and serves to preserve and protect historic, archaeological and
paleontological resources and properties within the County.
Key Objectives and Policies: The Evinston Community
• Policies to establish a Historic Resources Preservation Plan; Store and Post Office
• Strategies for the preservation of historic, archaeological and paleontological resources and (1883) is on the National
properties; and Register of Historic Places.
• Policies to promote the use of historic resources for heritage tourism.
Alachua County Growth Management
Comprehensive Planning Phone: 352-374-5249
111 SW 1st Street Fax: 352-381-0124
Gainesville, FL 32601 E-mail: EAR@alachuacounty.us
Alachua County Evaluation and Appraisal Report on
the County Comprehensive Plan—the blueprint for
the County’s future.
We’re on the web!
http://www.alachuacounty.us/ear
Visit our website for more information about the EAR
process, including important news, links and documents.
There is also a survey that can be filled out online and
a place to enter your email address to be included on
the contact list and receive EAR related updates.
Upcoming Community Workshop Dates
Thursday, Feb. 21, 4:30PM Monday, March 17, 4:30PM
Hawthorne City Hall Alachua County Health Dept.
6700 SE 221st Street 224 SE 24thStreet
Hawthorne, FL 32640 Gainesville, FL 32641
Thursday, March 6, 4:30PM Monday, March 24, 4:30PM
Kanapaha Middle School Newberry City Hall
5005 SW 75th Street 25440 W Newberry Road
Gainesville, FL 32606 Newberry, FL 32669
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