Quality of Life

Annexations are not inherently bad, but an annexation not well planned or well designed can be a disaster.  We keep an eye on them and focus on the big picture and try to help and work with local governments if they are willing to talk.

Concurrency is a shorthand expression for a set of land use regulations that local governments are required (by the Florida Legislature) to adopt to ensure that new development does not outstrip local government's ability to handle it. Every new subdivision must meet concurrency.

Low impact development (LID) is an approach to land development that uses various land planning, design and construction practices to simultaneously conserve and protect natural resource systems while reducing infrastructure costs. We are big proponents of this and work with our Water and Lagoon Committee on it.

Traditional neighborhoods developments (TNDs), inspired by historic neighborhoods, jump-started the New Urbanism in the 1980s and 1990s as alternatives to conventional master-planned communities. Walkable streets designed for slower-moving traffic were fought for and built.

The Urban Service Line is one of the measures put in place in our county to help manage growth. There has been discussion recently about perhaps moving the line, and IRNA is involved and considering all sides of this issue,.

Impact Fees are how we attempt to make Development pay for itself. New development brings new residents, which can put strain on a city's infrastructure and services, including schools, libraries, water and sewerage, police and fire protection services. Impact fees are designed to offset the additional cost of maintaining these services.

 We are always in need of affordable  housing. There just is not as much profit in that for developers, so of course they focus on higher income housing, where they make more money per house. Inclusionary housing means that as a subdivision is built, some of the homes are maybe a little smaller, maybe lower quality counter tops in the kitchen, fewer bells and whistles.

An LDR is a Land Development Regulation. These provides specific size and dimension criteria and indicates allowable uses for each zoning district. We have worked hard to make these what they are and work to protect them from encroachment.

A development agreement is a voluntary contract between a local jurisdiction and a person who owns or controls property, detailing the obligations of both parties and specifying the standards and conditions that will govern development of the property. These are a way to encourage good development.

Mixed-use developments are a combination of residential, commercial, and cultural buildings. These projects can range from a single building to an entire neighborhood. Mixed-use projects tend to encourage walkability between housing and other amenities. When a mixed-use development is thoroughly planned and designed correctly, it not only incorporates various types of real estate together but complements them.