Florida Florida Statutes
§ 163.3246 — Local government comprehensive planning certification program
FS § 163.3246Ch. 163
Statute text
View on source(1)There is created the Local Government Comprehensive Planning Certification Program to be administered by the state land planning agency. The purpose of the program is to create a certification process for local governments who identify a geographic area for certification within which they commit to directing growth and who, because of a demonstrated record of effectively adopting, implementing, and enforcing its comprehensive plan, the level of technical planning experience exhibited by the local government, and a commitment to implement exemplary planning practices, require less state and regional oversight of the comprehensive plan amendment process. The purpose of the certification area is to designate areas that are contiguous, compact, and appropriate for urban growth and development within a 10-year planning timeframe. Municipalities and counties are encouraged to jointly establish the certification area, and subsequently enter into joint certification agreement with the state land planning agency.
(2)In order to be eligible for certification under the program, the local government must:(a) Demonstrate a record of effectively adopting, implementing, and enforcing its comprehensive plan;
(b)Demonstrate technical, financial, and administrative expertise to implement the provisions of this part without state oversight;
(c)Obtain comments from the state and regional review agencies regarding the appropriateness of the proposed certification;
(d)Hold at least one public hearing soliciting public input concerning the local government's proposal for certification; and
(e)Demonstrate that it has adopted programs in its local comprehensive plan and land development regulations which:1. Promote infill development and redevelopment, including prioritized and timely permitting processes in which applications for local development permits within the certification area are acted upon expeditiously for proposed development that is consistent with the local comprehensive pla7 2. Promote the development of housing for low-income and very-low-income households or specialized housing to assist elderly and disabled persons to remain at home or in independent living arrangements. 3. Achieve effective intergovernmental coordination and address the extrajurisdictional effects of development within the certified area. 4. Promote economic diversity and growth while encouraging the retention of rural character, where rural areas exist, and the protection and restoration of the environment. 5. Provide and maintain public urban and rural open space and recreational opportunities. 6. Manage transportation and land uses to support public transit and promote opportunities for pedestrian and nonmotorized transportation. 7. Use design principles to foster individual community identity, create a sense of place, and promote pedestrian-oriented safe neighborhoods and town centers. 8. Redevelop blighted areas. 9. Adopt a local mitigation strategy and have programs to improve disaster preparedness and the ability to protect lives and property, especially in coastal high-hazard areas. 10. Encourage clustered, mixed-use development that incorporates greenspace and residential development within walking distance of commercial development. 11. Encourage urban infill at appropriate densities and intensities and separate urban and rural uses and discourage urban sprawl while preserving public open space and planning for buffer-type land uses and rural development consistent with their respective character along and outside the certification area. 12. Assure protection of key natural areas and agricultural lands that are identified using state and local inventories of natural areas. Key natural areas include, but are not limited to:a. Wildlife corridors. b. Lands with high native biological diversity, important areas for threatened and endangered species, species of special concern, migratory bird habitat, and intact natural communities. c. Significant surface waters and springs, aquatic preserves, wetlands, and outstanding Florida waters. d. Water resources suitable for preservation of natural systems and for water resource development. e. Representative and rare native Florida natural systems. 13. Ensure the cost-efficient provision of public infrastructure and services.
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Legislative history
s. 11, ch. 2002-296; s. 15, ch. 2005-157; s. 29, ch. 2011-139; s. 11, ch. 2012-96; s. 19, ch. 2013-15; s. 26, ch. 2014-17; s. 26, ch. 2014-218; s. 5, ch. 2015-30; s. 8, ch. 2018-158. <