Governor s Environmental Advisory Council October 5, 2006

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1 Governor s Environmental Advisory Council October 5, 2006 Presented by Ernie Cox, Family Lands Remembered, LLC Photos by Alto Bud Adams, Jr. and Carlton Ward, Jr.

2 Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast

3 Treasure Coast Region Population Growth Thousands of People Martin St. Lucie Indian River

4 Committee Background Brainchild of Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-PSLR Executive Order No signed by Governor Jeb Bush - March 30, 2004 Make recommendations re: important issues affecting long-range planning on Treasure Coast

5 Mission: To build consensus on guidelines, recommendations, tools and actions that will seek to improve the quality of life, the built and natural environment and the economy for the Treasure Coast Region.

8 Outcomes: Developed principles, action steps and suggested tools for implementation: reflect Committee consensus broad community support guide decision-making & actions of government leaders, citizens, non-profits, private sector

9 Overarching Principles Cross-sector, sector, intergovernmental collaboration and cooperation are keys to regional success. Active, effective public involvement and education -- a critical ingredient for implementing local and regional solutions.

10 Framework Members were divided into five areas of investigation: Natural Systems Built Environment Economic Diversity/Prosperity Social Systems Rural Lands

11 Built Environment Goal Effective comprehensive planning is guided by a shared long-term vision for the region and local communities Action Steps: Establish policies/joint planning agreements that address interconnectedness of communities in the region

12 Built Environment Goal Development, redevelopment, and construction incorporate energy efficiency and conservation Action Steps: Set green building goals for all types of building. Amend LDRs to include model provisions addressing energy efficiency/conservation in the built environment.

13 Social System Goals Social System Goals Distribution of Employment by Wages 30% 25% US Treasure Coast Florida 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Less than 15k 15K-19,999 20k-24,999 25k-29,999 30K-34,999 35K-39,999 40K-44,999 45K-49,999 50K-54,999 55K-59,999 60K-64,999 65K-69,999 70K-74,999 75K-79,999 80K-84,999 85,000 + Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida Labor Market Information

14 Social System Goals EDUCATION - Exemplary system of life-long long learning Action Steps: Improve quality, accessibility of Pre-K programs Use existing TCRPC collaborative process to create inter-local agreements for school concurrency requirements Develop land banking programs Institute for a Sustainable Treasure Coast

15 Social System Goals HEALTH Affordable & accessible healthcare services provide physical, mental and preventive care Action Steps: Eliminating disparities through coordinated comprehensive health planning approach Participate in Elder Ready Community programs Establish regional health care district

16 Rural Lands Background: Primary land use designations outside USA s and municipalities in all three counties are various-sized sized ranchettes Historically, PUD s and DRI s also allow piecemeal sprawl Annexation by cities increases if ranchettes are the only alternative In order to avoid these outcomes, THREE THINGS must be achieved

17 Rural Lands The Three Things: Ag must be profitable,, and based on the local values that ag provides rather than solely the value of the crops themselves. Incentive programs (TDRs( TDRs,, RLSA, etc) must be used successfully, to retain the development value of ag lands. The combination of future ag profits and the income from incentives must be equal to or greater than the land value for an alternative use.. Otherwise, landowners will be better off selling their land.

18 Rural Lands Action Steps: Use resources created by new development and innovative tools to fund retention of rural lands (TDRs( TDRs,, RLSA, etc.) Partnerships with urban, government, and ag to enhance ag profit Comp plans & LDRs include incentives/ requirements for protection of rural lands (TDR s,, RLSA, etc.) Stronger relationships between urban/rural Stakeholder groups to evaluate progress and pursue new opportunities Establish acreage goals

19 Natural Environment Goal Full implementation of Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) Action Steps: Coordinated regional effort New funding sources, incentive-based mechanisms for land acquisition

20 Natural Environment Goal Adopt land use planning, development regulations, and design standards to support healthy natural systems

21 Natural Environment Action Steps: Use range of existing/new innovative tools as alternatives/supplements to regulatory actions Additional acquisition programs Community stewardship organizations Conservation easements Conservation zoning & development Clustering Planning for new towns & villages Rural Lands Stewardship program Transfer of Development Rights

22 Final Report 100+ pages in length 30+ principles 180+ suggested action steps/recommendations Sustaining Quality Natural Systems Preserving Rural Lands Creating a Sustainable Built Environment Enhancing Access to Education, Health & Cultural Opportunities Achieving Economic Diversity and Prosperity Sustainable Integrating Principles

23 Moving Forward Sustainable Treasure Coast Inc. Information conduit and facilitation group Institute for a Sustainable Treasure Coast Lifelong learning partnership between FAU and IRCC Track Sustainable Indicators over time

24 THANK YOU!

Section 163.3177(11)(d), F.S. DCA DCA shall encourage local governments in establishing and implementing Rural Lands Stewardship Areas.

25 Section (11)(d), F.S. DCA DCA shall encourage local governments in establishing and implementing Rural Lands Stewardship Areas. Areas. Maintain economic value of rural land Control urban sprawl Protect ecosystems Promote rural economic activity Maintain viability of Florida's agricultural economy Protect the character of rural Florida

Overview In the Fall of 1999, a three year strategic land planning process was started for @

27 Overview In the Fall of 1999, a three year strategic land planning process was started 195,000 acres of rural agricultural land as a part of Collier County s Rural Land Area Assessment.

28 Analysis of Scenarios Alternative scenarios were compared to a baseline condition Baseline condition limited to agriculture, related uses and 1 unit per 5 acre development

29 Analysis of Scenarios Alternative scenarios were compared to a baseline condition Sustainable mixed use development and land for agriculture and the environment

32 St. Lucie Stewardship Overlay

33 Stewardship Sending Area (SSA) Designation Property owner initiates SSA designation SSAs are perpetually protected by a Stewardship Sending Area Easement SSA Application procedures and process are defined in Land Development Code SSA Designations are approved by the Board of County Commissioners

34 SSAs Generate Stewardship Credits Stewardship Credits are the currency of the RLSA The more environmentally valuable (darker green), and the more uses eliminated, the greater the number of Credits generated. Credits can be transferred to eligible receiving areas Eliminate Uses Residential Conditional Uses Earth Mining Ag Group 1 Ag Group 2 Natural Resources

Stewardship Receiving Area (SRA) Stewardship Credits generated from SSA may be used to entitle SRA. SRA Designation Application approved by Board of County Commissioners.

35 Stewardship Receiving Area (SRA) Stewardship Credits generated from SSA may be used to entitle SRA. SRA Designation Application approved by Board of County Commissioners. The value of development entitlements drives the market value of Stewardship Credits and therefore drives the protection of natural resources, agriculture and heritage.

36 Conserves Adams Ranch Creates a tool to extract value by eliminating development rights without losing value of existing agricultural uses. Creates a tool to protect environmentally sensitive land without public sale or conservation easements. RLSA rewards Adams Ranch for continuing to do what they have historically done, serve as good stewards of their land and continue with best management practices. All these benefits occur without requiring a sale to a public agency, benefiting both the property owner and the local tax base. Retains generational ownership.

37 Promotes a Sustainable Rural Future Sprawl is discouraged; design guidelines foster mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented communities. Fiscal neutrality test ensures growth pays its fair share. Incentives for education, research and public benefit uses. Mixed-use, interconnected streets and trails, on-street parking, and flexible setbacks enable more efficient land development, reducing impacts. Stewardship is embraced by leading planning and environmental organizations and agencies, and is widely regarded as a new tool for sustainable rural development in Florida.

38 Babcock Ranch

39 Babcock Ranch and Surrounding Areas Port Charlotte Punta Gorda Alva LaBelle Cape Coral Fort Myers LeHigh

40 BROD Map 11a-4 Conceptual Master Plan

41 BROD MAP 11c Primary Internal Transportation Map

42 Governor s Environmental Advisory Council October 5, 2006 Presented by Ernie Cox, Family Lands Remembered, LLC Photos by Alto Bud Adams, Jr. and Carlton Ward, Jr.

Rural Land Stewardship

Rural Land Stewardship Rural Land Stewardship Photographs courtesy of Alto Bud Adams and Carlton Ward, Jr. LEE COUNTY Fort Myers Florida Orlando 17 Years Ago, Governor Jeb Bush told Collier County to: