Subject:
Title
Recommendation: Adoption of a Large-Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment (24LS00001) regarding the Brevard Barrier Island Area (BBIA) as a new element to the Comprehensive Plan under the State Coordinated Review Process.
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Fiscal Impact:
None
Dept/Office:
Planning and Development
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Local Planning Agency Board make relevant recommendations concerning the adoption of a Large-Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment regarding the Brevard Barrier Island Area (BBIA) as a new element of the Comprehensive Plan pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 380.05 and 380.0553 for the determination of compliance under the State Coordinated Review Process.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
On July 1, 2023, through the Brevard Barrier Island Protection Act (Florida Statutes Section 380.0553), the State Legislature established the Brevard Barrier Island Area as an Area of Critical State Concern. Section 163.3191, Florida Statutes requires changes in state law to be included in any amendments resulting from the Evaluation and Appraisal Review of the Comprehensive Plan.
As part of the legislation, 380.0553 establishes GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR DEVELOPMENT. -State, regional, and local agencies and units of government in the Brevard Barrier Island Area shall coordinate their plans and conduct their programs and regulatory activities to be consistent with the following guiding principles for development within the area:
a) Preventing the adverse impacts of development on resources critical to sea turtle habitat by prohibiting new shoreline hardening structures and enforcing existing state and county coastal construction regulations.
b) Prioritizing water quality restoration projects in the Indian River Lagoon.
c) Reducing nutrient contributions from septic tanks and wastewater facilities, stormwater discharges, and agriculture nonpoint sources into the Indian River Lagoon.
d) Supporting innovative, nature-based solutions including living shorelines, and freshwater and coastal wetland restoration.
e) Safeguarding against adverse economic, social, environmental, and public health and safety impacts posed by flooding and storm surge by protecting critical assets identified in s. 380.093.
f) Protecting shoreline and marine resources, including mangroves, seagrass beds, wetlands, sea turtles, manatees, and fish and wildlife, and related habitats.
g) Protecting upland resources, including dune ridges, beaches, wildlife, and related habitats.
h) Limiting the adverse impacts of development on the quality of water throughout the Brevard Barrier Island Area and the Indian River Lagoon.
i) Enhancing natural scenic resources to promote the aesthetic benefits of the natural environment.
j) Ensuring that development is compatible with the unique characteristics of the Brevard Barrier Island Area.
Prior to transmittal, on August 28, 2024, a workshop with the public was held to provide an educational presentation to the community within the BBIA. On November 7, 2024, the Board transmitted this Large-Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Florida Commerce for review under the State Coordinated Review Process. Florida Commerce completed its review and issued the Objections, Recommendation and Comments Report on January 21, 2025.
During February 2025, staff coordinated several meetings with all state agencies who reviewed and provided comments in the Objections, Recommendations and Comments Report to help understand the comments and how to make corrections before adoption. On March 10, 2025, staff held a stakeholder meeting at the request of the Department of Commerce to help address potential concerns and comments that were identified in the Objections, Recommendations, and Comments Report.
The attached draft, “BBIA Adoption Package with Tracked Changes,” indicates changes that have been made since transmittal in blue (additions) and red (deletions). Such changes are either changes made in response to the Objections, Recommendations, and Comments Report, or are non-substantial changes to correct errors.
Once the Element is adopted, staff, in coordination with Florida Commerce, will draft land development regulations that will implement the Guiding Principles for Development contained in Brevard Barrier Island Protection Act.
This item will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners on July 17, 2025.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
None