Evaluation and Appraisal Report

Overview

Every seven years, state law requires the City of Port St. Lucie to review and evaluate its Comprehensive Plan. This is called an Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR). The purpose of this planning process is to update the Comprehensive Plan and to assess the city’s progress in implementing the Comprehensive Plan.

The EAR is intended to accomplish several important purposes:

• Identify major issues for the community
• Review past actions of the local government in implementing the plan since the last EAR
• Assess the degree to which plan objectives have been achieved
• Assess both successes and shortcomings of the plan
• Identify ways that the plan should be changed
• Respond to changes in state requirements and regional plans
• Ensure effective intergovernmental coordination

On April 23, 2009, the city conducted a public workshop to solicit comments from citizens, adjacent local governments, and representatives of state and regional agencies on the major issues facing the city. The list of major issues was approved by the city Council on June 8, 2009. A Letter of Understanding was sent to the Department of Community Affairs requesting their approval of the city’s list of major issues and Scope of Work for the EAR.

List of Major Issues

1. Land Use and Development
1. The need to maintain the older areas of the city through neighborhood preservation and/or redevelopment to avoid decline.
2. The need for more mixed use development or nodes at major intersections to allow for greater flexibility and to ensure that services are available where people live to reduce vehicular miles traveled.
3. The need for greater diversity in housing choices in the city to serve a variety of ages and incomes.
4. The need to create goals, objectives, and policies that guide growth and development of the city’s Western Annexation area. The GOPs should include evaluation criteria for reviewing future annexation proposals.
5. The need to explore establishing an annexation boundary map and joint planning areas, or annexation boundary areas with St. Lucie County and the City of Fort Pierce to avoid duplication of services, extra jurisdictional impacts, and to preserve open space and agriculture.

2. Economic Development
1. The need to create a diverse economic base to keep up with population growth.
2. The need for an evaluation of the amount of non-residential land uses available in the city to ensure the Future Land Use Map designates an adequate amount of such uses to address economic development needs.
3. In order to provide a broader job base, the city should ensure that sufficient land is available for industry and commerce and evaluate the appropriate balance of residential and non-residential development to ensure a jobs/housing balance.
4. The need to evaluate and/or address factors that may limit recruitment of businesses to area.

• Perception of quality of education
• Limited opportunities for higher education compared to other cities of similar size
• Perception that city lacks cultural, arts, and entertainment facilities compared to other areas

5. The need to explore establishing an economic development plan for the city and developing strategies for job creation, diversification, retention, and attracting target industries.

3. Transportation Choices

• The need for greater road network connectivity, including the completion of a third east/west corridor from U.S. 1 to Interstate 95.
• The need for more sidewalks, bike paths, and/or bike lanes for an integrated pedestrian and bicycle system throughout the city.
• The need for the city to incorporate a multi-modal approach to transportation management that includes pedestrian and bicycle facilities, buses, ride sharing, and park and ride lots.
• The need to coordinate efforts with FDOT, St. Lucie County TPO, and other transportation related agencies to ensure the needs of the city are incorporated into their plans and to promote participation in ridesharing, bicycle and pedestrian studies, and other traffic management programs.

4. Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment
1. The need for the city to continue to coordinate with the South Florida Water Management District on alternative water supply projects to ensure that adequate water supplies are in place to serve projected population.
2. The need to promote water conservation and reuse strategies.
3. The need to evaluate the adequacy of the city’s open space and wetland protection regulations.
4. The need to assess the adequacy of the city’s stormwater management system and storage capacity and evaluate innovative or alternative methods of stormwater treatment including low impact or sustainable development techniques.
5. The need for the city to create multi-purpose facilities that are designed to serve an infrastructure purpose, such as stormwater management or water storage, and provide opportunities for passive recreation and habitat protection.
6. The need for the city to develop policies in the Comprehensive Plan to meet state requirements regarding greenhouse gas reductions, energy conservation, and energy efficient housing.

The Evaluation and Appraisal Report is being prepared by the Planning and Zoning Department. The due date for adopting the city's EAR is April 2010. For further information regarding the EAR, please contact Bridget Kean at (772) 873 6489 or bkean@cityofpsl.com.

Related documents

EAR PowerPoint presentation

Letter of Understanding to Department of Community Affairs (Major issues and scope of work)

Response from the Department of Community Affairs