Evergreen and the OC Comprehensive Plan
Orange County Comprehensive Plan – Future Land Use Element Excerpts from pages FLU-114 & FLU-115 to be considered for the Evergreen Subdivision Development
OBJ FLU6.2 RURAL SETTLEMENTS. Rural Settlements provide for a rural residential lifestyle. In some instances, Rural Settlements allow a transition of rural areas adjacent to the Urban Service Area while avoiding development in active agricultural areas. Rural Settlements were intended to recognize and preserve existing development patterns at the time the Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1991. The creation of Rural Settlements recognized the need to maintain agricultural areas and rural uses in the Rural Service Area, while providing for rural communities. (Added 12/00, Ord. 00-25, Obj. 2.1-r) POLICIES FLU6.2.1 The following Rural Settlements shall be designated on the Future Land Use Map to meet the desire for a rural lifestyle. No new Rural Settlements or expansions to the existing Rural Settlement boundaries shall occur.
Rural Settlements:
Bithlo, Bridle Path (annexed by Apopka), Christmas, Clarcona, Corner Lake, Gotha, Lake Avalon, Lake Hart/Lake Whippoorwill, Lake Mary Jane, Lake Pickett North, Apopka/Wekiva North, Christmas, Otter Lake, Paradise Heights, Rainbow Ridge, Sunflower Trail/Seaward Plantation, Tangerine, Tildenville, Wedgefield, West Windermere, Zellwood, Zellwood Station
Rural Settlements were implemented to recognize communities that existed at the time of the 1991 Comprehensive Policy Plan adoption. The intent of the prohibition of expansions of existing or the creation of new rural settlements is to focus development within the County’s Urban Service Area and discourage the proliferation of extended Rural Settlement boundaries. In addition this policy will allow time for vacant and committed lands within existing Rural Settlements to develop as a means of satisfying this style of living. This policy will be monitored and evaluated as part of the 2014 EAR. (Added 12/00, Ord. 00-25; Amended 6/10, Ord. 10-07, Policy 2.1.1-r)
FLU6.2.2 Every effort shall be made to preserve the existing character of the Christmas, Clarcona, Gotha, Tangerine, and Zellwood Rural Settlements as part of Orange County’s heritage and historic preservation. Rural Settlements may be designated as Preservation Districts for the purposes of municipal annexation pursuant to the Orange County Charter, Article V. (Added 12/00, Ord. 00-25, Policy 2.1.2-r) [Tangerine is designated as a Preservation District in the Orange County Charter.]
FLU6.2.3 Development proposals consisting of over 10% of the overall acreage of the Rural Settlement or greater than 25 residential units within a Rural Settlement shall have final approval as a Planned Development. The Planned Development shall reflect the intended rural character consistent with the criteria listed in Future Land Use Policies FLU6.2.4 and FLU6.2.5. (Added 12/00, Ord. 00-25, Policy 2.1.6) FLU6.2.4 The County may use the Planned Development designation to ensure new development within the Rural Settlement contributes to the community’s sense of place. These criteria shall include, but not be limited to, the following: A. Designs for new roads, and alterations to existing roads, should ensure the physical impact on the natural and historic environment is kept to a minimum; B. New roads or road improvements shall be designed to accommodate the anticipated volume and nature of traffic, but pavement shall be kept as narrow as safety allows while encouraging equestrian, bicycle, pedestrian, and other non-motorized, alternative means of transportation, preservation of wildlife corridors and habitat, and aesthetically pleasing landscape treatment; and, C. New buildings and structures shall be located where their construction or access does not cause substantial modification to the topography and natural resources. D. Provide for increased setbacks along roadways to preserve views, open space, and rural character; and provide guidelines for lot layout and cluster development for residential development to maintain open space and rural character. (Added 12/00, Ord. 00-25, Policy 2.1.7-r)
FLU6.2.5 The permitted densities and intensities of land use within the Rural Settlements shall maintain their rural character. Factors to be considered shall include lot size, open space and views, tree canopy, building location and orientation, and compatibility with existing land uses. Density and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) calculation shall be defined as the language specified in Future Land Use Element Policy FLU1.1.2(B). (Added 12/00, Ord. 00-25; Amended 6/10, Ord. 10-07, Policy 2.1.8-r, 2.1.9-r) FLU6.2.6 The Future Land Use Map shall reflect the permitted densities of development within the Rural Settlements. Clustering of units with dedicated open space shall be allowed so long as the overall density does not exceed that specified on the Future Land Use Map. COMMENT: “NOT REQUIRED” Density and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) calculations shall be defined as the language specified in the Future Land Use Element Policy FLU1.1.2(B). (Added 8/92, Ord. 92-24; Amended 8/93, Ord. 93-19; Amended 6/10, Ord. 10-07, Policy 1.1.11) Clustering shall be supported to maintain the rural character through preservation of open space and lot layout and design. Generally recognized and accepted conservation subdivisions can be used where they minimize impacts on areas with rural character provided their use is consistent with the overall intent of Rural Settlement boundaries. Clustering, with permanent protection of open space, shall be encouraged or required for all new development and redevelopment within the Wekiva Study Area, based on location, i.e., Urban Service Area, Rural Service Area, Rural Settlement, Growth Center and overall project acreage. The County shall evaluate incentives to further the implementation of open space preservation and maximum impervious surface ratios and include these in the Land Development Code. (Added 12/00, Ord. 00-25, Policy 2.1.9-r)
FLU6.2.9 RESERVED.
FLU6.2.10 The future land use, density, and intensity of development adjacent to a Rural Settlement shall not negatively impact the character of the Rural Settlement. Density on adjacent parcels shall be reviewed in the context of its compatibility with the Rural Settlement.