The application for a gas station at Crump and Miccosukee has revealed that the policies and regulations that determine where commercial development can go are much much different than the residents of the County thought.<\/p>\n
It’s time to change them.<\/p>\n
The Land Use and Zoning policies and regulations\u00a0determine\u00a0whether Leon County and the City of \u00a0Tallahassee\u00a0become a community that is a car oriented sprawling one with little differentiation between suburban and rural or one with a much wider range of transportation, housing and development choices that clear distinguishes suburban development from open space, agriculture and rural villages. \u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n But to do so, one has to understand what the policies and regulations are now \u00a0and how they affect the rural area. \u00a0With this knowledge in hand, we – the residents, public staff and County Commissioners – can craft policy that will support the rural land, lifestyle and the needs and wishes of all of the citizens of Leon County.<\/p>\n The choice is ours. \u00a0This choice is expressed in the Comprehensive Plan policies and the way in which they are interpreted through the Land Development Code.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n It starts here –\u00a0The\u00a0Future Land Use<\/strong>\u00a0map (FLU): \u00a0Future Land Use Map<\/a><\/p>\n It’s a very “busy” map, but it’s the one that shapes our neighborhoods and our experience of living here. \u00a0It is also what has allowed\u00a0this gas station to be proposed and receive a preliminary approval.<\/p>\n Notice the area designated\u00a0“Rural” on this map. \u00a0This is also the\u00a0“Rural” zoning district. \u00a0The intersection of Crump and Miccosukee is “Rural”.<\/p>\n There are many other parts of Leon County with the same designation. \u00a0You know where they are – they look like your “neighborhood”: lots of open fields, crop land, farms, animals, houses scattered here and there, some clustered into developments. \u00a0Lots of space, lots of open landscape and views. \u00a0Lots of narrow roads, many unpaved. \u00a0Lots of night dark sky, stars and the Milky Way!!<\/p>\n We hope you will take some time to look at the maps, read the attached documents. \u00a0Find your parcel, your neighborhood on the maps, the road and see what the government policy for development actually is for your neck of the woods.<\/p>\n These are the topics:<\/p>\n 1. \u00a0Urban Services Area<\/strong><\/p>\n 2. Rural and Urban Fringe<\/strong><\/p>\n 3. \u00a0Roadway Designation<\/strong><\/p>\n 3. \u00a0Existing Conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Land Use Polices and Zoning The application for a gas station at Crump and Miccosukee has revealed that the policies and regulations that determine where commercial development can go are much much different than the residents of the County thought. … Continue reading