| Frequently Asked Questions about The City of Lakeland Comprehensive Plan |
What is the Comprehensive Plan? |
| The Comprehensive Plan is a ten-year blueprint for future growth of the City. It examines relevant information such as population projections, the pattern of existing development, the suitability of land for development, the capacity of public facilities to serve future development, and the financial capacity of the City to make improvements to those facilities. It establishes official City policies toward land use and growth. It includes a Future Land Use Map that regulates the general type of land use that is allowed (commercial, industrial, residential etc.) and the maximum density (living units per acre) or intensity (square feet of building area) of those uses. The State of Florida requires all counties and municipalities to adopt comprehensive plans. All land use decisions made by the City must be in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. |
I’ve heard that the Comprehensive Plan is made up of different chapters. What are they? |
| By law, the Comprehensive Plan must include the following elements: Future Land Use, Transportation, Infrastructure (water, wastewater, drainage etc.), Recreation and Open Space, Conservation, Housing, Intergovernmental Coordination, and Capital Improvements. |
How often is the Comprehensive Plan updated? |
| Certain components, like the Capital Improvements Program, are updated annually. The plan can be revised or amended up to two times per year. Every ten years the plan is evaluated and rewritten to include the next ten years. |
Are changes to the Future Land Use Map limited to the twice-per-year amendment cycle? |
| Yes, for "large scale" map amendments affecting properties ten acres or larger. There is no limit on the number of "small scale" map amendments affecting parcels under ten acres, however, the areas subject to small scale amendments are limited to a combined total of 60 acres in any one year. |
Doesn’t the State of Florida have to OK changes to the Future Land Use Map? |
| The Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) reviews all text amendments and all "large scale" map amendments. The City must justify the need for proposed changes in conformance with state law and must adequately respond to any official DCA "objections" before the changes can be adopted. "Small scale" amendments are not reviewed by DCA. |
How long does it take to get a map amendment once application is made? |
| About 6 months for a large scale map amendment. About three months for a small scale amendment. Approval is not automatic. A proposed amendment must be reviewed by staff, recommended by the Planning & Zoning Board, and approved by the City Commission. |
How does the City of Lakeland Comprehensive Plan relate to the Polk County Comprehensive Plan? |
| The City’s plan applies only within the city limits of Lakeland. The County’s plan applies only within unincorporated Polk County. Although similar in some respects, the two plans are entirely different. The two governments coordinate on certain planning and development activities such as road planning. |
How can I find out more information about the Comprehensive Plan? |
| Please contact Celeste Deardorff, Principal Planner, at (863) 834-6011. |
