Comprehensive Planning

The Comprehensive plan has been established as the guideline for the future growth of our community. The Comprehensive plan deals with issues related to the appropriate uses of land, and was prepared to address compatibility issues between various uses of land, management and preservation of natural resources, identification and preservation of historically significant lands and structures, and adequate planning for infrastructure needs. Comprehensive plans are also utilized to address issues related to schools, recreation, and housing. The Comprehensive Plan consists of a study of existing conditions and a discussion of future trends, goals, and objectives. Land-use patterns, housing conditions, population, roadways, and other infrastructure are usually the principle elements that are studied.

Comprehensive Plan-
The Official Escambia County Comprehensive Plan is codified in Volume II, Part II of the Code of Ordinances of Escambia County.

Applications will be accepted for the next CPA cycle in August 2009

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE CLICKING THE LINK ON THE RIGHT TO ACCESS THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:

The page will open to the Escambia County Code of Ordinances on the Municipal Code Corporation's site. Scroll down the bookmarks on the left side of the page to Part II (Comprehensive Plan). Note: Future Land Use information is in Chapter 7.

Click here to access a List of Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan (1993-2008) (Includes ordinances recently adopted but not yet codified in the official version )

Click on the links below to access the most recent annual Comprehensive Plan Implementation Reports (CPI).

To help you participate in Florida's Growth Management process, click here.
To help you understand Florida's Growth Management Process, click here.

Escambia County's Comprehensive Plan Update
As required by Florida Statutes, Escambia County is currently in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is a long-range master plan that directs future growth and development and serves as a guide for making local land use decisions. It helps the County prioritize capital projects and plan for efficient and cost-effective provision of infrastructure and public services. The Comprehensive Plan also serves to protect and preserve the County’s economic base, its rich heritage and abundant natural resources. Finally, the Comprehensive Plan seeks to protect and enhance quality of life for residents and visitors alike through the year 2030.

In 2006/07 Escambia County held a series of 25 workshops, meetings and public hearings to review its existing Comprehensive Plan. The final evaluation document - the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) – was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on August 2, 2007. The series of recommendations found in the EAR serve as the basis for the update of the Comprehensive Plan.

Escambia County has also conducted an analysis of its future land use categories and zoning districts (CECAS I and CECAS II Studies), and, based upon that analysis, proposes to consolidate and simplify those designations on County’s Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and Zoning Map. The goals, objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Plan must also be updated consistent with these proposed land use and zoning changes.

In June 2008, Escambia County retained MSCW Inc. (MSCW), an Orlando-based Planning, Design & Engineering firm, to assist in the update of its Comprehensive Plan consistent with the EAR, CECAS I and II studies and best planning practices. Since then, MSCW and County staff have been working to draft proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan and facilitate public participation and input into the Comprehensive Plan update.

Comprehensive Plan Update Schedule
While the public workshops offer the best opportunity for the public to comment and offer constructive input on the proposed revisions to the Comprehensive Plan, FLUM and Zoning Map there will be further opportunities for public comment during the public hearing process.

The proposed amendments will be discussed and voted on at the Local Planning Agency (LPA) and Board of County Commissioners (BCC) transmittal public hearings expected to be held in March and April 2009, respectively. After the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has reviewed the proposed amendment package, the Local Planning Agency (LPA) adoption public hearing is expected to be held in July 2009 and the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) adoption public hearing is expected to be held in August 2009. The dates and times of these meetings will be posted as they are scheduled.

The provisional Comprehensive Plan Update Schedule is posted below. It will be revised over time as necessary.

Task Date of Completion Status
Audit Comp Plan, EAR & Draft Working Document June-December 2008 Complete
Introduction to Planning Board January 12, 2009 Complete
District 3 Public Workshop January 20, 2009 Complete
District 2 Public Workshop January 27, 2009 Complete
District 1 Public Workshop January 28, 2009 Complete
District 4 Public Workshop February 2, 2009 Scheduled
District 5 Public Workshop February 3, 2009 Scheduled
Final Public Workshop February 11, 2009 Scheduled
LPA Transmittal Public Hearing April 13, 2009 Scheduled
BCC Transmittal Public Hearing May 7, 2009 Pending
Transmit Comp Plan to DCA May 20, 2009 Pending
ORC Issued After DCA Review July 20, 2009 Pending
LPA Adoption Public Hearing September 14, 2009 Pending
BCC Adoption Public Hearing October 1, 2009 Pending
Anticipated Effective Date of 2030 Comp Plan December 2009  

Notes: All pending dates are tentative and may be subject to change. DCA deadline for Comp Plan adoption is October 16, 2009

Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) Based Amendments

The purpose of the evaluation and appraisal report (EAR) is to provide a summary analysis of the county’s major planning issues and identify any actions that are required to address these issues.  The EAR is the planning tool that is utilized in the assessment process. The results of the EAR are then used to update the goals, objectives, and policies contained within the comprehensive plan. 

Chapter 163, Florida Statutes requires that every municipality and county adopt a comprehensive plan that guides the long range planning process within their jurisdictional boundaries. As part of this process, the comprehensive plan is intended to be a dynamic document.  It can be amended to address changing development patterns, the provision of public facilities and services, the protection of environmental resources, and to encourage cooperation between local governments.  Florida Statutes set forth a method to periodically monitor the effectiveness of the comprehensive plan.  The EAR is the planning tool that is utilized in the assessment process. This is a two-stage process beginning with preparation of the Evaluation and Appraisal Report and ending with the adoption of amendments to the comprehensive plan recommended by the EAR.