Comprehensive‑plan workshops continue; staff highlights conservation, parks and intergovernmental coordination changes

Planning staff presented the next set of workshops in the Flagler County comprehensive‑plan update process on Feb. 10, summarizing public feedback, proposed goals/objectives and new policies for the conservation, recreation/open‑space, intergovernmental coordination and infrastructure elements.

Simone Kenny, planner, reminded the board the county’s last comprehensive‑plan update was in 2011 and that the update will be followed by a land‑development code (LDC) rewrite to implement policies. She reviewed public engagement results from three public workshops and an online survey with nearly 900 responses. Top public priorities were conserving natural environments, addressing stormwater and flooding, preserving rural character and ensuring adequate water supply.

Key proposals described in the presentation: - Conservation: staff proposed policies to pursue farmland conservation easements (including coordination with the Department of Agriculture’s rural family lands program), explore a regional wetland mitigation bank, study whether hammock areas on the barrier island should be designated as special ecological districts, and reinforce septic‑to‑sewer planning near surface waters. - Recreation and open space: staff emphasized implementation of the county’s parks and recreation master plan, evaluation of a regional sports complex, and prioritizing non‑motorized connections. Policy language also proposes ensuring ADA accessibility and coordinating park access with transit where feasible. - Intergovernmental coordination: staff proposed preparing an interlocal service‑boundary agreement with municipalities and establishing a joint planning committee (or equivalent interlocal mechanisms) to address annexation, utility service boundaries and consistency among local plans. - Infrastructure: staff noted coordination needs for potable water, wastewater and stormwater and reaffirmed compliance with the Lower St. Johns River basin management plan; the element will also include policies to coordinate capacity and demand reporting with utility providers.

Boardmembers asked for clarifications and suggested changes: one commissioner asked staff to clarify a longstanding policy about density between State Road A1A and the nearest water body (language carried forward from previous plans that caused confusion in earlier reviews), and another commissioner asked staff to return with more detail on floodplain protections and septic‑system policy implementation. Kenny agreed to add those items to the next workshop and to provide a schedule for upcoming element workshops.

Next steps: staff will continue workshops for remaining elements (transportation, housing, economic development and future land use) and expects to transmit the draft plan to state reviewers in spring, with adoption hearings anticipated later in the summer. Staff said they will follow the comprehensive plan update with an LDC rewrite to implement policy changes.