The state review is one of the final steps in
the process to update the Comprehensive Plan, an activity that
is required every seven years. State law was passed about 20
years ago to require such planning by all local governments. Earlier steps included a thorough review
of the current plan and development of a ‘vision plan’ that
describes how Melbourne may look in future years. For
instance, the vision includes more intense development of
activity centers that include historic downtown areas. It
also reflects citizen requests for more walkways and
greenways.
A key part of the effort is development
of a revised ‘Future Land Use Map’ that sets out patterns
for Melbourne’s future growth. The proposed map reflects plans to change
land use designations on properties at about three dozen
locations. Property owners have been directly notified about
the proposed changes. Interested persons can
access an
online map at
that shows locations and briefly describes the planned
changes. (Click on the 'i' icon at the upper right
portion of the map, then click on any letter designation to
view land use proposals.)
There will be another opportunity for
public discussion of the plan when the final proposal goes
to the City Council for public hearings, most likely in
October or November. The revised plan will
at that point include adjustments requested during the state
review.
