MANATEE — County government has begun a yearlong review of its long-term vision for Manatee.
It would like a few more sets of eyes.
The first of two open houses to kick off the county’s comprehensive plan review process will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the South County Library, 6081 26th St. W.
The comprehensive plan, available for review at mymanatee.org or at all county libraries, is a thick binder of maps and graphs and rules that sets goals for growth and development in Manatee County. It works in concert with the land development code to chart a course for county departments.
It features elements, or chapters, on future land use, utilities, stormwater systems, transportation, ports and intergovernmental cooperation, among other topics.
The addition of Amendment 4 may add a spark to the public debate. Amendment 4 is a statewide ballot initiative that would require local governments to get voter approval before changing comprehensive land-use plans. It is on the Nov. 2 ballot.
County Planning Director John Osborne said several special interest groups, from environmental organizations to neighborhood associations, attended open houses during the last review in 2004 to address growth and development issues prominent at the time.
“Perhaps with Amendment 4, that will spark a similar amount of interest in it,” Osborne said. “People are certainly asking the question: ‘What is a comp plan and why do we have it?’”
Manatee County adopted its comprehensive plan in May 1989 after the Florida Legislature required all local governments to develop and implement a plan upon which future land-use would be based.
The state requires a thorough review of the comprehensive plan every seven years. Manatee County’s evaluation review is due to the state Sept. 1, 2011.
The other open house will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Parrish Community Center, 2006 122nd Ave. E., Parrish.
At 2 p.m. Friday, the county will receive input from other area government officials at the administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W.
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