riverbend comprehensive plan amendment january 15, 2008

RIVERBENDCOMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT

JANUARY 15, 2008

Environmental Consulting & Design, Inc.

Description of Request

FLUM Amendment Size: 2,067 acres Total Site Size: 2,237 acres Change Land Use from Agricultural 3 to

Agricultural 2 Represents increase of 103 dwelling units

Site Design: Compact, cluster development Maintains rural character of the County while

providing for sensible growth and environmental protection

Preserving 1,311 acres along Ochlockonee River, an Outstanding Florida Water

Surrounding Area

Add area of disturbed areas

Current Future Land Use

Agricultural 3 (1:20)

Agricultural 2 (1:10)

Leon County

Rural (1:10)

Rural Residential

(1:1)

Agricultural 1 (1:5)

Proposed Future Land Use

Agricultural 2 (1:10)

Agricultural 2 (1:10)

Leon County

Rural (1:10)

Rural Residential (1:1)

Agricultural 1 (1:5)

Conceptual Site Plan 177 4-acre lots Gross Density of

1 unit per 12.64 acres

1,311 acres permanently conserved

28,500 Linear feet of river preserved

30,275 Linear feet of nature trails

50 foot wetland buffers

Provides 2 acres of Neighborhood Commercial Uses

Environmental Protection

Protects 1,311 acres of uplands, wetlands and floodplain by providing a perpetual Conservation Easement which exceeds County standard of 30 year protection Protects 59% of the site

Easement may be granted to County, Conservation Group, Land Trust, State Agency

Provides Management Plan for Conservation Easement Area funded by the Homeowners Association

Low Impact Development Techniques

Minimization of Impervious Surfaces Through use of clustered design and shared driveways

Limitations on the amount of turf and fertilization

Firewise Community Planning Practices Water Conservation Bioretention Areas or ‘Rain Gardens’ Grass Swales Permeable Pavements Rain Barrels or Cisterns Narrower Street Widths Educational Programs

Allow residents to fully understand the purpose and function of LID components

Native Vegetation

Proposed Advanced Septic Systems

Benefits of Riverbend

Intent is to preserve the rural character and promote rural economic activity while discouraging urban sprawl Permanently protects over 1,300 acres in a

conservation easement Cluster design protects Ochlockonee River and

other environmentally sensitive lands Captures economic growth from Leon County

Improves tax base of County from $5,450 to $656,773

Proximate to the Town of Havana

Staff Concerns

Public Recreation access Existing access maintained Possible additional land for public use

Need “Recognized pressure for development” as a result of

border effects of Leon County Existing and planned subdivisions in this area are not

sufficient to meet future growth needs Site Suitability

Converts 59% of site from intensive silviculture to permanent conservation

Traffic Level of Service not degraded in Gadsden or Leon County

RIVERBEND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT

JANUARY 15, 2008

Environmental Consulting & Design, Inc.