Second round of virtual community meetings to review and discuss new state requirements for comprehensive plan

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County will be hosting a second round of virtual community meetings about new state requirements and discussing draft language for the Comprehensive Plan’s Coastal and Conservation Element. The meetings will summarize the County’s efforts related to disaster recovery, storm risk, and sea level rise as they relate to future updates of the Comprehensive Plan. The County would like to hear from the public about these draft Comprehensive Plan changes. The Board of County Commissioners reviewed the proposed language during the May 20, 2020 meeting.

The link for the virtual “Go To Meeting” can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar. The meetings will be held:

  • Thursday June 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (General public)
  • Monday June 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (General public)
  • Thursday June 25, 1-2 p.m. (General public and Municipal Review)

In 2015, Florida’s Growth Policy Act was amended to require local governments to address what is called the “Peril of Flood.” The new law requires that local governments must have Coastal Elements in its Comprehensive Plans and include a redevelopment component that outlines principles to eliminate inappropriate and unsafe development in the coastal areas when opportunities arise. The law requires policy language in the Comprehensive Plan that addresses high-tide events, storm surge, flash floods, stormwater runoff, and the related impacts of sea-level rise.

“Monroe County has several planning efforts underway that address redevelopment related to disaster recovery, storm risk and sea level rise,” said Michael Roberts, Monroe County Assistant Director of Environmental Resources. “These planning efforts will provide much needed information that will assist the County in its updates to comply with these new State requirements.”

Last year, Monroe County received a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Coastal Resiliency Program to start these required updates to the Comprehensive Plan.

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