The public has an upcoming opportunity to provide feedback on significant proposed changes to the future land use and mobility elements of the combined Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan. The Tallahassee City Commission will conduct its transmittal hearing at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, June 11 at City Hall (301 S. Adams Street). 

Background

The City of Tallahassee and Leon County are unique in that they share a joint Comprehensive Plan. The Plan is comprised of a dozen elements covering topics such as future land use, mobility, conservation, utilities, and more. These elements and their associated goals, objectives, and policies guide much of the City and County's everyday functions, including land development, environmental protection, and public infrastructure investment. The Plan has not been comprehensively updated since its adoption in 1992.  

Several years ago, the City/County Planning Department embarked upon an update to two of the most critical elements of the Plan: future land use and mobility. Given the interrelated nature of these topics, the decision was made to combine the two elements into one. Proposed revisions to both the maps and the goals, objectives, and policies of the combined Future Land Use and Mobility Element are located on the Planning Department’s Comprehensive Plan update website, A Focused Future.

The proposed revisions signify an important departure from the status quo. They accommodate balanced future growth by combining modest expansions to the urban service boundary with increased densities for infill development. They streamline the Plan and appropriately defer detailed regulations to the Land Development Code. They prioritize housing affordability and economic development. The proposed revisions promote vital and sustainable growth that will serve the City and County well in the years ahead.

Community Outreach and Public Hearings

On May 13, after two years of public outreach and stakeholder engagement, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners voted to transmit the proposed amendments to the Florida Department of Commerce for review. The Tallahassee City Commission conducted a public hearing on May 14 and ultimately voted to postpone transmittal to allow additional time for community feedback. A new transmittal hearing has been scheduled for 6:00 pm, Wednesday, June 11 at City Hall (301 S. Adams Street). 

Landowners, developers, builders, and pro-housing advocates who are interested in smart growth and community prosperity should consider appearing at the June 11 transmittal hearing to provide comments in support of the proposed amendments. Our Land Development, Zoning, and Environmental Team has been engaged as a community stakeholder throughout this process and is closely monitoring the outcome of the proposed amendments.