Comprehensive planning is a term used to describe a process that determines community goals and aspirations in terms of community development. The outcome of comprehensive planning is the Comprehensive Plan which dictates public policy in terms of land use, transportation, utilities, recreation, and housing. Comprehensive plans encompass large geographical areas, a broad range of topics, and cover a long-term time horizon.
Chapter 163, Part II of the Florida Statute (F.S.), provides that each local government shall have the power and responsibility to plan for their future development and growth; to adopt and amend comprehensive plans, or elements to guide their future development and growth; to implement adopted or amended comprehensive plans by the adoption of appropriate land development regulations; and to establish, support, and maintain administrative instruments and procedures to carry out the provisions and purposes of this act.
Comprehensive Planning follows a typical planning process which consists of eight different steps. By following this process, we are able to determine a wide range of interconnecting issues that affect the City and surrounding urban area.