The Northeast Florida Region faces challenges including growth, preserving valuable eco-systems, improving economic viability, and maintaining the quality of life that makes this region unique. The region is at a critical juncture, expected to grow by 1.6 million people and 650,000 jobs by 2050. Rapid change and recent economic challenges have heightened awareness that growth related issues are best addressed on the regional level.
Nearly two years ago leaders from the non-government sector, business, and government, participated in a regional visioning exercise called Reality Check First Coast. The visioning process resulted in the publication of First Coast Vision, released in October, 2011. First Coast Vision details the process that looked at current growth trends and worked to build a unified vision for future growth over the next 50 years. Of the nearly 500 people who participated in the visioning exercises their visions focused on the following:
-Using less land than what would be required to grow as the region has currently been growing; --Protecting and conserving open spaces, agricultural lands, and natural resources;
-Promoting compact and sustainable mixed-use development that allows for a balance of people and jobs that could reduce commute times;
-Increasing density and promoting infill in existing developed areas, which could reduce infrastructure demands and make transit a viable option;
-Promoting economic vitality and competiveness while capitalizing on regional assets and promoting community identity.
As Northeast Florida’s visioning plan is codified for the next 50 years, its importance is even greater now that state growth management has been effectively gutted. With no state oversight local communities will be in charge of growth management and Northeast Florida is poised to face future growth challenges and preserve the region’s natural and scenic resources.
-Elizabeth Barron, Legal Intern
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