I had occasion recently to dig into this.
A zoning map shows the zoning designation of a property and is correlated to the zoning code of a municipality. This is the map from which one would obtain the zoning designation of a property so as to go into the zoning code and see what a property may, or may not, be used for. What the building set backs are? May I have a detached garage or say a guest house?
A future land use map is used by the various planning agencies in Florida, FDOT, SFWMD, to plan for growth. So an Engineer working for say the water district would use the future land use map to get the future land use designation of a large areas. They would then look to the Comprehensive Plan or regional water plan to find the maximum density in that area. This would then be used to determine IF with a maximum number of units (and per capita gallons/day) there’s enough water. The future land use map and comprehensive plan are the product of the “local planning agency” which is typically the local panning commission. The BIG thing in the FLU is that ALL zoning codes and official actions (permits) must be in compliance with the Comp Plan.
- FL chapter 163 provides:
- “Local planning agency” means the agency designated to prepare the comprehensive plan or plan amendments required by this act.”
- Specifically 163.3174(4) provides that: The local planning agency SHALL:
- (a) Be the agency responsible for the preparation of the comprehensive plan or plan amendment…
- (b) Monitor and oversee the effectiveness and status of the comprehensive plan…including the periodic evaluation and appraisal of the comprehensive plan required by s. 163.3191.
- (c) Review proposed land development regulations, land development codes, or amendments thereto, and make recommendations to the governing body as to the consistency of the proposal with the adopted comprehensive plan.
What’s the connection between the two? The Comprehensive Plan and future land use is the MAXIMUM use that can done in that land. Fl 163.3194(1)(a) reads “After a comprehensive plan, or element or portion thereof, has been adopted in conformity with this act, ALL development undertaken by, and all (ALL) actions taken in regard to development orders by governmental agencies in regard to land covered by such plan or element SHALL BE consistent with such plan or element as adopted.”
