How Shall We Live in Volusia?

Shelley Lauten

Director, myregion.org

June 16, 2007

myregion.org• Began in 1999

• Phase I

– About 3,000 citizens engaged

– About 300 Government, Civic and Business Leaders

– Began at the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Question

How Can Central Florida Compete in the Global

Economy and Maintain a High Standard Quality of Life?

Central Florida

Counties Brevard, Lake, Orange,Osceola, Polk, Seminoleand Volusia

86 Cities

Public, Private and Civic Leaders

Regional Priority Areas

• Economic Leadership

• Education

• Environment

• Fragmentation

• Quality of Life

• Smart, Quality Growth

1950

400,000

2005

3,521,813

2050

7,123,770

Central FloridaPopulation Projections

Through 2050

Key Issue

While the population of the United States is projected to

grow by 49% between now and 2050, Central Florida has a

projected growth rate of 136%.

Volusia County is projected to grow from 494,000 to 874,000

residents.

How is the Region Growing?

Population – 3,521,813Developed Area – 2,618 sq. miles

Population – 7,123,770Developed Area – 5,196 sq. miles

2005 – Trend

2050 – Trend

Regional Research

“Environmental Jewels” • St. Johns Mosaic

• Indian River Lagoon

• Kissimmee Prairie

• Volusia Corridor

• Green Swamp

• Wekiva Greenway

• Lake Wales Ridge

Central Florida Values Study

Nature and the Outdoors

Safe and Secure Communities

Education

High Quality of Life from Enjoyment in Family Friendly Activity Nature Allows

Peace of Mind and Security from Living in Safe and Secure Communities

Community and Parental Peace and Pride Through Good Educational Opportunities

Values Pillars

How Shall We Grow?

Project Partners

GoalCreate a shared 50-year vision for the seven-county Central

Florida Region

Step 1 – Regional Event Mar 29, 2006

Step 2 – Community Information Sessions Apr/May 2006

Step 3 – Community Input Sessions May-June 2006

Step 4 – Community Input Sessions Aug-Sept 2006

Step 5 – Regional Event Oct 13, 2006

Step 6 – Community Wide Outreach Jan-Feb 2007

Step 7 – Community Summit August 10, 2007

Citizen InvolvementFeedback in Shaping the Vision

March 2006-February 2007

• 150 Community Presentations

• 10,000 meeting participants

• 7,319 survey participants

Ongoing Citizen Awareness

Since March 2007

• 40 Community Presentations

• 2,000 meeting participants

6 Regional Growth Principles

What Did We Learn?

• Preserve Green Areas

• Provide Access to Education, Health Care and Cultural Amenities

• Provide Transportation Choices

• Encourage Economic Development

• Foster Distinctive, Attractive and Safe Places to Live

• Create Range of Obtainable Housing

Three Key Themes

Preserve Green Areas

Create Town Centers

Develop Transit Corridors

What Did We Learn?

The TrendBy UF Geo Plan

Ctr.

Green Areas

By UF Geo Plan Ctr.

CentersBy Renaissance Planning Group

Corridors By UF Geo Plan Ctr.

What Could These

“Themes” Look Like? . .

.

“Four Choices” for Our Future

7,319 Citizens Provided Feedback On the “Four Choices”

• Selected Preferred Future

• Gave Input on What Matters Most- Percentage developed land, 2050

- Percentage conserved land, 2050

- Air Quality

- Water Demand

- Transportation choices

- Commute Times

- Economic Impact

Clear Loser

The Trend

• First Choice 4.14%

• Second Choice 4.04%

• Third Choice 5.36%

• Least Preferred 86.5%

Data Driven IdentificationOf Potential Conservation Lands

2,996,682 Acres of Uplands,Wetlands, & Water Protected

55% of MyRegion

SCENARIO 3SCENARIO 3

Central Florida has its regional 2050 vision:

#1. Avoid the Trend

#2. Establish the “Green Print”

#3. Promote more growth in centers

#4. Connect some centers with rail transit

Countryside

Conservation

Corridors

2050 Regional Growth Vision

Centers

A Visual Representation of:

Development policesand issues

Vision for the FutureNext Steps:

Implementing a Shared

Vision Requires

Consensus on Growth

Policies

Who Has Been Working to Address the Principles?

• Joint Policy Framework Committee

• Council of Mayors

• MPO Alliance

• myregion.org

• Regional Leadership Council

• Regional Planning Councils

• School Boards Coalition

• Smart Growth Alliance

How Can We Create Shared, Consistent Growth Policies?

Regional Policies: Joint Policy Committee, MPO Alliance, Regional Planning CouncilsCounty Policies: County Commissioners and Staffs

Local Policies: Mayors, City Commissioners and Staffs

Shared Vision: Based on six Principles of Growth

Regional

County

Shared Vision

Citizen

Input

Local

Community SummitAugust 10, 2007

Web Site:www.myregion.

org

How Shall We Grow?