How to Write Goals, Objectives and Policies

EAR-Based Amendment Forum Presented by the Pinellas Planning Council September 14, 2006

What are Goals, Objections and Policies?

Framework of the Comprehensive Plan Goals: Long term result Objective: Measurable, specific result Policy: How to achieve the objective, and ultimately, the goal.

Minimum Requirements

Ch. 163, F.S. & Rule 9J-5, F.A.C.

Specific Future Land Use Element Objectives  Coordinate FLU with topography and soils  Encourage redevelopment and renewal of blighted areas  Ensure the protection of natural and historic resources  Discourage the proliferation of urban sprawl

Example of Goal GOAL: Promote the distribution of land uses that will preserve and enhance the character of Fort Lauderdale by establishing land development guides designed to promote environmental protection, meet social and economic needs, provide for adequate services and facilities, conserve natural resources, and ensure compatibility of land uses.

Example of Objective

OBJECTIVE 1

:

CONCURRENCY MANAGEMENT

Maintain a concurrency management system to assure the availability of facilities and services, which meet the adopted level of service standards as identified in the City’s Comprehensive Plan elements, concurrent with the impacts of new development.

Example of Policy

POLICY 1.1: The City shall continue to ensure that adequate facilities and services are in place to accommodate proposed development and to assess the impacts which proposed development will have on existing public services and facilities and monitor ongoing concurrency findings for cumulative impacts on public services and facilities.

Example of Measurement Option

Evaluation Measures: 1. Annual record of facility and service improvements as identified in the Plan that are undertaken to support development and redevelopment within the City so as to ensure that all facilities are operating at or below capacity. 2. Record of the City achieving and maintaining those levels of service standards established within the City.

Measurement Options

Methods for Determining Achievement Types of Measurement Options  Time or Deadline  Quantity  Quality  Event  Outcome

Measurement Options – Time or Deadline City of Tallahassee / Leon County  Policy 1.2.2: [C] (Effective 7/16/90) By 1991, involve other area governments, such as adjacent counties, regional, state and federal agencies, in the review process regarding ordinances and policies that affect surface waters and unique environmental communities shared by other jurisdictions.

Measurement Options - Quantity City of Fort Lauderdale 

OBJECTIVE 6

:

REDEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION OF BLIGHTED AREAS

Continue to redevelop and revitalize blighted areas of the City.

Evaluation Measure: Annual record of redevelopment revitalization projects and programs within blighted and deteriorating areas of the City.

Measurement Option - Event

City of Gainesville

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Objective . 1.2 The City shall enhance its Local Arts Agency (LAA) services to individual artists and small arts organizations.

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Policy

1.2.1 The City shall hold at least two workshops yearly to address issues of concern, such as access, professionalism, fiscal accountability, marketing, audience development, grants writing, and others.

Measurement Option - Outcome

Flagler Beach

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Policy 6.6:

The conversion of Agricultural lands, located within the Planned Urban Service Area, to urban development or uses shall only be permitted when it is demonstrated that the land is needed for growth and economic development during the planning time frame and such conversion shall not contribute to leapfrog or scattered development patterns.

Typical Problems

Typical Problems in Writing Goals, Objectives and Policies  Deferral to LDRs  Self-amending Language  Use of Appropriate Language  Vague Policy Language  No Measurement Options

Example – Deferral to LDRs

Policy 2-3: The land development regulations shall include requirements for the provision of stormwater management facilities by developers sufficient to meet the level of service adopted in the Stormwater Management sub-element of this plan.

Correction

Policy 2-3: All new stormwater management facilities shall be designed and constructed to meet the level of service adopted in the Stormwater Management sub-element of this plan.

Example – Vague Policy Language Policy 4-1: Encourage development and allow growth only in physiographically suitable areas.

Correction

Policy 4-1: Urban development shall only be permitted in areas with the appropriate topography and soil conditions to support such development.

Exercise One: Write A Goal

The protection of natural resources and historic resources

Exercise Two: Write An Objective A specific, measurable, obtainable interim achievement for protection of natural or historical resources.

Exercise Three: Write A Policy

A method through which the objective may be achieved with an integrated measurement option.

A method through which the objective may be achieved. Write a separate measurement option.