2006-2007 Annual Report - Santa Rosa County

Mission StatementThe primary missionof the communityplanning, zoning anddevelopment divisionis to protect andimprove the living andworking environmentfor the people of SantaRosa County throughthe exercise of soundland use planningand by administeringthe comprehensiveplan and the landdevelopment code.included:√√ Traffic calming for 16 neighborhoods√√ Grant applications, resulting in receipt of a $1.27 million state grant fordesign of the Woodbine Road/Five Points improvements and additional fundsfor intersection improvements on Hwy. 90 and Hwy. 98√√ Participation in a Transit Feasibility Study to determine public support andfinancial feasibility of transit service (final report expected in April 2008)√√ Participation in the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization andHighway 98 Corridor Authority planning processes• Housing assistance provided in 2007 included:√√ First time homebuyer/purchase assistance - $1.4 Million funded providingassistance to 102 families√√ Emergency Home Repair - $946,000 spent on repairs to 67 homes for lowincome families√√ Substantial Rehabilitation/Reconstruction - $2.5 Million awarded forimprovements or reconstruction on 32 extremely sub-standard homes√√ Multi-family Rental Development - $2 Million provided essential funding inconnection with the development of 226 low income rental units√√ Habitat Homes New Construction - $855,000 awarded to assist with theconstruction of 28 homes• Utilizing resident input through public meetings and surveys, Santa RosaCounty initialized its first ever recreation master plan. The District 5 RecreationMaster Plan will include the communities of Gulf Breeze, Tiger Point andMidway and will provide a framework for decisions for recreational areas in thefuture.• The Santa Rosa County Rural Development Plan was approved by theBoard of County Commissioners in January 2007. Recommendations includedin the plan will enable development to occur in a manner that will protect therural character and agricultural viability of northern Santa Rosa County.• Continued working with the Bagdad Waterfronts Partnership to implement theBagdad Vision Plan.• The division completed an Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) of thecounty’s comprehensive plan as required by theState every seven years. The 2007 EAR foundthat the county is on-track with regard toaddressing growth management issues andproposed recommendations for ensuringthat the Comprehensive Plan is alignedto meet future growth needs.aCommitmentsUnderstanding and serving thepublic interest.Public Services DepartmentProviding world-class customer service.20