Konsèy Planifikasyon Rejyonal Florid Santral la ap travay ak Konte Highlands, patnè kominotè yo, ak moun ki gen enterè yo pou mete ajou Plan Konpreyansyon Konte Highlands la atravè Rapò Evalyasyon ak Evalyasyon (EAR).
Highlands 2050
Picture it. Plan it. Create it.
The Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint for current and future development in Highlands County. The Plan’s goals, objectives and policies reflect the County’s vision for its future, and for how it will meet the needs of existing and future residents, visitors and businesses.
Virtual Stakeholder Review Meetings
Join us the forth Wednesday of the month from 10:30 AM to Noon to review the draft amendments
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May 28, 2025
- June 4, 2025
- June 25, 2025
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July 23, 2025
Workshop Schedule
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May 13, 2025 | Planning & Zoning Commission
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Housing, Intergovernmental Coordination, & Future Land Use
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June 17, 2025 | Board of County Commissioners
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Housing, Intergovernmental Coordination, & Future Land Use
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June 10, 2025 | Planning & Zoning Commission
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Infrastructure, Transportation, Economic Development, Natural Resources, & Property Rights Element
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July 1, 2025 | Board of County Commissioners
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Infrastructure, Transportation, Economic Development, Natural Resources, & Property Rights Element
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July 8, 2025 | Planning & Zoning Commission
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Recreation and Open Space, Capital Improvements, & Public School Facilities
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August 5, 2025 | Board of County Commissioners
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Recreation and Open Space, Capital Improvements, & Public School Facilities
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Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR)
The County’s Comprehensive Plan provides a framework for managing the growth and development of the county. At least once every 7 years, each local government must evaluate its comprehensive plan to determine if plan amendments are necessary to reflect changes in State Statutes and submit an Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) letter and signed affidavit notifying Florida Commerce as to its determination.
The proposed amendments to the Plan are based on a review of changes in Florida Statutes since the last time the Plan was updated and a review of the Comprehensive Plan against existing conditions, requirements of the Land Development Regulations, and input from the community. The County’s current Plan respects a 2030 Planning Horizon. The proposed Plan will be updated to the 2050 Planning Horizon consistent with Section 163.3177, Florida Statutes.
Part 1 (Summer 2025): Minor updates and Amendments for compliance with Florida Statutes.
The EAR provides the opportunity to take a holistic look at how well the Plan is working, and how it might be refined to address community-specific issues and challenges.
Part 2 (Fall, Winter 2025): Amendments based on community vision and growth and development trends.
Following the submittal of the EAR, the County will revise the current Comprehensive Plan by adopting the appropriate amendments.
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Draft Amendments & Supporting Data
Each section includes goal, objective, and policy statements to help local leaders make decisions about that topic.
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A goal is a broad statement describing what the County wants to achieve.
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An objective describes clear, measurable steps toward reaching that goal.
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Policies are the specific actions the County will take to meet the objective and achieve the goal.
These goal, objective, and policy statements follow the rules in Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes and align with the other parts of the Comprehensive Plan.
In the Draft Amendments below the text that is underlined is text to be added, and text that is shown as strikeout is to be removed. To learn more about each section, select a section below.
Future Land Use
Highlands County’s future land use plan offers a big-picture roadmap for how the county expects to grow and evolve. It pinpoints where residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, industrial parks, farms, recreational areas, conservation zones, schools, public facilities, and other land uses will go—and how much space each will need. For every category, the plan lays out approximate acreage and gives a general sense of the expected density or intensity of use.
As Highlands County’s guiding vision, this element sets the long-term direction for all land-use programs and activities, ensuring every zoning decision and development project moves the county toward its overall goals.
Proposed Amendments
Summary of Changes
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Introduction: Added Introduction to cite the Future Land Use Element Requirements
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GOAL: Greenhouse gas reduction strategies are no longer required in Florida Statutes. The planning period has been updated.
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Objective 1: The planning period has been updated.
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Policy 1.2.D: Added to list the Future Land Use classifications.
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Policy 1.2.E: Future Land Uses that address Accessory Uses: The detail of accessory uses is addressed in the County’s Land Development Regulations and is not necessary here.
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Policy 1.2.E.6: The Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program has been replaced by Florida Forever program.
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Policy 1.2.E.7.e.: Commercial Future Land Use: The requirements for assisted living facilities are provided in the County’s Land Development Regulations.
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Policy 1.2.E.15: The Overlay District should not be listed as a Future Land Use category. It is an overlay. No land has been assigned this land use. The land use is being removed.
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Policy 1.6: Right to Farm Act: Policy amended for clarification.
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Policy 5.2: Concurrency Clearance Procedure: Policy removed as this is addressed in the Land Development Regulations.
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Policy 10.6: Policy removed as Telecommunication Towers are addressed in the County’s Land Development Regulations.
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Policy 13.2.2: Highway Park – Findings of Existing Conditions: This section is being updated and relocated to the Technical Support Document. This is data and not policy.
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Objective 15: Site Specific Developments: This objective and subsequent policies are being relocated to a new Appendix A of the Future Land Use Element. This policies will be removed from the Plan at time of applicant-initiated development and amendments.
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Throughout: Language in Future Land Use categories has been updated from “churches” to “places of worship” consistent with the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
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Throughout: References to the Florida Department of Commerce have been added.
Natural Resources
The purpose of the Natural Resources Element is to provide a guide for the conservation, use,
and protection of natural resources in the County. Pursuant to Section 163.3177(6)(d) F.S., the
following represents the natural resource and conservation goals, objectives, and policies of the
County.
Proposed Amendments
Summary of Changes
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Introduction Added Introduction to cite the Natural Resource Element Requirements.
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Goal: Goal updated to continue the policy through the 2050 Planning Horizon.
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Policy 3.3: For Discussion: Much of the information above is located in the County’s Code of Ordinances in Division 6 – Environmental Clearance, and 12.12.600
and additional regulations. Consider removing from the Comprehensive Plan as this is detail administered in the Code of Ordinances. -
Policy 3.4: High Ecological Value Map and a Voluntary Incentive Based Program: This program did not move forward and no longer exists.
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Policy 3.5: For Discussion: Natural Resource Mitigation Fee for Exempt Lots: Much of the information above is located in the County’s Code of Ordinances in Division 6 – Environmental Clearance, and 12.12.600 and additional
Housing Element
The Housing Element is designed to help make sure that people of all income levels will have access to housing in the future. It sets policies that support a variety of housing types throughout the County. Making sure there are enough safe and good-quality homes is one of the most important ways a local government can protect the health, safety, and well-being of its residents.
Proposed Amendments
Summary of Changes
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Introduction: Added Introduction to cite Housing Element Requirements
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Removed Planning Timeframe as this is an ongoing goal.
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Policy 1.1.G.: Added to comply with Florida Statutes 163.31771 addressing accessory dwelling units.
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Policy 2.5: Updated reference to the Local Housing Assistance Plan.
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Policy 2.7: New Policy to address infrastructure improvements in residential neighborhoods with concentrations of substandard housing to encourage infill and private investment.
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Policy 3.3: Policy deleted because the County utilizes the Florida Building Code.
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OBJECTIVE 10: Policy updated. Greenhouse gas reduction no longer required by Florida Statutes. Outdated references deleted.
Infrastructure Element
Pursuant to Section 163.3177(6)(c), F.S., the following represents the Sanitary Sewer, Solid
Waste, Drainage, Potable Water, and Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge Goals, Objectives
and Policies of Highlands County, Florida. All goals, objectives, and policies contained herein shall be adopted by ordinance.
Proposed Amendments
Summary of Changes
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Introduction: Added Introduction to cite the Infrastructure Element Requirements.
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Goal: Goal updated to continue the policy through the 2050 Planning Horizon.
Transportation Element
Pursuant to Section 163.3177(6), F.S., the following represents the Transportation Goals,
Objectives and Policies of Highlands County. These goals, objectives, and policies are intended to
address the establishment of the long-term vision toward which transportation programs and
activities are ultimately directed in the community.
Proposed Amendments
Summary of Changes
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Introduction Language added consistent to set up of other Elements. The intent is sources from Florida Statutes 163.3177(6).
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Policy 1.1.A. Reference updated to the Highlands Transit Development Plan.
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Policy 1.1.F. Updated text for greater clarification regarding non-motorized roadway users.
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Policy 1.3.D. Policy amended for great clarification regarding mobility vehicles.
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Policy 1.3.F. Policy added to address the new Collier to Polk Regional Trail.
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Policy 2.5 Reference updated to the Highlands Transit Development Plan.
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Policy 4.1 Updated policy to reference the Commission on the Transportation Disadvantaged, the designated Community Transportation Coordinator as
well as reference to the CFRPC. -
Policy 7.6 Added reference to local roads for sidewalk connections between neighborhoods.
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Policy 12.3 Updated policy to reflect implementation of the Trails Map and Plan that was adopted in 2014.
Intergovernmental Coordination
Because the County can’t meet every community need on its own, strong partnerships with local and state governments and other agencies are vital. The Intergovernmental Coordination Element lays out the principles and guidelines that will guide our collaboration with these entities.
Proposed Amendments
Summary of Changes
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Introduction: Added Introduction to cite the Intergovernmental Coordination Element Requirements.
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GOAL: Removed Planning Timeframe as this is an ongoing goal.
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Policy 1.1: Provided clarification to the reference of the US Department of Defense related to the Avon Park Air Force Range.
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Policy 1.8: Added policy to address coordination of the Local Hazard Mitigation Working Group.
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Policy 4.8: Removed policy. The policy is out of date. Developments of Regional Impact are now facilitated through the Coordinated Comprehensive Plan Amendment Review process.
Economic Development Element
Because the County can’t meet every community need on its own, strong partnerships with local and state governments and other agencies are vital. The Intergovernmental Coordination Element lays out the principles and guidelines that will guide our collaboration with these entities.
Proposed Amendments
Summary of Changes
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Goal: Goal updated to continue the policy through the 2050 Planning Horizon.
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Minor amendments throughout.
School Facilities Element
Pursuant to Section 163.3177, Comprehensive Plans may include optional Elements. Highlands County is a party to the interlocal agreement related to Highlands County Schools with the School Board of Highlands County, and the municipalities in Highlands County. This Element is a result of that interlocal agreement. The following represents the Public Schools Facilities Goals, Objectives, and Policies of Highlands County.
Proposed Amendments
Summary of Changes
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GOAL: The planning period has been updated to the year 2050.
Recreation and Open Spaces Element
Pursuant to Section 163.3177(6)(e), F.S. the following represents the Recreation and Open Space Goals, Objectives, and Policies of Highlands County. These Goals, Objectives, and Policies are intended to address the establishment of a long-range vision towards which the Recreation and Open Space programs and activities of the community are ultimately directed. All Goals, Objectives, and Policies are adopted by ordinance.
Proposed Amendments
Summary of Changes
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GOAL: The planning period has been updated to the year 2050.
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Policy 1.4: Letter D added to address the new Collier to Polk Regional Trail.
Property Rights
The goal of this element is to provide a framework for ensuring that private property rights are considered in local decision making.
Proposed Amendments
Summary of Changes
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Introduction: Added Introduction to cite Property Rights Element Requirements consistent with Section 163.3161(10), Florida Statutes.
Capital Improvement Element
These goals, objectives and policies are intended to establish the long-term vision for the timely and efficient provision of public facilities through the use of sound fiscal policies.
Proposed Amendments Summary of Changes
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Introduction Added Introduction to cite the Capital Improvements Element Requirements
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GOAL: The planning period has been updated to the year 2050.