Soon, the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners will consider the transmittal of proposed amendments to its Comprehensive (Comp) Plan that would guide future development and wildlife habitat protection in West Viera. These amendments are consistent with the community-inspired plan proposed by The Viera Company which provides a balance of sustainable development in the form of walkable mixed-use villages and the protection of 5,112-acres of wildlife habitat known as the Viera Wilderness Park. The transmittal hearing will be the culmination of months of coordination with County staff and environmental advocacy groups to review and refine certain aspects of the West Viera plan.
Transmittal of a Comp Plan Amendment is not an approval for development, but is an important step in the process that increases the scope of review by including regional and state review agencies such as the Florida Department of Community Affairs. Upon receipt of comments from these reviewing agencies, the Board of County Commissioners may schedule a hearing to consider adoption of the proposed amendments.
The Comp Plan Amendments that The Viera Company proposes will put many smart growth principles to work in West Viera, including:
- Reducing the number of homes;
- Reducing the development footprint; and
- Reducing traffic impacts.
The proposed Comp Plan Amendments are one part of the overall approval process for West Viera. The approval process for the West Viera Expansion Plan can be broken down into three tracks:
1. Comp Plan Amendment,
2. Development of Regional Impact, and
3. Planned Unit Development Zoning.
Each process has its own set of reviews and approvals. These tracks will converge at a single hearing with the Board where the approval of each will be considered.
2008 West Vera Development Review Process
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| KEY |
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| BCC |
Brevard County Board of County Commissioners |
| CPA |
Comprehensive Plan Amendment |
| DCA |
Florida Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee |
| DRI |
Development of Regional Impact |
| LPA |
Brevard County Local Planning Agency |
| ORC |
Objections, Recommendations and Comments |
| P&Z |
Brevard County Planning and Zoning |
| PUD |
Planned Unit Development Zoning |
| RPC |
East Central Florida Regional Planning Council |
| Staff |
Brevard County Staff |
Benefits of West Viera expansion
The Viera Company believes there are three significant benefits West Viera will bring to the residents of the county in a phased approach over the next 20 years – all at no cost to taxpayers:
1. Transportation Funding & Construction
- Tens of millions of dollars worth of improvements committed by The Viera Company to existing regional roadways, including Wickham Rd.
- In addition, The Viera Company will fund and construct all new roads within the planned community.
2. Environmental Protection
- Nearly half of the land within the West Viera expansion area will stay undeveloped.
- We propose reducing the potential number of homes built by 35 percent, adding to the land in conservation, open spaces and parks.
- The centerpiece of West Viera expansion is the Viera Wilderness Park which will protect both wetlands and uplands and preserve vast sections of land (located adjacent to the 44,000-acre River Lakes Conservation Area).
3. Tangible Economic Benefits
- $133.8 million in impact fees
- $91 million in property taxes annually at completion
- $3 million in document stamp and intangible tax revenue
- Millions in additional estimated sales tax revenue that can be used throughout the County for infrastructure, parks, schools, cultural facilities, and more.
- Provides new employment opportunities for all Brevard residents
The Viera Company has the opportunity to help Brevard County grow using smart growth principles. We can accomplish that with the plan for West Viera, which equally weighs environmental stewardship with the County’s need for homes and community and economic prosperity.
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