The County recommended changes to the current Comprehensive Plan based on an evaluation of each element that make up the Plan, and an evaluation of how the current Plan addresses nine major issues. The evaluation document is called the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR).

The comprehensive plan updated through Destination 2030 will include the recommended changes identified in the EAR. The Plan will also be updated based on current data, projections, and public input.

2009-1 Regular Cycle EAR Based Amendments DCA Adoption Staff Report 05-19-2009 (PDF - 1.5 MB)

Adopted Changes to the Elements of the Comprehensive Plan

Future Land Use Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 2.4 MB)
Future Land Use Element Appendices Updated June 2009 (PDF - 1.4 MB)
Stormwater Management Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 1 MB)
Solid Waste Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 967 KB)
Recreation Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 2 MB)
Potable Water, Wastewater, & Reclaimed Water Updated June 2009   (PDF - 1.4 MB)
Open Space Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 739 KB)
Neighborhood Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 950 KB)
Intergovernmental Coordination Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 1.2 MB)
Housing Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 2 MB)
Fire Rescue Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 553 MB)
Economic Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 988 KB)
Conservation Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 770 KB)
Aquifer Recharge Element Updated June 2009 (PDF - 1.6 MB)
Capital Improvements Element Policy Addition Updated June 2009 (PDF - 271 KB)
Transportation Element (Part 1) Updated June 2009 (PDF - 5.7 MB)
Transportation Element (Part 2) Updated June 2009 (PDF - 3.3 MB)
Transportation Element (Part 3) Updated June 2009 (PDF - 3.2 MB)
Transportation Element (Part 4) Updated June 2009 (PDF - 3.7 MB)
Transportation Element (Part 5) Updated June 2009 (PDF - 3.6 MB)
Transportation Element (Part 6) Updated June 2009 (PDF - 5.7 MB)
Transportation Element (Part 7) Updated June 2009 (PDF - 4.5 MB)
Transportation Element (Part 8) Updated June 2009 (PDF - 4.8 MB)
Transportation Element Goals, Objectives, & Polices Updated June 2009   (PDF - 283 KB)

The Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) reviews comprehensive plans and amendments for consistency with chapter 163, Part II, Florida Statutes (F.S.), the Growth Management Act, and issues reports on its findings.  On January 16, 2009, the Department of Community Affairs issued Objections, Recommendations and Comments (ORC) Report Orange County 09-1ER (PDF - 129 KB) for the EAR Based Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan.  On August 10, 2009, the Department of Community Affairs issued the Notice of Intent (PDF - 1.5 MB) for the EAR Based Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan finding them IN COMPLIANCE.

Plan Update Schedule (Subject to revision)

2007
July-August: Summer Workshop Series
September: Receive Draft Element Updates from Departments/Divisions
October-December: Refine Draft Element Updates

2008
February: Winter Workshop Series
June - August: Local Planning Agency (LPA) & Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Workshops
September 18 (Continued to September 25, 2008) : LPA Transmittal Public Hearing
October 28:  BCC Transmital Public Hearing

2009
January: Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Objections, Recommendation, & Comments (ORC) Report
March 19: LPA Adoption Public Hearing (presented and discussed but continued to next LPA - April 16, 2009)
April 14: BCC Adoption Public Hearing (cancelled due to LPA continuance)
April 16: LPA Adoption Public Hearing
May 19: BCC Adoption Public Hearing
Late July: DCA Notice of Intent (NOI) 
August: Effective Date

Our Summer Workshop Series included 7 community meetings between July 25, 2007, and November 1, 2007 (PDF - 285 KB). Please view the workshop results below:

Workshop 1 Results (PDF - 17 KB)
Workshop 2 Results (PDF - 22 KB)
Workshop 3 Results (PDF - 18 KB)
Workshop 4 Results (PDF - 18 KB)
Workshop 5 Results (PDF - 18 KB)
Workshop 6 Results (PDF - 18 KB)
Workshop 7 Results (PDF - 17 KB)

1. What is Comprehensive Planning?
2. Why is good planning important?
3. How has Orange County done Comprehensive Planning so far?
4. Why is Orange County updating the Comprehensive Plan?
5. What can you tell me about Orange County's current Comprehensive Plan?
6. What kind of information is the Comprehensive Plan based upon?
7. What are some ways Orange County could develop over the next 20 years?
8. What issues does the Comprehensive Plan address?
9. Can you give me some facts and figures about current conditions Orange County and what they could be like in the year 2030?

• Destination 2030 Summer Workshop Presentation (PDF - 3.9 MB)
• Orange County Comprehensive Plan Update (EAR-Based Amendments) - Board of County Commissioners Discussion Item (PDF - 1.95 MB)
• Destination 2030 Winter Workshop Presentation (PDF - 4 MB)
• Destination 2030 Board of County Commissioners Transmittal Public Hearing Presentation - October 28, 2008 (PDF - 8 MB)

• Fill out a Comment Form
  
• E-mail the Planning Division
  

1. Q: What is Comprehensive Planning?
A: Comprehensive Planning can be defined as "a long range course of action for guiding orderly growth and development."

2. Q: Why is good planning important?
A: Good planning is important because the Comprehensive Plan is a 20+ year tool that allows Orange County to guide growth and development. Without good planning, there would not be sound guidelines in place allowing growth to be shaped by adequate facilities and services.

3. Q: How has Orange County done Comprehensive Planning so far?
A: Comprehensive planning in Orange County has been performed under the guidelines of the Comprehensive Policy Plan, which was established in 1991 and has been updated once in 1998 through a vehicle known as "the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR)-based amendments to the Comprehensive Plan." The County is currently in the process of updating the plan to extend to the year 2030.

4. Q: Why is Orange County updating the Comprehensive Plan?
A: Orange County is updating the Comprehensive Plan in accordance with Rule 9J-5. The current Comprehensive Plan covers years 2000-2020.

5. Q: What can you tell me about Orange County's current comprehensive Plan?
A: Orange County's Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the Board of County Commission on July 1, 1991, and has been amended through November 29, 2005. It currently covers the planning period of 2000-2020.

6. Q: What kind of information is the Comprehensive Plan based upon?
A: Rule 9J-5 sets the framework for the required elements of the Comprehensive Plan; however there are many optional elements. The Orange County Comprehensive Policy Plan currently includes 19 elements as follows:

• Future Land Use
• Housing
• Transportation
• Fire Rescue
• Wastewater
• Intergovernmental Coordination
• Potable Water
• Capital Improvements
• Stormwater Management
• International Drive Activity Center
• Solid Waste
• Public Schools
• Conservation
• Neighborhood
• Aquifer Recharge
• Urban Design
• Recreation
• Economic
• Open Space

For each element there is a set of Data and Analysis which sets the framework. To enforce and carry out the information included in the Data and Analysis, there is a separate set of Goals, Objectives and Policies for each element which establishes measurable targets.

7. Q: What are some ways Orange County could develop over the next 20 years?
A: Orange County is challenged with pressure of expanding the Urban Service Area (USA) boundary further eastward past the Econ River. Because this has been a historical dividing line between the urban and rural area, the County is discouraging this expansion. However, to accommodate the growth that is projected to occur, the County must decide if it should move out and expand the USA, or if it should increase/promote a higher floor area ratio (FAR) and increased densities to expand vertically. Ultimately, it is the County's responsibility to promote sound growth and development. The public can play a role in this by helping shape the future of Orange County through involvement in any of the public workshops that will be held within the community or public hearings with the Board of County Commissioners. Check the "Destination 2030" site for upcoming workshops so your voice can be heard!

8. Q: What issues does the Comprehensive Plan address?
A: Issues addressed in the comprehensive plan range from compatibility of uses (i.e., residential and commercial) to how many acres of park land is required based on the population. It promotes intergovernmental coordination among the 13 municipalities and sets the framework for the next 20+ years. The plan includes a Future Land Use Map that shows the location of generalized land uses, such as residential, commercial, and industrial.

9. Q: Can you give me some facts and figures about current conditions Orange County and what they could be like in the year 2030?
A: As of April, 2006, the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) at the University of Florida estimated the total population of Orange County to be 1,079,524. Of that estimate, the unincorporated population totals 697,666 or 65% of the total population. It is projected that by the year 2030, the total population of Orange County will reach 1,797,582.