(a)

It is the purpose of this UDC to establish the standards, regulations and procedures for review and approval of all proposed development of property under the jurisdiction of this UDC, and to provide a development review process that will be comprehensive, consistent, and efficient. The provisions of this Code are further established to protect and promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Sarasota County, and to regulate orderly and healthy development of the County. Staff shall regularly review the provisions of the UDC to ensure its compatibility with the Comprehensive Plan and current Building Codes and ordinances. More specifically, this UDC provides for the division of land into different districts that, in combination with the regulations pertaining to such districts, are designed in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan.

(b)

It is the policy of the Board of County Commissioners that the subdivision or development of land in the County shall be appropriately regulated and shall proceed in a safe, orderly, efficient, economical and environmentally sound manner.

(c)

Land shall not be subdivided or developed until provisions have been made to provide for public facilities and improvements in accordance with these regulations.

(d)

Unless adequate methods of correction are formulated and approved, land which is determined to be unsuitable for development due to poor soil conditions, flooding, unsatisfactory drainage or other characteristics likely to adversely affect the health, safety and general welfare of residents of the County shall not be developed.

(e)

Housing projects, which meet the Affordable Housing criteria established for Sarasota County, shall be given first priority, over Nonaffordable Housing projects, for review by the County.

(a)

In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this UDC shall be held to be minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of public health, safety, morals and general welfare, protection of natural resources, and the following:

(1)

To implement the Comprehensive Plan and all applicable ordinances;

(2)

To guide new growth and development of the County in an environmentally sound manner, in accordance with the policies of the Comprehensive Plan and the availability of adequate facilities and services;

(3)

To regulate the subdivision and development of land within the County;

(4)

To establish development standards and use regulations for County;

(5)

To protect the character and the established pattern of development in each area by addressing compatibility;

(6)

To prevent or minimize land use incompatibilities and conflicts among different land uses;

(7)

To establish processes that effectively and fairly apply the requirements and standards of this UDC that respects the rights of property owners and the interests of the citizens of the County;

(8)

To promote the beneficial and appropriate development of all land and the most consistent use of land in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan;

(9)

To stabilize expectations and encourage predictability in development;

(10)

To encourage the most efficient use of land through site and context sensitive design;

(11)

To reduce potential hazards to the public that may result from hazardous or incompatible land uses, or from the development of environmentally sensitive lands;

(12)

To ensure the protection of persons and property in floodways and floodplains;

(13)

To protect and enhance the County's environmental, recreational, cultural, historical, natural, and scenic resources;

(14)

To ensure safe and efficient traffic circulation, both motorized and non-motorized vehicular and pedestrian, and the minimization of traffic impact on the surrounding area;

(15)

To promote a mix of housing types available for all County residents; and

(16)

To promote the economic stability of the community, and maintain and improve the quality of life for all residents.

(b)

Minimum Requirements. No development shall be approved unless the following conditions are reasonably achieved and made available pursuant to the concurrency requirements herein specified:

(1)

Adequate and efficient supply of utility services to new development.

(2)

Development-related traffic hazards or congestion are not created or existing conditions exacerbated which could result from narrow or poorly aligned streets and excessive exit and entrance points along existing or proposed roadways.

(3)

Safe and efficient traffic circulation, both motorized and non-motorized vehicular and pedestrian, and the minimization of traffic impact on the surrounding area.

(4)

Reasonable access to housing and basic services to promote Sarasota County's economy.

(5)

Protection of public health, safety and general welfare including protection from fire, flooding, and other dangers.

(6)

Prevention of potential hazards to health, safety and general welfare of the residents of Sarasota County, especially in those developments served by the individual water supply and waste disposal systems.

(7)

Adequate stormwater management so there will be no adverse impacts on the quality of natural surface waters, on the function of the floodplains, on off-site flood stages, and on natural system values and functions.

(8)

Provision of active and passive public park and recreation areas that are readily accessible to residents and visitors and that adequately meet identified recreation needs.

(9)

Protection of the County's natural and scenic resources, including the quality of air and both surface and ground waters and the preservation of their ecological integrity.

(a)

All development of land under the jurisdiction of this UDC shall be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and applicable ordinances.

(b)

Development or redevelopment of all land shall be deemed consistent with the Comprehensive Plan only if the land uses, densities or intensities, capacity or size, timing and other aspects of the development proposed for, or allowed on the property furthers the goals, objectives, policies, and principles of the Comprehensive Plan.