More Information about 2023 South Beaches Small Area Plan
Brevard County's South Beaches are a cherished and protected coastal area that provides a peaceful escape for residents and visitors alike. The Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge, located along the national scenic byway of South A1A, is home to nesting sea turtles, gopher tortoises, native dune habitat, and rare, tropical maritime hammock. This area has been carefully planned and managed by the county to maintain its natural beauty and protect its delicate ecosystem. In 1992, Brevard County adopted the South Beaches Small Area Plan Study, which included an analysis of hurricane evacuation times. The highly detailed study estimated that "by 2005 hurricane evacuation cannot be accomplished" and concluded that "as the South Beaches continue to develop the evacuation hazards will be intensified unless alternatives are found."
The study presented three main options to address the issue of hurricane evacuation in the area: widen A1A, build another causeway, or implement land use controls to limit residential densities. The county ultimately chose to implement land use controls to limit residential densities. This is the reason the South Beaches contain primarily single-family residences and not high-density high rises like other beachside communities. This decision was also made because the area has no sewer system to accommodate high-density growth and only one lane in each direction to serve local traffic. With causeways to the mainland that are 27 miles apart, there would be no means to evacuate a high-density population in advance of a hurricane.
However, despite the county's previous decisions and efforts to protect the South Beaches, a recent development-capacity fact-finding exercise is currently taking place. The county has commissioned a Land Use Consultant to reevaluate the hurricane evacuation portion of the 1992 study to determine the effect of removing one of the policies in the comprehensive plan that limits density in the South Beaches. While the study's conclusions are not yet known, the potential removal of this policy would likely lead to an increase in residential densities. This would put the area's natural resources as well as putting residents at risk in the event of a hurricane.
It is crucial for the public to voice their concerns and protect the South Beaches from being threatened by special interests. Brevard County residents must let their commissioners know that they do not want to see changes in the zoning of the South Beaches, which could lead to the tragic loss of this peaceful and unique coastal area. While special interests may be powerful, the residents of Brevard County have the power to conserve their quality of life in a changing world by speaking up and advocating for the protection of their community.
The study presented three main options to address the issue of hurricane evacuation in the area: widen A1A, build another causeway, or implement land use controls to limit residential densities. The county ultimately chose to implement land use controls to limit residential densities. This is the reason the South Beaches contain primarily single-family residences and not high-density high rises like other beachside communities. This decision was also made because the area has no sewer system to accommodate high-density growth and only one lane in each direction to serve local traffic. With causeways to the mainland that are 27 miles apart, there would be no means to evacuate a high-density population in advance of a hurricane.
However, despite the county's previous decisions and efforts to protect the South Beaches, a recent development-capacity fact-finding exercise is currently taking place. The county has commissioned a Land Use Consultant to reevaluate the hurricane evacuation portion of the 1992 study to determine the effect of removing one of the policies in the comprehensive plan that limits density in the South Beaches. While the study's conclusions are not yet known, the potential removal of this policy would likely lead to an increase in residential densities. This would put the area's natural resources as well as putting residents at risk in the event of a hurricane.
It is crucial for the public to voice their concerns and protect the South Beaches from being threatened by special interests. Brevard County residents must let their commissioners know that they do not want to see changes in the zoning of the South Beaches, which could lead to the tragic loss of this peaceful and unique coastal area. While special interests may be powerful, the residents of Brevard County have the power to conserve their quality of life in a changing world by speaking up and advocating for the protection of their community.
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