The Santa Rosa County Rural Development Plan, approved in January 2007, is designed to protect the rural character, agricultural viability, and natural resources of Northern Santa Rosa County. The project was kicked off with three public workshops in the north, more rural end of the County during the summer of 2004 at which participants were asked to provide input on future development of the area. Subsequent plan development and refinement included a total of nine public workshops and two focus group meetings.

Key recommendations of the Rural Development Plan include:

1. Creation of a Rural Protection Zone (RPZ) within which the creation of new communities will be allowed, but urban sprawl will be avoided and development performance standards will be revised to better reflect the rural character of the area;
2. Creation of a Transition Zone adjacent to the RPZ within which rezonings will be allowed to facilitate a smooth transition from the urbanized areas to the rural areas;
3. Creation of three new zoning districts for the RPZ:

a.  Rural Activity Centers (commercial)     

b.  Crossroad Communities (residential)     

c.  Agricultural Estate (agricultural/rural residential);

4. Creation of a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program;
5. Establishment of buffer requirements between new residential subdivisions & agricultural uses;
6. Adoption of a Right-to-Farm Ordinance;
7. Establishment of riparian buffer requirements; and
8. Use of agricultural and conservation easements to protect agricultural viability and rural character.

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