New Subdivision Design Standards

Santa Rosa County, in a collaborative effort between the Engineering Department, the Division of Community Planning, Zoning, and Development and a volunteer Subdivision Design Workgroup consisting of local design professionals, contractors and developers, has developed new design standards for subdivision development in the County. These standards establish design criteria for new subdivisions in order to help curb speeding and high traffic volume problems which have become a common complaint for citizens of the County. Below is an overview of the changes:

• A road hierarchy based on traffic volumes is established. Using this road hierarchy, the appropriate road types for a new subdivision will be determined by the projected traffic volumes on the proposed roads.
• Sidewalks and bike lanes will be required along certain roadway classifications and within 1/4 mile of an existing or planned school site.
• Traffic calming elements will be required in the design of proposed subdivision streets in certain circumstances.
• The minimum two-way road width has been increased by 2 feet (to 24 feet, excluding curbing) to better accommodate on-street parking.
• To encourage better design, the minimum lot size requirement for new platted subdivisions in R-1 and higher density zoning districts has been eliminated.
• A Subdivision Street Design Manual has been created in order to provide an easy reference for design professionals.

Through the Workgroup process, the County was able to develop effective, clear and meaningful regulation that was guided and embraced by the development community. This process was a testament to the value and effectiveness of collaboration with the community in the development or modification of regulations.

Information Links

• Outline of Adopted Changes
• Adopted Amendment
• Santa Rosa County Subdivision Roadway Design Manual
• PowerPoint Presentation for the September/October 2008 Local Planning Board (LPB) and Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meetings

Public Input

• Board of County Commissioners (Authorization) – October 25, 2007
• Subdivision Design Standards Public Workshops
  
  November 13, 2007 – Kickoff Meeting
  November 27, 2007
  January 10, 2008
  February 7, 2008
  May 27, 2008

• Local Planning Board Presentation – September 11, 2008 & October 9, 2008
• Board of County Commissioners (Adoption) – October 23, 2008

Contact E-Mail: SubdivisionDesignGroup