Comprehensive Plan

View Comprehensive Plan

• Comprehensive Plan - Municode

FLU Map and Overlays

• Future Land Use map
• Florida International Gateway (FIG)
• Urban Core - USA - SWTIF - Corridors

Future Land Use Map Series

Future Land Use Map Series

• Map A - Wetlands Areas (Conservation)
• Map B - General Soils Map (Conservation)
• Map C - Potable Water Well Sites - Wellheads (Water Supply)
• Map D - Regional Spoil Disposal Site
• Map E - Coastal High Hazard Area - (Coastal)
• Map F - Coastal Evacuation Area - (Coastal)
• Map G - UIRA - Urban Infill
• Map H - Urban Core
• Map I - TCEA (14th St W)
• Map J - TCEA (South County)
• Map K - Urban Service Area

Comprehensive Plan Maps (Element Name in Parentheses)

• Airport Noise Contour 1998 (Aviation)
• Antenna Tower Locations (Aviation)
• Beneficial Reuse Area of Evers Reservoir Watershed (Conservation)
• Character Vision Graphic (Land Use Operative Provisions) 
• Coastal Planning Area - (Coastal) 
• Future Aviation Facilities - Map 5M (Aviation)
• Potable Water / Wastewater Service Areas (Water & Wastewater)

Future Thoroughfare Map 5 Series (Effective Date - 2/25/22):

1. Existing Roadways Functional Classification - 5A
2. Future Traffic Circulation Functional Classification - 5B
3. Future Traffic Circulation Right of Way Protection and Reservation - 5C
4. Future Traffic Circulation Number of Lanes - 5D
5. Future Traffic Circulation: Designated Controlled Access Facilities - 5E
6. Future Traffic Circulation: Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) and Emerging Strategic Intermodal System - 5F

• Table 5-1

Why Manatee County has a Comprehensive Plan

In 1985, Florida was faced with a cultural and legal change of significant proportions. The Florida Legislature revised the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Development Regulation Act (Chapter 163, Part II, Florida Statutes). All local governments, regardless of size, location or current growth pressures were required to develop and implement a comprehensive plan upon which future land use decisions would be based. The Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) had the responsibility to ensure that all of these plans met the basic requirements of the law.

Manatee County adopted its Comprehensive Plan on May 11, 1989 (Ordinance 89-01) which became effective on May 15, 1989. A major revision was adopted on December 16, 1997, renaming it the 2020 Manatee County Comprehensive Plan (Ordinances 97-02 thru 97-06), which became effective on March 9, 1998. Through our Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) process, per PA-06-13/ORD-06-13, the Comprehensive Plan was renamed to the "Manatee County Comprehensive Plan". Numerous amendments have occurred since the effective date, including text, small- and large-scale Future Land Use Map Amendments.

The Comprehensive Plan for Unincorporated Manatee County, though developed in response to the state law, is based on and responds to the unique past, present, and preferred future characteristics of the unincorporated area of Manatee County, and of adjacent local governments.

Other than the purposes expressly defined in Chapter 163, F.S., this Comprehensive Plan has other specific targeted functions, as enumerated in the goals of the various plan elements.

These goals are developed to:

• Improve the physical environment of the community as a setting for human and natural resource activities;
• Protect the public health, safety, and welfare;
• Ensure that long-range considerations are included in the determination of short-range actions;
• Provide for fair and equitable consideration of private property rights while ensuring appropriate protection of the (more broadly-defined) public interest as determined by the Board of County Commissioners of Manatee County;
• Effect political cooperation and technical coordination by bringing professional and technical knowledge to bear on governmental decisions concerning the physical development of the community; and
• To promote a healthy, stable, and vigorous local economy which can satisfy the goods and service needs of the local community, can provide opportunities for economic activity exporting goods and services outside Manatee County, and offer the community an ample range of employment opportunities.