Lake Protection Sustainable Growth Initiative

About the Program

Category: Planning (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

In November 2013, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners directed staff to explore options to revise the County’s land use policies to provide for greater protection of local freshwater bodies. Of particular importance to the Commission was the protection of Lake Jackson, the County’s largest freshwater body. Lake Jackson is a designated Outstanding Florida Water as well as a state Aquatic Preserve. Using Smart Growth principles as a framework to effectuate positive development patterns, Leon County made comprehensive revisions to its land use policies to promote sustainable growth within an environmentally sensitive area. As a result, Leon County successfully implemented a revised growth strategy that allows for a mix of land uses to create a more vibrant, diverse, and walkable community while encouraging sustainable development patterns and enhancing the protection of the Lake Jackson ecosystem.