Deland Comprehensive Plan

The City of Deland’s Comprehensive Plan makes it clear that the goals is to “insure that future development is directed in a harmonious pattern with existing development and the natural systems.” Right off the bat, Deland makes it clear that their mission is to conform to its natural surroundings, while attempting to create a harmonious relationship between the urban environment with its natural surroundings. Even more relevant is Deland’s description in the “New Community Development Designation” when it states:

The goal is to encourage innovative land use techniques, creative urban design, environmental protection, and the judicious use of sustainable development principles and practices. As such, the city will encourage new and innovative

One way to address all the overuse of natural resources and carbon emissions from cars is instituting a local energy conservation policy. This type of policy was developed by Soviet Union after the Chernobyl disaster, which was geared not only reducing the consumption of natural resources but also focusing on renewable energies, which promoted “research and development of new energy technologies--which has fostered a significant new local industry” (p. 167). In Rule 9J- 5.013 F.A.C. as New Community Development in Deland’s comprehensive plan, such a measure “seeks to preserve, enhance and conserve significant on-site ecological resources.” This could satisfy Hall’s point, although there is no call to create any new sources of energy. However, the SunRail actually reaches into Deland, thus encouraging people to take the train and use less natural resources through the use of their cars, trucks, etc. This very much satisfies Hall’s fifth point in that any viable and thriving city should provide some type of alternatives to travel within its limits, other than automobiles. This includes building a bus rapid transit system. Personal rapid transit systems, which are a cross between a bus and a tax, also may fit this requirement. As technology improves, especially through “smart-phones,” transportation providers such as Uber will also pick up some slack, in the alternative transportation requirements. However,

This is associated with using eminent domain to create regional parks, particularly with large, expansive open spaces for the public to enjoy. However, as Hall points out, incentive-based growth management strategies may be developed. The Deland comprehensive plan pays particular emphasis on open spaces all throughout the document. In particular, it reads, “Open Space areas in the community shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be internally and externally connected so that free and unencumbered movement from one section of the community to another is