One of the most important issues to be considered during the evaluation of the Sarasota City Plan is future land use. Future land use dictates how certain areas of the City and even individual properties can be developed in the future.

Generally, land is classified as either residential, commerical or mixed use. Within these three categories, properties can be described in more detail as to whether they are single family or multiple family, industrial or commerical, or highly dense downtown core properties.

The Future Land Use Map in the Sarasota City Plan has a tremendous impact on development over the next decade. Outside of the E.A.R. process, private applications to change land use classifications are taken annually and take over 18 months to process including multiple public hearings. All land use changes are monitored by the state Department of Community Affairs as a result of Florida's growth management legislation.

The currently adopted Future Land Use Map

Staff in the City Planning & Redevelopment Department will undertake a thorough review of all the future land use classifications applied to properties in the City of Sarasota as part of the E.A.R. Property owners can request that specific parcels or specific areas be reviewed in order to determine if the land use class applied in 1998 remains the most appropriate.

Map 1.5: Areas of the Future Land Use Map Subject to Analysis

Planning staff are currently reviewing a number of properties and locations in the City in order to determine if a change to the Future Land Use Classification may be appropriate. If the City Commission elects to modify land uses, NO changes will be made to the Future Land Use Map until the E.A.R.-based amendment to the Sarasota City Plan is processed in 2007.