The City of Palm Coast is proud to announce the nearing completion of its “Imagine 2050” Comprehensive Plan Update, a transformative initiative that has engaged approximately 87,000 residents, visitors, and businesses over the past eleven months. This extensive public engagement effort has shaped a visionary plan that reflects the community’s aspirations and addresses significant changes in conditions since the adoption of the original plan in 2004.
Imagine 2050 serves as the strategic roadmap for the future of Palm Coast, guiding how the city will evolve over the coming decades. This comprehensive plan outlines the collective vision for what Palm Coast should look like in the year 2050 and the steps needed to achieve that vision.
Throughout the past year, the City of Palm Coast, in collaboration with its consultant JB Pro Inc., has worked closely with the community to develop long-range policy direction to guide various aspects of the City’s development over the next 25 years. The transmittal hearing is scheduled to take place during the City Council Business Meeting on August 27, 2024 at 9 a.m.
The Imagine 2050 initiative was guided by twelve “Guiding Principles,” each developed through extensive community feedback to ensure alignment with the vision of Palm Coast’s residents. The City Council, Planning and Land Development Regulation Board (PLDRB), Beautification Environmental Advisory Committee (BEAC), and the public at large provided invaluable input that has been thoughtfully incorporated into the final plan.
Throughout the process, residents voiced their opinions on various elements of the plan, resulting in several significant updates. While it’s not possible to cover all the community-driven elements of this initiative, a few key examples are highlighted below.
- Future Land Use: Community feedback emphasized the need for clarity regarding development requirements on annexed lands. As a result, a new policy now mandates that developers adhere to the City’s Concurrency Management System for annexed lands.
- Transportation: Residents expressed concerns about noise impacts near airports and rail lines, as well as the safe use of motorized bikes on sidewalks. The updated plan now includes new policies addressing these issues, including noise abatement measures and safety guidelines for e-bikes and micro-mobility vehicles.
- Housing: The public requested the integration of solar power opportunities into building standards. The plan now includes a policy promoting solar energy in new and existing developments, supported by incentives and streamlined regulations.
- Recreation and Open Space: To better plan for future park development, the plan introduces a policy to study the capacity of existing parks. Additionally, amendments have been made to encourage sports tourism and the expansion of cultural and historical tourism opportunities.
- Infrastructure, and Conservation and Coastal Management: Feedback led to policies that promote sustainable infrastructure, such as the requirement for future reuse lines in new developments, and emphasized the importance of tree protection for maintaining Palm Coast’s quality of life.
- Economic Development: The final plan now includes a policy to advance technology development within the workforce, ensuring that Palm Coast remains competitive in targeted industries.
The Imagine 2050 process has been a collaborative effort between the City Council, staff, consultants, and the community, reflecting Palm Coast’s commitment to transparency and responsiveness. By incorporating public feedback into the Imagine 2050 Comprehensive Plan, the City has ensured that the final document is not just a regulatory framework but a shared vision for the future.
As the City of Palm Coast prepares to finalize and adopt the Imagine 2050 Comprehensive Plan, residents can rest assured that their voices have played a crucial role in shaping the future of their community. The City will continue to engage with residents as it moves toward implementing the policies and actions outlined in the plan, ensuring a vibrant and balanced future for all.