Regional Planning Councils
Encyclopedia
Regional Planning Councils (RPCs) are quasi-governmental organizations that are designated by Florida
law (Ch. 186, Florida Statutes) to address problems and plan
solutions that are of greater-than-local concern or scope, and are to be recognized by local
governments as one of the means to provide input into state policy development. With regard to
transportation-related issues, RPCs are empowered to provide technical assistance to local
governments on growth management
matters; coordinate land development and transportation
policies in a manner that fosters region-wide transportation systems; review local government
comprehensive plan amendments, evaluation/appraisal reports, and Developments of Regional
Impacts for consistency with state and regional plans; and, review the plans of independent
transportation authorities and metropolitan planning organization
s to identify inconsistencies
between those plans and applicable local government plans.
the Strategic Regional Policy Plan (SRPP). The SRPP identifies key regional resources and
facilities, examines current and forecast conditions and trends (including expected growth
patterns), and establishes regional goals and policies that guide a program of actions to address
identified problems and needs. An example of strategic subject areas that a SRPP may address includes affordable housing
, economic development
, emergency preparedness, natural resources
and regional transportation.
RPCs may also be involved in a variety of other programs other than growth management, such as emergency preparedness programs planning, GIS services, statistical analysis, small business development and public health
projects.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
law (Ch. 186, Florida Statutes) to address problems and plan
solutions that are of greater-than-local concern or scope, and are to be recognized by local
governments as one of the means to provide input into state policy development. With regard to
transportation-related issues, RPCs are empowered to provide technical assistance to local
governments on growth management
Growth management
Growth management is a set of techniques used by government to ensure that as the population grows that there are services available to meet their demands. These are not necessarily only government services...
matters; coordinate land development and transportation
policies in a manner that fosters region-wide transportation systems; review local government
comprehensive plan amendments, evaluation/appraisal reports, and Developments of Regional
Impacts for consistency with state and regional plans; and, review the plans of independent
transportation authorities and metropolitan planning organization
Metropolitan planning organization
A metropolitan planning organization is a federally-mandated and federally-funded transportation policy-making organization in the United States that is made up of representatives from local government and governmental transportation authorities...
s to identify inconsistencies
between those plans and applicable local government plans.
RPC Products
In addition to various studies of the resources of the region, the principal product of each RPC isthe Strategic Regional Policy Plan (SRPP). The SRPP identifies key regional resources and
facilities, examines current and forecast conditions and trends (including expected growth
patterns), and establishes regional goals and policies that guide a program of actions to address
identified problems and needs. An example of strategic subject areas that a SRPP may address includes affordable housing
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed "affordable" to those that have a median income. Although the term is often applied to rental housing that is within the financial means of those in the lower income ranges of a geographical area, the...
, economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
, emergency preparedness, natural resources
Natural Resources
Natural Resources is a soul album released by Motown girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in 1970 on the Gordy label. The album is significant for the Vietnam War ballad "I Should Be Proud" and the slow jam, "Love Guess Who"...
and regional transportation.
RPCs may also be involved in a variety of other programs other than growth management, such as emergency preparedness programs planning, GIS services, statistical analysis, small business development and public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
projects.
RPCs Composition
Each county in the region shall have a member on the Board of Directors of the RPC in its region and shall have at least one vote. Local governments and the Governor of Florida may appoint either locally elected officials or lay citizens, provided that at least two-thirds of the voting members are locally elected officials. Each RPC's Board may be composed of the following members:- Local elected officials (city and county commissioners).
- Officials appointed by the Governor, including an elected school board member to be nominated by the Florida School Board Association.
- Ex officio nonvoting members appointed by the Governor.
RPC Organization
There are 11 RPCs in the State of Florida; one for each comprehensive planning district of the state:- West Florida RPC, Pensacola
- Apalachee RPC, Tallahassee
- North Central Florida RPC, Gainesville
- Northeast Florida Regional Council, Jacksonville
- Withlacoochee RPC, Ocala
- East Central Florida RPC, Orlando
- Central Florida RPC, Bartow
- Tampa Bay RPC
- Southwest Florida RPC, Ft. Myers
- Treasure Coast RPC, Stuart
- South Florida RPC, Miami
See also
- Government of FloridaGovernment of FloridaThe government of Florida is a constitutional republic with three branches of government, including the executive branch consisting of the Governor of Florida and the other elected and appointed constitutional officers; the legislative branch, the Florida Legislature, consisting of the Senate and...
- Growth managementGrowth managementGrowth management is a set of techniques used by government to ensure that as the population grows that there are services available to meet their demands. These are not necessarily only government services...
- Land useLand useLand use is the human use of land. Land use involves the management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment such as fields, pastures, and settlements. It has also been defined as "the arrangements, activities and inputs people undertake in a certain land cover...
- Regional planningRegional planningRegional planning deals with the efficient placement of land use activities, infrastructure, and settlement growth across a larger area of land than an individual city or town. The related field of urban planning deals with the specific issues of city planning...
- Urban planningUrban planningUrban planning incorporates areas such as economics, design, ecology, sociology, geography, law, political science, and statistics to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities....
- ZoningZoningZoning is a device of land use planning used by local governments in most developed countries. The word is derived from the practice of designating permitted uses of land based on mapped zones which separate one set of land uses from another...