Goals, policies and objectives from the Rockledge Comprehensive Plan that relate to developing the Rockledge Community Park.
Policy 6.4.1.
The City
shall, where possible, preserve natural communities as part of the siting,
design, development and maintenance of public parks.
Existing natural plant communities should be maintained undisturbed as
part of new parks developments except for relatively minor alterations, such as
nature trails or boardwalks, which do not alter the wildlife habitat values of
the system.
Policy
6.4.4.
The
City shall require that natural vegetative communities be preserved intact
(including canopy trees, shrub and herbaceous-layer vegetation) in order to
satisfy the requirements of open space regulations used in development site-plan
approval, except where such preservation would be inappropriate, would conflict
with the public interest or would cause undue hardship.
Special emphasis should be given to protection of vegetative communities
which (a) may provide habitat for species listed by the USFWS, FGFWFC or FNAI as
endangered, threatened, rare or species of special concern; (b) are
themselves considered endangered in State, regional or local habitat
inventories; or (c) occur within the 100 year flood plain.
Policy
7.3.3
of the 1990 Rockledge Comprehensive Plan states: The city should adopt
regulations requiring the dedication of park land or fees in lieu thereof by all
new residential developments to insure that future park sites are developed to
meet the demand for recreational activities associated with their residential
delopments.
Policy
7.5.2
states: The city will seek to utilize existing school facilities for park
and other recreational needs so as to enhance citizens access to parks and
recreation.
Goal 6
Conserve and appropriately manage the
natural resources of the City of Rockledge to ensure the highest environmental
quality possible.
"Open
Spaces"- Undeveloped lands suitable for passive recreation or
conservation uses.
"Recreation" - The pursuit of leisure time activities occurring
in an indoor of outdoor setting.
GOAL 7
The City of Rockledge will ensure that residents have access to a full range
of recreational opportunities.
The City of Rockledge will ensure the conservation of open space areas within
the City to provide aesthetically pleasing buffer areas, to serve as wildlife
habitats, to act as groundwater recharge areas, to give definition to the urban
area, and to enhance and preserve natural resources.
OBJECTIVE 7.1
By the end of 1990 the City will establish agreements with District 4 Parks and
Recreation, and the School Board to fulfill the parks, recreation, and open
space needs for the residents of Rockledge, which have been identified in the
Analysis.
Policy 7.1.4
Continue to work with the School Board through the District 4 Parks and
Recreation Office to expand the use and availability of school facilities to the
citizens of Rockledge.
Policy 7.3.2
Work with the Parks and Recreation Division IV to achieve multiple community
benefits during parks and recreational facility development such as using a
multi-purpose field for storm water retention or developing a park with passive
recreation areas which fulfill open space needs within the City.
Policy 7.3.3
Adopt regulations requiring the dedication of park land or fees in lieu thereof
by all new residential developments to insure that future park sites are
developed to meet the demand for recreational activities associated with their
residential developments.
OBJECTIVE 7.4:
Within one year of plan submittal or as required by Florida Statutes, whichever
is greater, the land development regulations will include provisions for
addressing the open space needs of the City.
Policy 7.4.1
The City will work with the Parks and Recreation District 4 to develop an
acquisition program for community, district and regional parks and natural
reservations throughout the City, which will also fulfill the passive recreation
and open space needs of Rockledge residents.
Policy 7.4.2
The City will develop regulations, which will define open space and set
standards for open space preservation in local land development.
Policy 7.5.1
The City will seek to coordinate and cooperate with the School Board to ensure
efficient and joint use of existing and future park/school sites.
Policy 7.5.2
The City will seek to utilize existing school facilities for park and other
recreational needs so as to enhance citizen’s access to parks and recreation.
Policy 9.2.1
City Staff will recommend to the City Council only those land use decisions,
which are consistent with the Future Land Use Element and the overall intent of
the Comprehensive Plan.
"Native Vegetation" - Trees, shrubs,
herbs, and other plants, which are indigenous to the State of Florida, and were
not introduced by man.
"Natural Community" - A naturally occurring ecological association of
native plants and animals found in the State of Florida.
"Native Wildlife" - Those animals to include all species of mammals,
birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, which are indigenous to
the State of Florida, and were not introduced by man.
"Species of Special Concern"- Species which are not threatened or
endangered, yet warrant special attention because they are: (1) species that
although they are perhaps relatively abundant and widespread in the State, are
especially vulnerable to certain types of exploitation or environmental changes
and have experienced long-term population declines, or (2) species whose status
in Florida has a potential impact on other endangered or threatened populations
of same or other species, both within or outside the State. For example,
although the gopher tortoise (Gopherus ployphemus) is relatively abundant, it
has been listed as a Species of Special Concern (SSC) by the FGFWFC because its
abundance may affect that of several endangered, threatened or SSC species
(indigo snake, gopher frog, Florida mouse) which share its burrows in a communal
relationship.
Objective 6.4
By the end of 1993, representative samples of one (1%) percent or more of the
natural vegetative communities found in the City in 1987 shall be protected and
preserved. These areas will be used for preservation, open space, and
recreational purposed for the citizens of Rockledge. The amount of each
vegetative community which is preserved shall be adequate to ensure, by 1993,
the persistence of all native vegetation found in the City in 1989.
Impact of new sports facilities would be better developed on already disturbed lands. In Rockledge disturbed lands are the most common type of land available for development. These areas are not as likely to contain listed species, or valuable habitat.