What is the EAR?
The EAR report evaluates how successful a community has been in addressing major community land use planning issues through implementation of its comprehensive plan. Based on this evaluation, the report suggests how the plan should be revised to better address community objectives, changing conditions and trends affecting the community, and changes in state requirements.
 
Every seven years, the State of Florida requires each local government to prepare and submit an EAR to The Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The EAR must be prepared by the Local Planning Agency, adopted by the local government and sent to DCA where it is reviewed to determine whether it is sufficient.

The EAR should accomplish the following:

• Identify major issues for the community
• Review past actions of the local government in implementing the plan since the last EAR
• Assess the degree to which plan objectives have been achieved
• Assess both successes and shortcomings of the plan
• Identify ways that the plan should be changed
• Respond to changing conditions and trends affecting the local community
• Respond to the need for new data
• Respond to changes in state requirements regarding growth management and development
• Respond to changes in regional plans
• Ensure effective intergovernmental coordination

What is a Major Issue?

• It is an impediment that prevents a community from getting to where it wants to be in the future.
• It is a problem that needs to be overcome before a community’s vision can be achieved.
• It is a widely held concern that impacts planning for future growth in a community. Major Issues are decided upon  through a collaborative process involving local government staff, elected officials, reviewing agencies, and input from citizens.

What is not a Major Issue?

• Impediments or problems limited to a small area in relation to the community as a whole.
• Topics that are narrow in scope and require minor policy changes

 

Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) EAR Process

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EAR Major Issues Scoping Meeting (2/25/2010)
	Agenda (PDF)  Presentation (PDF)

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EAR Workshops
	Draft Major Issue Recommendations (10/18/2010) Agenda (PDF) Presentation (PDF)

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EAR Timeline
	EAR Timeline (PDF)

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Adopted EAR (February 22, 2011)

Cover page, Acknowledgements, Table of Contents (PDF) Executive Summary (PDF) Chapter 1 Introduction (PDF) Chapter 2 EAR Requirements (PDF) Chapter 3 Major Issues (PDF) Chapter 4 Assessment of Comprehensive Plan  Elements (Vol. 2) (PDF) Chapter 5 Assessment of Comprehensive Plan Elements (Vol. 1) (PDF) Chapter 6 Changes to Florida Statutes and Administrative Rules (PDF) Appendix – Reference Documents (PDF)

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DCA Correspondence
	Letter of Understanding (LOU) (PDF) DCA Response to LOU 7/28/10 (PDF) BC Response to DCA 8/27/10 (PDF) DCA Response to BC 9/2/10 ( PDF) DCA Preliminary & Final Sufficiency Determination 4/29/11 (PDF)

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