Planning for Polk County's Future | Polk County Planning 2050

Polk County for Life, Work and Play

You’re noticing more housing developments, cars on the road, and the notable change in the 15-minute commute to work that now takes 25 in Polk County, FL. Have you wondered how growth is permitted? Thought about what you would change?

Growth can be good and bad; convenient and frustrating; planned and unpleasant; and unintentional and controlled. As residents of Polk County, you can share your ideas about what you want growth to look like in your community. As the planning team works to update the county’s next comprehensive plan, you are invited to join the process. The team has developed a project website, with the sole purpose of being a space for you to offer your feedback.

Why do we have a Polk County Comprehensive Plan?

Bob Graham was the governor of Florida when the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) was passed in 1985. The act was a result of state leaders’ efforts to address the negative effects of Florida’s population growth on the state’s economy and quality of life.

Under the GMA amended in 2011 as the Community Planning Act (CPA), comprehensive plans become state-required documents. Florida’s CPA requires each city and county to adopt a local comprehensive plan, which must include growth limits and designate areas for commercial, residential, and employment development while protecting property rights.

What is included in a comprehensive plan?

The plans have a long list of items that must be included and addressed as outlined in Florida’s CPA. At a minimum, plans must include goals, objectives, and rules (policies) that will guide and control future development, address and troubleshoot existing or potential problems that arise, promote public health, as well as preserve and protect human, economic, cultural, recreational, and environmental resources.

Share your feedback with the Polk County Planning Team

Please visit our Prosper 2050 Comprehensive Plan website and let your voice be heard.

Ways to participate in Polk County Planning 2050:

Post comments, problems, and solutions to the Idea Wall
Take the online survey
Leave notes or comments on specific places on the interactive map
Participate in person at the live workshops
Contact the Polk County Planning team directly

Why does your voice matter now?

Comprehensive plans are updated every seven years and have a 20 to 25-year planning horizon. Comments and feedback today, inform the plan that will guide and limit growth tomorrow.

The Comprehensive Polk County Plan Update Process

The first step in updating the plan is gathering feedback from you, a resident, in a phase we call public participation.

Polk County Development Phase

Once the public participation phase is completed, the planning team will write new goals, objectives, and policies for the Comprehensive Plan that are based on state law requirements, Board direction, and the feedback collected from residents.

Presentation and Review to Local Governing Bodies

Per Florida law, the Planning Commission is required to review the Comprehensive Plan update and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners that can include policy changes.

Transmittal Hearing

The Board will hold a public meeting often referred to as a Transmittal Hearing, where staff will present the update and the Board will transmit the revised comprehensive plan to the Florida Department of Commerce.

State Review of Plan

The Florida Department of Commerce has 60 days to review the updated plan and provide any comments for final consideration at the adoption hearing of the revised plan.