Upon the advice of a blue ribbon panel of experts, the Florida Legislature took decisive and progressive action to adopt laws intended to protect the environment and manage growth. Furthering these early programs, and with widespread public and media support, in 1985 the Florida Legislature adopted its landmark growth management act. At the top of the pyramid is the state comprehensive plan, with broad goals and policies dealing with subjects ranging from education to the environment. Eleven regional planning councils are required to adopt Strategic Regional Policy Plans consistent with the state plan, to address regional issues. Then there are the approximately 470 local government comprehensive plans, which are supposed to be consistent with the regional and the state plans.
Public participation is the foundation of Florida's planning pyramid.
Communities are free to exceed these minimums in order to better plan for the future. Each community determines the need for existing and future public services and facilities to serve population growth to the year 2010. The comprehensive plan has the force of law and governs every decision of local government that affects the development of land. Following such a comprehensive plan is an effective way to manage growth based upon projected population. Consequently, Martin County, located between these major growth areas, has grown right along with the rest of the state.