Balm Community Plan
DRAFT Goals and Strategies by staff
January 24, 2012
Theme:
Agriculture/Economic Development/Education
Goal 1: Balm residents, business stakeholders, and land owners strongly support the
viability and profitability of agricultural businesses in order to provide a strong economic
base for the community and encourage continued production of goods and crop
cultivation.
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Explore the creation of a Farmers Market
Encourage the expansion and production of agriculture including Goodson
Farms, and the tropical fish? industry
Support Agricultural Industrial uses ie tractor service
Encourage Ag. Extension satellite office
Promote opportunities or partnerships or adult education
Generate new, sustainable agricultural techniques
Suggest opportunities for introducing eco-tourism
Maintain Urban Service Area until such time expansion criteria is met
Goal 2: The community will foster the establishment of community-organizational
partnerships between residents and local groups so as to protect the natural resources
of the area, maintain compatibility with existing and future agricultural growth, and
develop a communication network that keeps all parties informed.
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Build and expand partnership with University of Florida’s Institute of Food
and Agricultural Sciences
Create community liaisons to report on updates of research
Leverage contacts with MOSAIC and its resources to accomplish the
community’s desired goals
Goal 3: The community supports the creation of alternative agricultural uses and
activities such as community gardens, organic farming, solar energy farming, and local
farmers markets that will provide healthier lifestyle choices for residents and diversify
the community’s agricultural base.
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Allot appropriate space and designate community appointees to organize
the maintenance of community gardens
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January 24, 2012
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Support the cultivation of organic crops through permissible use of
certified fertilizers and clean water, as well as appropriate harvesting
techniques
Establish participants and organize schedule to run an effective Famers
Market
The county will revise the LDC to allow for the establishment of effective
Famers Markets and community gardens.
Community Character
Goal 4: Balm recommends the continued conservation of its rural and agrarian
characteristics, atmosphere, and quality of life established by long standing community
residents which include leisurely activities, strong neighborhood ties, faith based
organizations, and low density housing.
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The county will maintain appropriate rural future land uses that are
compatible with the existing character and level of development in Balm.
(A/R or less)
Encourage the upkeep and appearance of residential properties. The
county shall prevent open storage in residential zoning/properties. ??
The community desires additional and effective code enforcement
sweeps, trips etc.
The community encourages low density unit or future subdivision
development that contains a diverse mix of housing and lot sizes, while
discouraging high density or standard subdivision development.
Consider greater usage of the Balm Civic Center for organization of
various community events to strengthen community relationships
Protect the natural assets of the community, including scrub lands, water
bodies, etc.
The county will allow neighborhood serving commercial intensity at sites
that meet locational criteria.
Given Balm already has it fair share of liabilities (Balm Mountain,
Detention Center/Prison, landfill, borrow pits) the community supports
locating undesired land uses in other communities.
Continues to support no additional RP-2 land use policy #.##.
(consideration of split parcels)
Balm supports parcel that do meet the land use designation lost size to be
considered for a change in land use to match their lot size. (e.g. a 10 acre
parcel in AM 1/20 would be supported to change to AE 1/10)
Stay eclectic in building structure and diversity of lot sizes and shapes.
Preserve vistas and views
Allow clustering in order to preserve and protect open space and ag uses.
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January 24, 2012
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Goal 5: Balm residents and stakeholders support the preservation of existing open
spaces while establishing the acquisition of new open spaces so as to provide free and
accessible areas to the public, maintain panoramic views, and respect the existing
community characteristics and conditions.
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The county will continue to seek the acquisition and purchase of ELAPP
properties.
Support the connection of a wildlife corridor along the old Balm Railroad
right-of-way that will protect the area’s natural wildlife and plant life
Encourage a mix of private and public spaces that maintain open views
Minimize light pollution, nighttime lighting standards
Consider the establishment of a ‘dark sky’ initiative that will prevent
pervasive artificial light.
Goal 6: Balm residents and stakeholders desire to preserve and maintain community
landmarks in order to provide a continued sense of identity and build historical
significance.
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Encourage the restoration of Balm Civic Center and Recreational Park
through community participation and funding efforts
Reopen the original Balm Post Office and perform necessary actions to
keep active
Creation of public engagement and gathering opportunities and locations
Other landmarks?
The community supports expanded inclusive services at Balm Park
Support youth soccer program
Balm requests that new residential development provide for trail
connections to public greenways, adjacent planned clustered
developments (hamlets) and/or village center.
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Goal 7: The community supports creation of Hamlets and/or Villages in locations that
meet locational criteria (see also Concept Map). These are centers that have a central
core of services, retail, office, and community facilities and meet the daily needs of area
residents. The mix may include convenience retail, food services, personnel and
business service uses, community facilities including parks, schools, libraries, places of
worship, and pedestrian linkages.
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Creation of a downtown Hamlet with minor design standards (ie signs,
limited lighting) …
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Goal 8: In order to keep Balm attractive and safe for visitors and local residents, the
community recommends necessary improvements and continued maintenance to the
existing infrastructure.
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The County will provide appropriate services for infrastructural
improvements along Sweat Loop Road which include 2 additional feet of
designated bicycle lanes, (….)
Potholes along (….) and roadside ditches along (….) will be resurfaced,
covered, and/or appropriately attended to.
Include the widening of various roadsides, bicycle lane designations, and
resurfacing of potholes.
Include interconnections to adjacent development as new development
occurs
Mobility
Goal 9: Balm recommends establishment of pathways such as equestrian and
multimodal trails and rural corridors that allow for more convenient, accessible
connections between residential, nonresidential and recreational areas while conserving
the natural environment.
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Create a path that connects Balm’s recreational center to surrounding
neighborhoods
Designate and clear space for multimodal trails that accommodate all
users
Form network throughout the community that incorporate natural plant life
and open space and encourage pedestrian activity
Balm suggests leveraging the use of surrounding neighborhood horse
farming as an economic and recreational resource by creating
destinations, pathways to encourage equestrian ridership, and establish
connectivity among neighborhoods.
Crime Prevention
Goal 10: Community residents recommend appropriate crime prevention methods be
employed to prevent the continued occurrence of crime throughout Balm.
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Community desires to prevent the continued truck traffic infractions so that
all modes of travel may become safer.
Graffiti?
Gangs?
The community supports the addition of a sheriff substation
The community desires additional law enforcement presence
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The county will continue to maintain at least minimum adopted response
times.
The community will explore developing a neighborhood watch program
and /or liaison with sheriff department.
Misc.
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