The Department of Planning and Engineering is comprised of six basic areas: planning, engineering, mapping and graphics, permit compliance, mosquito monitoring and interagency coordination. They oversee a comprehensive list of responsibilities including:

• the continuing implementation of the District’s Comprehensive Plan;
• development and enforcement of the Land Development Regulations;
• administration of the District’s surface water permits
• monitoring of all construction related activities;
• the management and inspection, maintenance and/or improvements to surface water control and roadway facilities;
• monitoring & direction of mosquito control programs;
• oversight of land management activities throughout the District
• intergovernmental coordination activities Planning

Long-range planning has always been as essential activity at RCID. The first Comprehensive Plan was prepared in 1974 and preceded the state’s local planning requirements which were enacted the following year. In response to evolving state initiated mandates, the 1974 Plan was revised in 1979. Additional state growth management legislation followed and in 1988 the District embarked on its most ambitious planning effort, culminating in adoption of a new plan in 1991. The 1991 plan was much more comprehensive and focused on the District’s future in a much broader geographic content.

Since 1991, the RCID Comprehensive Plan has balanced the conflicting needs for flexibility and specificity by using a performance-based approach to planning. Instead of specifying the precise locations of future land uses, the plan offers landowners the opportunity to select from a variety of sites and settings. Instead of establishing rigid standards for density, heights, and other design criteria within each future development area, the plan sets maximum quantities of different uses and impacts that may occur within District boundaries over five-and ten-year periods. These two growth management tools – development maximums and impact thresholds – coupled with level of service standards, help the District determine the kinds of infrastructure improvements that are needed during the time horizon of the plan. They also help adjacent jurisdictions to plan more accurately, having been made aware of exactly what effects development within the District will have on them.

In 1998 the District prepared the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) required by state legislation. In 1999, the latest plan, Comprehensive Plan 2008 was adopted. This plan incorporates the changes and recommendations listed in the EAR, as well as targets and projections for the next ten years.

The staff holds pre-application meetings with project development teams, reviews site plan applications for proposed developments, reviews projected demands for infrastructure to assure concurrency and inspects construction sites to ensure compliance with all planning and environmental regulations. They team with numerous departments and agencies to assure an efficient and highly innovative environment.

Engineering
The Engineering Division has two primary responsibilities. The first responsibility is to secure from outside agencies all necessary environmental permits for new construction within the District, as well as to review engineering plans and development agreements covering the receipt of surface drainage into the District’s system from properties beyond the boundaries of the District. Engineering is also charged with the task of constant evaluation of flood protection with the District. Areas of concern are identified, the feasibility of potential corrective measures are evaluated, a plan of action is determined and corrective measures are carried out.

In an effort to maintain optimum information about the District’s water control facilities, the department annually updates the Master Drainage Plan and works closely with the firm of Gee & Jenson, Engineers, Architects, Planners, Inc., which has served as Chief Water Control Engineer since the formation of the District. They annually inspect all water control structures within the District and perform biannual inspections for all RCID bridges.

The Engineering Division is also responsible for roadway planning, construction and maintenance. The District’s policies insure the transportation facilities will continue to improve and expand as new development takes place, thereby assuring that the system remains highly functional and efficient. The District’s traffic circulation system includes over 35 miles of roadways, about half of which are limited access expressways, and an extensive network of directional signage. The programs for maintenance and essential alterations to the system constitute a significant part of the overall transportation responsibilities of the District.

Mapping and Graphics
The department operates a Geographic Information System (GIS) which provides for the collection, storage and utilization of multiple forms of geographically referenced information. Using this system, features on the land surface (i.e., building footprints, water control structures, etc.) can be represented graphically and linked to date (i.e., address information, square footage, pipe or amil gate size). The information is stored in the GIS database by using a layering system and thus can be viewed in various combinations. The capabilities of the GIS are being used as a support function for departments throughout the District and in conjunction with other governmental agencies.

Permit Compliance
Eroding construction sites are a leading cause of water quality problems throughout the United States. Problems caused by sediment include impacts to the environment, lowered aesthetic valves, regulatory agency penalties and increased maintenance costs. RCID ensures compliance with erosion control methodologies through reviews of construction documents, pre-construction meetings, site inspections and environmental monitoring. Coordination and enforcement of applicable regulations ensure protection of environmental resources while allowing responsible development. Continued enforcement of the Comprehensive Plan ensures the future development will be located away from flood-prone areas and that the Reedy Creek corridor will essentially remain undisturbed natural land.

Mosquito Control
Planning and Engineering is also responsible for monitoring mosquito populations and arbovirus activity and directing mosquito control operations within the District. Mosquitoes are collected, counted and identified by species weekly form 70 different sites. Additionally, a representative sample of mosquitoes are dissected to determine their age and thereby identify their ability to transmit disease. The District currently houses eight sentinel chicken flocks. The chickens are tested weekly throughout the year for the presence of antibodies to mosquito-borne viruses. The test results help define mosquito control activities such as spray frequencies and type of treatment applied. This program has been highly successful in minimizing concerns that could substantially affect the public.

Interagency Coordination
Intergovernmental coordination is pivotal to the success of District planning. When the District was formed, it was 16 miles for the nearest urban development. As the twenty-first century begins, there are new communities planned or under construction on all sides of the District’s boundaries. Accordingly, the District places great emphasis on coordination with Orange and Osceola Counties, resulting in continuing liaison and mutually beneficial projects and programs. In addition, RCID maintains a regional and state planning perspective in order to effectively track existing and projected development, proposed legislation and regulatory trends that may affect the District and region. Special attention is given to regional issues of land use development, environmental conservation, flood control, transportation and groundwater protection. The District’s participation ensures not only that RCID and the region develop and regulate in tandem, but also that the District continues to successfully adopt and implement advanced planning and engineering techniques.