5 GOALS OF RIVER OF LAKES HERITAGE CORRIDOR SCENIC HIGHWAY

GOAL 1: Resource Protection, Maintenance, Preservation and Enhancement

Protect, preserve, maintain and enhance the natural, recreational, archaeological, agricultural, scenic, historical and cultural resources along the Corridor.


GOAL 2: Transportation and Safety

Advocate an interconnected system of roads, alternative modes of transportation, a system of signage and optimum safety conditions for all users while preserving the intrinsic resources of the Corridor.


GOAL 3: Community Support and Participation

Involve the Corridor communities, their residents, vested interests, property owners, businesses, civic/non-profit organizations and government entities in planning decisions and activities and provide opportunities to support on-going programs and projects.


GOAL 4: Education and Corridor Story

Promote and increase the public’s knowledge of the unique intrinsic resources and provide educational opportunities to introduce and enlighten visitors and residents about the Corridor’s rich history, natural and cultural elements.


GOAL 5: Economic Development and Tourism

Encourage sustainable economic activities that help to preserve the Corridor’s rural and agricultural landscapes, natural habitats, scenic vistas, historical, archaeological and cultural resources.



COMPREHENSIVE GOALS, OBJECTIVES and STRATEGIES

GOAL 1: Resource Protection, Maintenance, Preservation and Enhancement

Protect, preserve, maintain and enhance the natural, recreational, archaeological, agricultural, scenic, historical and cultural resources along the Corridor.

Objective 1.1: Preserve and enhance historic sites and natural areas for public access.

Strategy 1.1.1: Conduct and inventory and evaluation of historic structures and archaeological sites within the Corridor, defining those requiring further protection and/or restoration or improvement. Record the completed inventory with the Florida Master Site File. Update the historical and archaeological inventory as sites are documented and record with the Florida Master Site File.

Strategy 1.1.2: Collaborate with governments, communities and organizations to encourage the acquisition and restoration of important and endangered historic sites and natural areas for public access and preservation.

Strategy 1.1.3: Institute a Bed and Breakfast business initiative with local realtors to utilize historic properties.

Strategy 1.1.4: Participate and/or initiate nomination efforts of historic designations for significant resources to ensure long-term protection.

Strategy 1.1.5: Inventory existing information signage and historic markers and partner with historic societies to identify additional promotional and signage needs.

Strategy 1.1.6: Encourage development and support of local and National Register historic district designations to preserve significant cultural neighborhoods. Increase the awareness of the benefits and limitations of National Historic Register designation.

Strategy 1.1.7: Identify funding opportunities and potential grant programs in order to implement historic markers and signage.

Strategy 1.1.8: Secure funding through public, private or corporate entities to preserve significant historic and cultural sites along the Corridor.

Strategy 1.1.9: Preserve the architectural integrity of historic structures.

Objective 1.2: Enhance and protect scenic vistas and significant environmental resources reflecting the rural, agricultural, historical, archaeological, natural and cultural heritage of the Corridor.

Strategy 1.2.1: Encourage conservation easements and other acquisitions of significant agricultural properties along the corridor.

Strategy 1.2.2: Conduct an inventory of threatened and endangered species and species of special concern within the Corridor. Collaborate with Corridor stakeholders to complete the inventory, and record the completed inventory with the Florida Natural Areas Inventory. Update the listed species inventory as species are documented and record it with the Florida Natural Areas Inventory.

Strategy 1.2.3: Work with partnering agencies to plan for removal of invasive/exotic species that compromise habitat and scenic vistas.

Strategy 1.2.4: Promote controlled naturalization of non-native plant species along rights-of-way with occasional mowing and selective vegetation removal to maintain sightlines, create new viewsheds and support healthy growth.

Strategy 1.2.5: Educate residents on land management and exotic species control.

Strategy 1.2.6: Collaborate with state, county and local authorities as well as private landowners to promote use of native and water-wise landscaping.

Strategy 1.2.7: Encourage the planting of wildflowers along rights-of-way, in medians and adjacent to public and private properties, promote mowing schedule coordination with wildflower blooming cycles (FDOT, County, cities, etc.).

Strategy 1.2.8: Provide public and private property owners the opportunity to participate in planting and beautification programs.

Strategy 1.2.9: Encourage developers and property owners to retain live oak trees and other native vegetation and to plant new live oaks and other native trees to create and maintain canopied roadways and properties.

Strategy 1.2.10: Seek funding and partnerships to support the maintenance and/or installation of trees and native plants.

Strategy 1.2.11: Identify, protect and/or reestablish historically appropriate landscaping.

Strategy 1.2.12: Work with local governments along the Corridor to enhance and develop Canopy Tree Protection ordinances.

Strategy 1.2.13: Protect existing and work to reestablish diminished long leaf pine habitat.

Strategy 1.2.14: Work with county and local governments, as well as public and private landowners, to promote the establishment of appropriate setbacks and landscape screening of parking and unsightly areas along the Corridor.

Strategy 1.2.15: Ensure that lighting, signage, landscaping and hardscape reflect the historic, scenic and rural character of the Corridor while conforming with standards presented in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, FDOT guidelines and other engineering standards.

Strategy 1.2.16: Work with utility companies, state, county and local officials to move utility poles, place them underground or otherwise minimize their appearance in locations where they obstruct or detract from scenic views of the Corridor.

Strategy 1.2.17: Monitor the on-going status of Maintenance Agreements between FDOT and the local governments.

Objective 1.3: Protect and restore the St. Johns River and its associated ecosystems.

Strategy 1.3.1: Work with state, county and local authorities to improve stormwater control practices.

Strategy 1.3.2: Educate property owners on the importance of vegetation management to help minimize pollution runoffs.

Strategy 1.3.3: Work with state, county and local authorities, agencies, citizen groups, landowners and other stakeholders to restore altered hydrologic, wetland and aquatic system connectivity along the river, and to minimize future alteration of those systems.

Strategy 1.3.4: Encourage water use studies that will protect and preserve the water flow levels of the St. Johns River.

Objective 1.4: Create an inter-jurisdictional Corridor Master Plan that will provide special protections, and strategize and coordinate long and short-term activities planned along the Corridor.

Strategy 1.4.1: Create development standards to address both public and private spaces, including site, landscape, building design and signage.

Strategy 1.4.2: Conduct an inventory and create a list of land acquisition priorities.

Strategy 1.4.3: Conduct an inventory and create a list of scenic and agricultural conservation easement priorities.

Strategy 1.4.4: Develop strategies to pursue restoration projects as part of the Master Plan implementation program.

Strategy 1.4.5: Identify areas to pursue as restoration projects, which includes removal of exotic species and replanting of native plant species, restoration of historic sites, removal of billboards and non-conforming signage, and relocation of above ground utility services.

Strategy 1.4.6: Develop a comprehensive landscape plan including highway improvement limitations through culturally sensitive neighborhoods (i.e. protecting canopy and significant tree lined corridors) and removal of invasive and exotic species.

Strategy 1.4.7: Create coordinated design elements for corridor public facilities including bus, pedestrian and bike shelters, etc.

Strategy 1.4.8: Work directly with developers, builders and businesses along the Corridor to promote rational integration of development and the environment in decision-making.

Strategy 1.4.9: Educate developers, builders and businesses along the Corridor of the principles of “Rural by Design" by Randall Arendt, whereby creative, practical land-use planning techniques are utilized to preserve open space and community character, and recommend design modifications to better fit with the Scenic Highway.

Strategy 1.4.10: Identify and seek grants, funding sources and partnerships to enable the completion of the Corridor Master Plan.

Strategy 1.4.11: Incorporate the Scenic Byway Design Guidelines contained in Scenic Byways, A Design Guide for Roadside Improvements (published by the USDA Forest Service for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration) into the Corridor Master Plan.

Strategy 1.4.12: Establish estimated project costs and prioritize them according to funding availability.

Strategy 1.4.13: Create and implement amendments to the Comprehensive Plans of the County and cities by including an additional element for the designated Scenic Highway Corridor that will provide special recognition and protection for the Corridor and its resources.

Strategy 1.4.14: Create an overlay district to facilitate special protection of the Corridor and its resources.

Strategy 1.4.15: Coordinate with all Corridor jurisdictions to obtain comprehensive plans and other adopted policy documents.

Strategy 1.4.16: Develop a Corridor document archive and/or resource center.

Objective 1.5: Develop safe and aesthetically attractive public facilities that protect resources while enhancing the visitor’s experience.

Strategy 1.5.1: Support federal, state, county and municipal efforts to enhance, provide access and protect native habitat in preserves, parks and recreation areas.

Strategy 1.5.2: Provide scenic vehicle pull-off locations with interpretive kiosks.

Strategy 1.5.3: Seek grant funding for scenic vista improvements.

Strategy 1.5.4: Seek grant funding to restore and maintain significant cultural sites in public ownership.

Strategy 1.5.5: Promote and encourage Volusia County and municipalities in the corridor to seek funding through the Florida Development and Recreational Assistance Program (FDRAP) to develop related recreational facilities along the corridor.

Strategy 1.5.6: Recognize and provide non-impact access to and interpretation of historic, archeological and cultural sites.

Strategy 1.5.7: Provide appropriate directional signage for the Corridor and its resources.

Strategy 1.5.8: Coordinate with partners on trailhead locations and encourage and support construction and/or improvement of public restrooms and picnic sites.

Strategy 1.5.9: Enhance and promote the continued accommodation of tour buses and recreational vehicles (RVs) through enhanced ingress/egress, safety measures, wayfinding signage, etc.

Strategy 1.5.10: Develop multi-use trail head facilities, trail rest areas, water fountains etc.


GOAL 2: Transportation and Safety

Advocate an interconnected system of roads, alternative modes of transportation, a system of signage and optimum safety conditions for all users while preserving the intrinsic resources of the Corridor.

Objective 2.1: Provide a safe and efficient intermodal transportation system within the Corridor.

Strategy 2.1.1: Work with state, regional, county and local authorities, as well as, nonprofit wildlife and environmental groups to raise awareness of wildlife protection techniques in transportation and land development planning.

Strategy 2.1.2: Support the establishment of reduced speed zones, traffic-calming measures and wildlife crossings in areas of known bear and other wildlife trails and crossings.

Strategy 2.1.3: Support commuter rail and intermodal transportation development that links all modes of transportation.

Strategy 2.1.4: Work with communities to find alternatives to road widening in historically or ecologically sensitive segments of the highway.

Strategy 2.1.5: Link waterways to intermodal systems and the transportation network.

Strategy 2.1.6: Develop a master intermodal plan.

Strategy 2.1.7: Partner with FDOT, Volusia, Flagler, Putnam, Seminole Counties and local agencies to identify and support the implementation of reasonable solutions for automotive, pedestrian and cyclist safety issues along the Corridor.

Strategy 2.1.8: Support regional land acquisition efforts in order to preserve and expand regional habitat connectivity.

Strategy 2.1.9: Coordinate development of multi-use, bike and equestrian trails throughout corridor with Volusia County, FDOT, State Parks, and municipal governments.

Strategy 2.1.10: Coordinate with FDOT, Volusia County and affected municipal governments for any proposed highway improvements to minimize impacts on aesthetics of rural highways, tree canopy, historic districts and other neighborhoods that would be adversely impacted by increased traffic flow caused by widening or other roadway projects.

Strategy 2.1.11: Design and install traffic devices (speed tables) to slow traffic through historic districts located on or adjacent to the US 17 Corridor.

Strategy 2.1.12: Inventory sidewalk/pedestrian crossing needs and visitor features along the Corridor.

Strategy 2.1.13: Work with FDOT, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO), Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), Bike Florida and local governments to prioritize needs/funding options to develop bicycle/pedestrian facilities that avoid vehicle conflicts.

Objective 2.2: Develop and support alternative modes of transportation.

Strategy 2.2.1: Develop multi-use, bicycle and equestrian trails, both on-road and off-road.

Strategy 2.2.2: Promote and sponsor special events that feature alternative transportation.

Strategy 2.2.3: Promote and encourage Volusia County (VOTRAN) or municipal entities with significant historic districts to pursue a variety of unique or eco-friendly public transportation systems such as trolleys, horse-and-carriage, bicycling and/or Segways, etc. to access these resources.

Strategy 2.2.4: Encourage Volusia County and municipal entities to seek Federal transportation enhancement funding for trail and other alternative transportation projects.

Objective 2.3: Promote an appropriate and coordinated signage theme for commercial and educational information, while preserving the integrity of the Corridor.

Strategy 2.3.1: Coordinate and establish public and private signage standards for the entire corridor.

Strategy 2.3.2: Develop a multi-jurisdictional uniform signage plan and standards for public and private use for the corridor.

Strategy 2.3.3: Support efforts by jurisdictions to adopt and enforce appropriate signage rules.

Strategy 2.3.4: Develop a sign inventory and standards for all public Corridor informational signage.

Strategy 2.3.5: Support the removal of billboards throughout the Corridor.

Strategy 2.3.6: Support county and municipal code enforcement of temporary and sub-standard signage.

Strategy 2.3.7: Develop an implementation plan for new signage within the Corridor.

Strategy 2.3.8: Develop and coordinate funding mechanisms to provide incentives to businesses to replace or eliminate non-conforming signs.

Strategy 2.3.9: Design and construct multi-lingual informational kiosks, wayfinding and other informational signage along the Corridor.

Strategy 2.3.10: Work with authorities of area parks, forests, wildlife refuges and recreational sites to establish standard Corridor-themed signage, interpretation and public information.

Strategy 2.3.11: Coordinate long-term funding for future signage.


GOAL 3: Community Support and Participation

Involve the Corridor communities, their residents, vested interests, property owners, businesses, civic/non-profit organizations and government entities in planning decisions and activities and provide opportunities to support on-going programs and projects.

Objective 3.1: Partner with existing and future adjacent scenic/heritage highways for connectivity and maximization of opportunities and resources.

Strategy 3.1.1: Invite adjacent scenic/heritage highway groups to attend the CME and/or CAG meetings.

Strategy 3.1.2: Review and monitor the Goals, Objectives and Strategies of adjacent scenic/heritage highway advocacy groups to ensure regional consistency.

Strategy 3.1.3: Link the Corridor website with adjacent scenic/heritage highways.

Strategy 3.1.4: Develop themed tour itineraries with adjacent scenic/heritage highways and partner marketing/promotion programs.

Objective 3.2: Increase awareness of the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Scenic Highway.

Strategy 3.2.1: Hold regular public meetings to inform the community and receive input about the goals, objectives, strategies and status of Corridor projects.

Strategy 3.2.2: Develop and continually update a website to educate local citizens about the status of Corridor plans and provide general information about the Corridor.

Strategy 3.2.3: Advertise meetings through Public Service Announcements with local media.

Strategy 3.2.4: Actively involve local elected officials, city managers, other governmental representatives, businesses and residents to implement individual action items.

Strategy 3.2.5: Develop a media position and write periodic news releases.

Strategy 3.2.6: Establish a speaker’s bureau.

Strategy 3.2.7: Link the Corridor website to Chamber/City/County and State websites.

Strategy 3.2.8: Develop ongoing grass-roots recruitment program for volunteers, CME and CAG members, and community partners.

Strategy 3.2.9: Develop a “Friends of the Corridor" database list of interested parties willing to support the Goals of the Corridor and identify opportunities for their involvement.

Strategy 3.2.10: Work with the National Scenic Byway Resource Center for developing programs that further the Goals of the Corridor.

Strategy 3.2.11: Continue to involve the CME and communities in updating the 5-Year CMP.

Strategy 3.2.12: Develop an Annual Report documenting process.

Strategy 3.2.13: Encourage effective intergovernmental coordination related to the designation process and implementation of the Corridor Management Plan (CMP).

Strategy 3.2.14: Provide a forum for coordination of government efforts related to the Corridor.

Objective 3.3: Obtain community support through local businesses and civic organizations.

Strategy 3.3.1: Develop a “Vision" program and speakers series to educate and sell the project to local business and Civic organization meetings.

Strategy 3.3.2: Encourage residents and businesses along the Corridor to participate in the planning and decision making through public meetings and web site submissions.

Strategy 3.3.3: Invite public land managers, “Friends of the Corridor" organizations, homeowner associations, agricultural interests, local business and civic organizations and environmental groups in the corridor to send representatives to the public meetings.

Strategy 3.3.4: Promote and encourage County and municipal entities to develop incentive and reward programs to encourage corridor businesses to improve blighted areas.

Strategy 3.3.5: Seek financial support from individuals, local and corporate businesses, and civic organizations for Corridor projects.

Strategy 3.3.6: Seek out long-term funding strategies (partnerships with private interests, grants and government support) so that the CME continues to function efficiently and for CMP implementation.

Strategy 3.3.7: Develop a speaker’s bureau to inform schools, service organizations, clubs and religious groups on the community benefits of the scenic highway designation.

Strategy 3.3.8: Develop a “Friends" group/program for small businesses.


GOAL 4: Education and Corridor Story

Promote and increase the public’s knowledge of the unique intrinsic resources and provide educational opportunities to introduce and enlighten visitors and residents about the Corridor’s rich history, natural and cultural elements.

Objective 4.1: Provide educational opportunities that interpret the historical, archaeological, agricultural, natural, scenic, and cultural elements of the Corridor.

Strategy 4.1.1: Develop a coordinated interpretive plan.

Strategy 4.1.2: Develop a multi-lingual video, brochures, kiosk informational panels and other interpretive literature as appropriate.

Strategy 4.1.3: Seek public, private and corporate support through foundations and grant programs to fund interpretive efforts.

Strategy 4.1.4: Partner with existing foundations, natural and cultural sites managers; to interpret their individual sites and their relation to the heritage corridor as a whole.

Strategy 4.1.5: Seek public/private partnerships with agricultural interests to interpret the agricultural heritage of West Volusia County.

Strategy 4.1.6: Partner with local educational institutions such as Volusia County Schools, Universities, Stetson Elderhostel program to provide environmental learning opportunities.

Strategy 4.1.7: Develop educational programs on the Corridor’s history and economics.

Strategy 4.1.8: Partner with St. Johns Water Management District, St. Johns River Alliance, and the Department of Environmental Protection to develop an interpretive plan for natural areas and resources.

Strategy 4.1.9: Develop and maintain educational information and interpretive materials on a website.

Strategy 4.1.10: Develop a media relations position and speakers bureau to provide outreach at special events, public meetings, civic organizations and educational forums.

Strategy 4.1.11: Continue to hold and expand the annual Florida Wildflower Festival.

Strategy 4.1.12: Develop and implement the River Quest program.

Strategy 4.1.13: Develop and maintain a resource library/archive.

Strategy 4.1.14: Create/provide a location map and key Corridor information for the ROLHC website and link to FDOT’s Scenic Highway website.


GOAL 5: Economic Development and Tourism

Encourage sustainable economic activities that help to preserve the Corridor’s rural and agricultural landscapes, natural habitats, scenic vistas, historical, archaeological and cultural resources.

Objective 5.1: Identify and promote agri-businesses such as ferneries, herbs, organics, orchids, citrus, etc.

Strategy 5.1.1: Develop strong relationships with the agricultural industry.

Strategy 5.1.2: Develop partnerships with representatives of agricultural industries and groups.

Strategy 5.1.3: Work with cities and county to maintain land in agricultural use.

Strategy 5.1.4: Continue to promote agri-tourism opportunities to the agricultural industry.

Strategy 5.1.5: Secure public/foundation ownership of the Strawn packing house and sawmill to restore and promote it as a centerpiece for the West Volusia Citrus industry.

Objective 5.2: Improve tourism opportunities throughout the Corridor.

Strategy 5.2.1: Encourage agri-tourism opportunities along the corridor through incentive and reward programs.

Strategy 5.2.2: Sponsor, promote and encourage public and private agricultural and cultural sites to develop, or expand on existing first person and third person “living history" programs to interpret the cultural and historic relevance of West Volusia County.

Strategy 5.2.3: Sponsor and promote cultural and agricultural themed special events coordinated with private agricultural interests and the Pioneer Settlement.

Strategy 5.2.4: Become a VISIT FLORIDA partner, participate in their national and world wide tourism promotions and other opportunities available through membership.

Strategy 5.2.5: Support historical and cultural events.

Strategy 5.2.6: Coordinate, hold and promote special events in the Corridor.

Strategy 5.2.7: Develop tourism packages, including day and weekend itineraries.

Strategy 5.2.8: Create and distribute self-guided tour materials that can be downloaded from the website.

Strategy 5.2.9: Develop historical tours of various places along the Corridor.

Strategy 5.2.10: Develop a recreational guide which illustrates various recreational opportunities along the Corridor.

Strategy 5.2.11: Create a program to train locals (walking ambassadors) to give tours of the Corridor’s resources.

Strategy 5.2.12: Promote and monitor public and private participation in the development and implementation of programs for tourists to participate in the resources of the Corridor.

Strategy 5.2.13: Support and promote eco- and heritage-tourism activities such as pontoon boating, canoeing, kayaking, etc., and encouraging “green" activities such as electric boating, bicycling, etc.

Strategy 5.2.14: Develop a technology-based tour system utilizing technologies such as PDAs, GPS.

Strategy 5.2.15: Maintain a comprehensive event calendar on website.

Strategy 5.2.16: Identify potential visitor center locations such as the Pioneer Settlement in Barberville, Seville School, DeBary Hall and other sites.

Strategy 5.2.17: Establish a centrally located information center to provide maps, brochures, guides and literature about the Corridor’s intrinsic resources.

Strategy 5.2.18: Identify keywords/meta-tags for website searches.

Strategy 5.2.19: Work with partners to develop and promote new blueway trails.

Strategy 5.2.20: Promote recreation-based businesses.

Strategy 5.2.21: Collaborate with local business owners and Chambers of Commerce/Visitor Centers on mentoring programs for new tourism entrepreneurs, such as outfitters, guides, etc.

Strategy 5.2.22: Work with local colleges on the development of training programs to improve local skills for the promotion of heritage and nature-based tourism.

Strategy 5.2.23: Participate/coordinate with the multi-county trail and related programs and events.

Strategy 5.2.24: Sponsor, promote and encourage Corridor communities to develop marketing programs that benefit the Byway by promoting the intrinsic resources designed to attract visitors to their respective area.

Objective 5.3: Develop and promote a coordinated signage theme for the Corridor that preserves the rural and historic integrity of West Volusia County.

Strategy 5.3.1: Develop a standard River of Lakes Heritage Corridor themed signage program.

Strategy 5.3.2: Coordinate with FDOT, Volusia County and all municipal entities to implement the standard signage program.

Strategy 5.3.3: Seek grants and other funding for the implementation of a signage program.

Strategy 5.3.4: Provide appropriate directional signage for the Corridor and its resources.

Strategy 5.3.5: Create a signage plan that outlines sign location, theme, etc.

Objective 5.4: Mandate that new development and existing businesses in the Corridor incorporate the Corridor Vision into future development plans.

Strategy 5.4.1: Promote and encourage existing business in the Corridor to upgrade their Corridor frontage to aesthetically blend with the natural and rural character of the Corridor.

Strategy 5.4.2: Develop an incentive and rewards program to encourage improvement in blighted areas.

Strategy 5.4.3: Encourage Volusia County and municipal entities to tighten up code enforcement in the Corridor.

Strategy 5.4.4: Insure that Corridor elements are incorporated into the Comprehensive Plans of all local jurisdictions.

Strategy 5.4.5: Work with local government staff and the Planning Commissions to identify current comprehensive plan elements that support the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Scenic Highway.

Strategy 5.4.6: Support the review and update of the local comprehensive plans to support the inclusion of the Goals, Objectives and Strategies of the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Scenic Highway CMP.

Strategy 5.4.7: Support the approval and adoption of the amendments required in order to implement the Goals, Objectives and Strategies of the Corridor into the local government comprehensive plans.

Strategy 5.4.8: Encourage economic ventures that will further Corridor goals.

Strategy 5.4.9: Encourage “green" community development to minimize our carbon footprint and environmental impact.