The City of Tallahassee has a five-year strategic plan. The current planning period is 2020 through 2024. As explained in its introduction, the Strategic Plan establishes:

"...a framework to build a creative capital city that supports a strong community with vibrant neighborhoods and diverse, passionate people; that thrives as an innovative economic and educational hub; and that protects our natural resources."

The City's Strategic Plan is built on the seven focus topics listed below. Each of these topics is defined by objectives and measurable priorities with specific targets to define success.

• Economic development
• Impact on poverty
• Organizational effectiveness
• Public infrastructure
• Public safety
• Public trust
• Quality of life

Each City department has been assigned the responsibility for the implementation of the Strategic Plan's various objectives and priorities. The Growth Management Department was assigned two initiatives from the Strategic Plan:

First, we are to increase the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed in utility customers' homes. The Building Code allows but does not mandate residential EV charging stations. The Growth Management Department will encourage residential EV charging stations by doing the following:

1. Prepare a study documenting incentives used in other cities to promote EV charging stations and evaluate their use in Tallahassee;
2. Create a video that describes how easy it is to add an EV station to an existing home;
3. Prepare a checklist showing what would be required to add a residential EV station to an existing home;
4. Consider a new ordinance that would require EV charging stations for development requiring a site plan approval; and
5. Add a new page to the Building Inspection Division's website that would be the home for all of the above, along with text that documents the benefits and convenience of a residential EV station.

Second, we are to increase residential density within the city limits. We continue to promote the Zoning Code's various incentives in support of higher densities, and we are also seeking new ways to use the Zoning Code to improve compatibility between higher density residential projects and their adjacent neighbors.

As a department, we're committed to doing everything we can to support the implementation of the City's Strategic Plan. With that goal in mind, we created the Growth Management Department Strategic Plan that identifies 33 additional tasks. Those additional tasks identify initiatives that will allow us to go even further in the implementation of the seven focus topics noted above. We invite you to explore the Growth Management Department's Strategic Plan.