Planning, Research, and Development

Planning, Research, and Development Department

The Planning, Research, and Development Department includes the offices of Planning, Engineering, and Downtown Development. The Planning Department directs the City's Unified Development Ordinance for zoning and general development. The Engineering Department administers stormwater regulations and oversees utility and infrastructure installation. The Downtown Development Department facilitates commercial development in the historic downtown center.

Future City: City of Florence Comprehensive Plan 

The City of Florence Comprehensive Plan is an expression of our community's vision for the future as well as a guiding document on how best to achieve that vision. In January 2020 the City of Florence began working with Kendig Keast Collaborative to develop the next version of the Comprehensive Plan as required by state law. Following the delays caused by Covid restrictions, the final version is now complete and was approved by the City of Florence Planning Commission and adopted by Florence City Council on June 12, 2023. The Comprehensive Plan and Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map are now available. 

Downtown Florence 2030

Completed in conjunction with the Florence Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Florence 2030  recognizes the principles outlined in the previous Master Plans adopted in 2006, 2011, and 2015, and builds from the success of work completed by the City of Florence staff and community. The Master Plan presents an overall vision of the growth and development of the downtown and outlines key goals and initiatives established to move our downtown forward.