One of the most common questions we get at SAGA is a deceptively simple one: “What’s coming next?” Everyone wants insight into what’s in the works for our community, be it a new business on a cleared plot of land, a new housing development across the street, or a new occupant in a vacant building. As a smaller community, when things change, we all notice, and are all affected.
Often, information on land use is public record. Builders and developers often need permits and permissions from local government for their projects, which means they usually need to submit significant documentation about their plans. Although this documentation is almost always public, finding and interpreting it can be difficult except for those with experience navigating the land use and permitting processes.
That’s why, last year, Sanford and Lee County launched a new tool to make it easier to stay informed about development proposals in our community. The Development Activity Interactive Map consolidates the information on proposed real estate development projects into one centralized, easy-to-use location. This Geographic Information System (GIS) gives anyone, regardless of familiarity with land use and zoning procedures, easy access to information about projects in our area. Size, location, approval dates and status, intended use, and more are all available at your fingertips.
Easy insight into where our area is growing is about more than satisfying curiosity. We all know that our area is growing, but how, and where? It probably isn’t surprising that, today, most of the proposed new development in Lee County is concentrated along the edge of the City of Sanford as it grows to meet the increasing demand. But understanding where exactly growth is poised to occur determines where new businesses should locate, how traffic patterns will change, where utility work may be on the horizon, or where new housing stock may soon be available.
By making development information more accessible and transparent, tools like the Community Development Map help residents, business owners, and community leaders better anticipate change and make informed decisions. As our area continues to grow, staying informed isn’t just helpful – it’s essential to the long-term success of our business community.