2.4 (2)  Future Land Use Element Analysis

a)                  An analysis of the amount of land that will be required to accommodate the projected future enrollment of the University, including:

1.      The categories of land use and their densities or intensities of use;

2.      The estimated gross acreage for each category; and

3.      A description of the methodology used.  The methodology should be based on floor area ratio (F.A.R.) or other acceptable means of establishing the relationship between land requirements and building areas.

1.      There are currently 1,415 acres of land which comprise the University of Central Florida’s main Campus, the uses of which vary.  A significant portion of these lands are undeveloped, or set aside as conservation lands, while academic and support programmed spaces are growing into a larger proportion of the total amount of land.  These academic and support categories of land are broken in subcategories for the purpose of this analysis. 

2.      However, it should be noted that in an environment as diverse as a University, land uses often blend into each other.  Support spaces are integrated within academic buildings to provide efficient services which complement each other.  Preserved lands are often available for passive recreational uses.  And it’s often a fine line between such categories such as academic and research, or academic and open space where outdoor classes take place.  Educational institutions are by their very nature mixed-use, places which foster an integration of the many facets which comprise the whole.

3.      With that in mind, for the purposes of this analysis, the following area calculations are based on current numbers provided by the University.  Each category holds forth its existing percentage of the total space, while the projections are tied exclusively to the NSF/FTE ratio.  GSF numbers are based on a 1.5 muliplier, and an  FAR (2.5) is used to calculate the gross area, to reflect a recommended six-story building height on future academic buildings.

        *Support Space are based on a 1.0 FAR.  No signifcant needs are projected for         2005 and 2010.

4.      The current generalized breakdown of the 1415 total campus acreage is as follows: (based on UCF analysis taken from an April, 2000 aerial photograph):

990.5 acres are in preserve or wetlands

424.5 acres of land are "developable"

Of the 424.5 developable acres, 293.6 acres are still available for development and 130.0 ac currently has impervious coverage (buildings and pavement).

b)                 An analysis of projected future space and building needs for academic facilities, developed in the “Analysis Requirements” of the Academic Facilities Element (tabular).

1.      The gross building area necessary to meet the growth demands has been projected for five and ten year planning periods.  Table 2.4(2)b) indicates the amount of gross square feet (GSF) required to satisfy the demand for space in the four categories listed.  The GSF projections are a result of increasing the assignable square footage for each category by a 1.5 multiplier.

*Study space is mostly, but not entirely, accounted for via the Library.  In that regard, recall Table 2.5(1)c) in the Academic Facilities Element showing Instructional Space-Use Standards for libraries, where besides the usual stack areas for books and journals, provision is made for reading rooms and study carrels.  The latter are classed as Study, but additional Study areas occur in scattered buildings across the campus.  (At the present writing, roughly 20% of main campus study areas are outside the Library.)

                                                (excluding temporary and leased space)

c)                  An analysis of projected future space and building needs for support facilities, developed in the “Analysis Requirements” of the Support Facilities Element (tabular).

1.      The gross building area necessary to meet growth demands has been projected for five and ten year planning periods.  Table 2.4(2)c) indicates the amount of gross square feet (GSF) required to satisfy the demand for space in the four categories listed.  The GSF projections are a result of increasing the assignable square footage for each category by a 1.5 multiplier.

                        (excluding temporary and leased space)

d)                 An analysis of existing vacant and undeveloped land on the University campus to determine its suitability for use, including where available:

1.      Gross vacant or undeveloped land area;

2.      Soils;

3.      Topography;

4.      Natural resources; and

5.      Historic and archaeological resources.

1.      There are no new additions to this section.  The 1995 plan has detailed soil, natural resource, and topography constraints, which still hold true for the purpose of the update.  There are no areas nor buildings on the UCF campus that are considered to be of archaeological or historical significance.

2.      Careful attention should be paid to the preservation of existing conservation and natural areas, and the prudent use of undeveloped land in the future.  In order to efficiently use the University’s land resources while allowing for the continuation of natural systems, future development should be relatively dense in character, and tie into the existing infrastructure on campus.  Efforts should be made minimize the impact on the arboretum.  Furthermore, attention should be paid to those locations where the impervious surface areas will not allow additional development.

e)                  An analysis of opportunities for redevelopment and for elimination of uses that are inconsistent with the University’s character and proposed future land uses.

1.      A significant opportunity for redevelopment lies in the area of the current Apollo Housing, next to the Student Resource Center.  Its relatively low ratio of beds per acre can be significantly increased to an amount similar to the nearby Apollo housing, without detracting from its overall livability.  Redevelopment of this area, while maintaining the current housing land use provides an opportunity to provide more housing on campus, while creating a quad area for the students.  Other uses for this space include a future academic building or quad, which certainly provides a viable option for the area, and should be considered by the University.

2.      Another opportunity for redevelopment occurs throughout the campus where older, low-rise structures currently stand.  Increasing density in these spaces is a more efficient use of land, while conserving land which would be needed to accommodate additional program.  Furthermore, more substantial buildings can be used to frame the formal open spaces which can be created around them, and provide visual context for the campus as a whole.

3.      The final 1995 strategy holds for this update.  Implementation of infill projects not only provide usable land, it will also present an opportunity to define open spaces on campus.

f)                   A finding as to whether each planned use of University property is consistent with the adopted conceptual State Lands Management Plan.

1.      The campus of the University of Central Florida is presently in compliance with State Land Management Plans are its planned future uses.  The role of UCF as an academic institution allows it a diverse range of uses, such as but not limited to educational, athletic and cultural uses.

g)                 If the analyses in 2 (a) – (e) indicate  that the existing University campus will not prove sufficient capacity to accommodate the future needs of the University, an analysis shall be undertaken identifying how much additional land would be required to meet future needs including:

1.      The categories of land use and their densities or intensities of use;

2.      The estimated gross acreage for each category; and

3.      A description of the methodology used.  The methodology should be based on floor area ration (F.A.R.) or other acceptable means of establishing the relationship between land requirements and building areas.

1.      Not applicable.  The University of Central Florida has sufficient land for future programmed needs, and no new land is necessary.

h)                 An assessment as to whether any portion of the University property should be declared surplus for release by the University for use or disposal by the State.

1.      All of the land that comprises the University of Central Florida is considered essential to ensuring space for future growth.  Therefore, none of it is considered to be surplus.

i)                   In the event additional land is determined to be necessary for the future development of the University, an analysis of the context area shall be undertaken to identify potential land areas for such expansion.  This analysis shall consider, at a minimum, the following:

1.      Existing land use;

2.      Property values;

3.      Constraints that may limit future development;

4.      Future proposed land use;

5.      Building conditions (if appropriate);

6.      Property ownership; and

7.      Potential acquisition and relocation costs.

1.      Not applicable.  The University of Central Florida has sufficient land for future programmed needs, and no new land is necessary.

j)                   In conjunction with the analysis conducted in 2 (i), an analysis shall be undertaken identifying and evaluating alternatives to additional land acquisition.  At a minimum this analysis should address (narrative, graphic if appropriate):

1.      Potentials for increasing development height, intensity or density on the campus;

2.      Potentials for increasing the utilization of existing and future academic spaces to reduce future facility needs in order to fit within existing land resources;

3.      Potentials for reducing the planned future student enrollment;

4.      Potentials for transfer of programs to existing University satellite sites; and

5.