The LDC, as it is called, is the book of rules that governs development in Citrus County.

When Development Services Department Director Vince Cautero took over the department late last year, County Commission Chairman Dennis Damato and County Administrator charged him with rewriting the code.

Rewritten portions are now beginning their public review, and Cautero is inviting interested residents to take part.

So far, almost half the rewriting has been done, and Cautero’s goal is to have the rewriting done and the new code in place by the New Year.

His daunting mission was to streamline the 1,200 page code by getting rid of accumulated add-ons and complicating qualifications appended to the code over the years that bog down the development permitting system down to the point of, in some cases, making it burdensome.

He was directed to simplify and clarify the code and remove jargon so that ordinary residents have no problem following it and knowing what it requires in any given case. He was directed to take duplication, ambiguity, and unnecessary requirements out and replace it with clear and direct requirements -- explained and illustrated with photos and graphics so there is no doubt about what is being described or required.

The staff will combine wherever possible, and the 1,200 page document will probably lose as much as 300 pages when it’s done, even with the addition of the photos and graphics, and it will be much more customer and reader friendly, Cautero promised. The online version will also have many hyperlinks, referring the reader to related information to ensure a complete understanding.

Though it’s no easy task, he said, the job is a necessary one and is overdue. It will create a better, more streamlined document to make the development process easier while continuing to meet the comprehensive plan’s goals and objectives with the controls in place where needed.

The first group of five rewritten chapters will go to the Planning and Development Review Board (PDRB) for workshops on July 7 and 21, and Cautero said that as the review process continues, interested residents won’t be limited to discussing only the newly rewritten material.

He will welcome discussion of any part at any time during the reviews because he wants the final document to be the best it can. After going through workshops with the PDRB (it reviews development proposals and makes recommendation to the county commission), the revisions will go to the commission, which will give final approval after a series of public hearings, in which, Cautero said, residents can again offer their opinions to help shape the final version.

The PDRB meets at 9 a.m. at the Lecanto Government Building. Call 527-5239 for more information. To see draft revisions done so far, go to the county’s Webpage at www.bocc.citrus.fl.us and click “Departments” at the top, then “Development Services” and then “Land Development Code rewrite.”