CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: March 25, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Introduction of Ordinance No. 09-O-17, Suspending Site Plan Application Requirements for Governmental Capital Projects During Local Economic Emergency
TARGET ISSUE: Economic Development
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
On February 11, 2009, the City Commission approved an emergency ordinance (Ordinance No. 09-O-13) declaring a state of local economic emergency in the City of Tallahassee and, among other things, suspending certain permitting requirements for public entities for capital projects. The purpose of the suspension of permitting requirements was to enable breaking of ground on capital projects rapidly in order to help fuel the local economy. It has become apparent that, in order for the suspension of permitting requirements to accomplish the intended purpose, another step needs to be taken – the suspension of certain site plan submittal requirements for the governmental capital projects. The City Attorney’s Office has prepared an ordinance, Ordinance No. 09-O-17, amending the Land Development Code to suspend certain site plan submittal requirements during any period declared a Local Economic Emergency. (Attachment 1) The ordinance is before the City Commission for introduction and to set a public hearing.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve option 1. Introduce Ordinance No. 09-O-17, and set the public hearing date for Wednesday, April 29, 2009.
FISCAL IMPACT
It is hoped that suspension of site plan submittal requirements for governmental capital projects will help energize the local economy.
James R. English, City Attorney
For Information, please contact: Linda Hudson, Assistant City Attorney, Ext. 8554
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES
On February 11, 2009, the City Commission approved an emergency ordinance (Ordinance No. 09-O-13) declaring a state of local economic emergency in the City of Tallahassee and, among other things, suspending certain permitting requirements for public entities for capital projects. The purpose of the suspension of permitting requirements was to enable breaking of ground on capital projects rapidly in order to help fuel the local economy. It has become apparent that, in order for the suspension of permitting requirements to accomplish the intended purpose, another step needs to be taken – the suspension of certain site plan submittal requirements for the governmental capital projects. The City Attorney’s Office has prepared an ordinance, Ordinance No. 09-O-17, amending the Land Development Code to suspend certain site plan submittal requirements during any period declared a Local Economic Emergency. (Attachment 1) The ordinance is before the City Commission for introduction and to set a public hearing.
The proposed ordinance
OPTIONS
1. Introduce Ordinance No. 09-O-17, and set the public hearing date for Wednesday, April 29, 2009.
2. Introduce Ordinance No. 09-O-17, as revised by the City Commission, and set the public hearing date for Wednesday, April 29, 2009.
3. Do not Introduce Ordinance No. 09-O-17, and provide directions to staff.
ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES