CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: June 10, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Introduction of Ordinance No. 09-O-27; Proposed Amendment to the Tallahassee Land Development Code to Amend Chapter 10 to Create the Government Operational-1 and Government Operational-2 Zoning Districts.
TARGET ISSUE: Long-Range Community Planning.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
In order to implement the intent of the Government Operational Future Land Use Map (FLUM), 2 new zoning districts are hereby proposed to be added to the City of Tallahassee Land Development Code to specify uses and development standards (see Attachment #1). Land Use Policy 2.2.16 of the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan describes the “Government Operational” category of the FLUM as including a broad range of government community facilities (Attachment #2). These facilities range from public use buildings (e.g. police stations, museums, libraries) to light and heavy infrastructure relating to energy generation, water and sewer facilities and other public purposes.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Option 1: Introduce Ordinance No. 09-O-27; Proposed Amendment to the Tallahassee Land Development Code to amend Chapter 10 to create Government Operational-1 and Government Operational-2 Zoning Districts and set the City Commission public hearing dates for August 26, 2009 and October 28, 2009.
FISCAL IMPACT
This ordinance will be implemented through the existing land development process in the Growth Management Department with no new costs identified.
Wayne Tedder, Director, Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department
Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager
For information, please contact: Jay Schuck, Senior Planner, Phone: 891-6400.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES
History
March 16, 2009: The Long Range Target Issue Committee meeting was held and staff was directed to proceed with the agenda item.
June 10, 2009: Introduction of Ordinance No. 09-O-27.
July 7, 2009: The Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to review the proposed Ordinance No. 09-O-27 for consistency with the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan. A full report of the Planning Commission discussion will be provided in the public hearing agenda item.
August 26, 2009: The City Commission will hold the first of two public hearings on this item and set the second public hearing for October 28, 2009.
October 28, 2009: The City Commission will hold the second and final public hearing on this item.
Facts/Issues
The Government Operational future land use is currently mapped over a variety of zoning districts, which do not always conform to the existing FLUM designation. Examples are the Federal Prison (FCI) and the adjacent Department of Agriculture properties, which are zoned Residential (R-1) Likewise, and the T.P. Smith sewage treatment plant, which is zoned Light Industrial (M-1). Both of these existing zoning districts will not allow expansion of the existing uses. The proposed districts allow for a wide range of activities, create development standards that will conform to the varied uses, and create a tool to eliminate these other non-conforming uses.
These parcels in the Government Operational Future Land Use Map (FLUM) category are distributed over much of the developed portion of the Urban Services Area, and some lie outside of the urban area. Government Operational FLUM properties identified as Heavy Infrastructure are located away from population centers. Properties identified, as light infrastructure or governmental buildings are predominantly located within the urban area, often close to residential areas. Most of the remaining properties are uses such as drainage facilities, easements, and parks that are located throughout the community.
The land uses in the government operational FLUM are very similar to uses in other zoning districts, so existing development standards from other appropriate districts were copied; specifically, for office, other government buildings and light Industrial, the General Commercial (C-2) district was determined to be most appropriate and for heavy industrial uses, standards from the Industrial (I) district were determined to be most appropriate. However, these general district zoning standards only provide a baseline for regulation. The Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan and associated land development regulations enumerate higher standards of development for public facilities (which include all the parcels in the government operational FLUM) than they do for non-community services. These standards are contained in Section 10-413 of the City of Tallahassee Land Development Code (Attachment #3). All development in the proposed Government Operational (GO) zoning district will be subject to the section 10-413 standards including, but not limited to:
1) documentation of the need for the use;
2) documentation of neighborhood compatibility; and
3) documentation of compliance with the comprehensive plan.
One addition to the General Commercial (C-2) and Industrial District (I) development standards was added. Community services are not included in the buffer standards contained in section 10-177 of the Tallahassee Land Development Code. Therefore, buffer standards were added to the Government Operational (GO) zoning district standards in order to buffer surrounding residential and other land uses.
Public Notification and Response
This Land Development Regulation requires City Commission action. The Planning Department and City Treasurer-Clerk’s Office will advertise the Ordinance consistent with State Statutes and the Tallahassee Land Development Code.
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
Not applicable.
OPTIONS
1. Introduce Ordinance No. 09-O-27; Proposed Amendment to the Tallahassee Land Development Code, to amend Chapter 10 to create the Government Operational-1 and Government Operational-2 Zoning Districts and set the City Commission public hearing dates for August 26, 2009 and October 28, 2009.
2. Do not introduce Ordinance No. 09-O-27; Proposed Amendment to the Tallahassee Land Development Code, to amend Chapter 10 to create the Government Operational-1 and Governmental Operational-2 Zoning Districts.
3. Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES
Attachment 1: Proposed Ordinance No. 09-O-27
Attachment 2: Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan Land Use Policy 2.2.16
Attachment 3 City of Tallahassee Land Development Code Section 10-413