| | | | | | | |  | Committee Assignments - C4 A
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM |
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| | | | | | | | | TO: | Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission | | | FROM: | Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager | | | DATE: | June 24, 2020 | | | |
| | SUBJECT: | REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD - ORDINANCE AMENDMENT PERTAINING TO THE ROLE OF THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD IN NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. |
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| | | | | | | | RECOMMENDATION
| | The administration recommends that the City Commission refer the attached draft ordinance to the Planning Board. |
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| | | | | | | | BACKGROUND/HISTORY
| On April 11, 2018, at the request of Commissioner Mark Samuelian, the City Commission referred the discussion item to the Land Use and Development Committee (Item C4N). On May 23, 2018, the LUDC discussed the item and continued it to a date certain of July 18, 2018, with direction to staff to look at different potential options. On July 18, 2018 the item was deferred to September 28, 2018.
On September 28, 2018 the item was deferred to the December 2018 LUDC meeting. Since the December 2018 LUDC was cancelled, the item was moved to the January 2019 LUDC agenda. The January 2019 LUDC agenda was moved to February 20, 2019.
On February 20, 2019, the item was deferred to the April 3, 2019 LUDC meeting. On April 3, 2019 the item was continued to the May 22, 2019 LUDC. On May 22, 2019 the item was deferred to the June 12, 2019 LUDC. On June 12, 2019 the item was deferred to the July 24, 2019 LUDC. On July 24, 2019 the item was deferred to the September 18, 2019 LUDC.
On September 18, 2019 the item was deferred to the December 2, 2019 LUDC. The December 2, 2019 LUDC was cancelled, and the item was moved to the January 21, 2020 agenda of the newly created Land Use and Sustainability Committee (LUSC). On January 21, 2020 the item was deferred to the February 18, 2020 LUSC. On February 18, 2020 the item was deferred to the March 17, 2020 LUSC. The March 17, 2020 LUSC meeting was postponed and the item was moved to the May 6, 2020 agenda.
On May 6,2020 the LUSC discussed the item and recommended that the City Commission refer an ordinance to the Planning Board that includes the following:
1. Establish a procedure for DRB advisory review of certain types of right-of-way and neighborhood projects.
2. Goal is to elevate aesthetics.
3. Establish a timeframe for the review by the DRB, as well as a process for the City Manager to seek a waiver from the advisory review by the City Commission.
4. Types of projects subject to advisory review would be above ground improvements.
5. Establish a public notice project. |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| The proposed referral is for an amendment to Sec. 118-252 of the Land Development Regulations, to create a non-binding process for advisory review by the Design Review Board (DRB) for City neighborhood projects. The administration has prepared two versions of the ordinance, both of which reflect the direction of the LUSC provided on May 6, 2020. The first version of the ordinance (version A), includes additional provisions requested by the item sponsor. The alternate version of the ordinance (version B) is being recommended by the administration.
Both versions of the ordinance include the following:
• Scope of City neighborhood projects for advisory review by the DRB:
1. The location and screening of above ground infrastructure.
2. The design of new street lighting.
3. The above ground design of non-standard materials for newly constructed sidewalks, streets and crosswalks.
4. The above ground design of new roadway medians, traffic circles and plazas.
5. Protected bike lanes.
6. Pedestrian bridges.
• The DRB would need to review an applicable project and provide an advisory recommendation within 35 days of the first Board meeting at which the project is reviewed. The recommendation of the DRB would be transmitted to the City Commission via Letter to Commission. Additionally, upon a written recommendation of the City Manager, the City Commission may, by majority vote, waive the DRB advisory review requirement if the City Commission finds such waiver to be in the best interest of the City.
• The advisory review would be noticed by publication in a newspaper of general circulation at least 15 days in advance of the DRB meeting.
• The advisory review by the DRB would not be required for the following:
1. Emergency work.
2. Cross-walk projects that address ADA and Florida Accessibility Compliance.
3. Lighting improvements to address safety concerns.
4. Routine maintenance and utility repair work.
5. Projects for which a notice to proceed for construction has been issued by September 30, 2020.
Version B of the ordinance, recommended by the administration, includes the following additional exception to DRB advisory review:
• Projects for which an agreement has been approved by the City Commission on or before September 30, 2020.
Version A of the draft ordinance contains the following additional provisions, as requested by the item sponsor:
• Stormwater pump stations and related apparatus are included as part of the advisory review. Additionally, for stormwater pump stations and related apparatus, notice shall be posted on the land subject to the application and mailed to owners of record of land lying within 375 feet of the land pursuant to Section 118-8.
• Roadway elevations in excess of six inches above the existing crown of road are included as part of the advisory review.
• Master neighborhood improvement plans which involve and integrate the scope of projects noted above are included as part of the advisory review.
The administration does not have any objection to the concept behind the proposed ordinance. However, in order to ensure that the DRB review is for projects that are substantially above ground, and primarily for aesthetics, it is recommend that version B of the proposal move forward.
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION
| | The administration recommends that the City Commission refer version B of the attached draft ordinance to the Planning Board. |
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | Yes | | No | |
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| | | | | | | | Legislative Tracking
Planning |
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| | | | | | | | Sponsor
Commissioner Mark Samuelian |
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