NEW BUSINESS  16.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

HISTORY:

On January 16, 2019, at the request of Commissioner John Elizabeth Aleman, the City Commission referred the subject discussion item to the Land Use and Development Committee and the Finance and City Wide Projects Committee (Item R9T).  The Land Use Committee discussed the item on February 20, 2019 and recommended in favor of comprehensive amendments to the land development regulations and the creation of a resiliency code.

ANALYSIS:

The current land development regulations of the City Code were adopted in 1989. Since that time a number of individual, and often overlapping, amendments to the development regulations have been adopted. In order to eliminate current overlaps and inconsistencies throughout the code, the administration believes that a comprehensive re-write of the land development regulations would be in order. Specifically, the following would be part of this endeavor:

1.    The existing requirements of the code, pertaining to allowable uses, zoning districts and FAR would remain the same, but would be part of a comprehensive re-formatting of the regulations for clarity and consistency purposes.

2.    The code will be framed within a comprehensive resiliency framework. This will allow for a detailed analysis of all sections of the code to ensure that a resilient and sustainable approach will be taken for all future development within the city.

In order to effectuate this endeavor, an outside consultant, with expertise in smart – resilient development regulations will be needed. The administration estimates that the total cost will be between $500,000 and $700,000. This would include all analysis, drafting and public meetings. Planning staff will be involved and supervise all of the functions of the chosen consultant.

As part of the upcoming budget process, the administration will be recommending that this proposal be a budgeted priority for fiscal year 2020. Given the overall cost, an RFP will likely be required, and the administration would further recommend that the procurement process start immediately, so that a consultant is in place prior to the start of the 2020 fiscal year, and can start working immediately.

CONCLUSION:

The Administration recommends the following:

1.    That the Finance and City Wide Projects Committee endorse the proposal to create a resiliency code, including specific recommendations with regard to how pink zones may fit within a revised code.

2.    The funding for the proposal be made a budget priority for the fiscal year 2020 budget.