Submitted By: Tye Chighizola
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Presentation By: Tye Chighizola
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Open a public hearing and transmit a text amendment to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (Case No. CPTA23-45126) concerning criteria for the Medium Intensity/Special District Land Use Classification (Policy 6.2) of Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
Published on April 7, 2023, in the Ocala Star Banner
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BACKGROUND:
• Applicant: City of Ocala
The City is revising the Medium Intensity/Special District (Policy 6.2 of the Future Land Use Element) to clarify the zoning and design standards required to implement new development in these special districts identified in Objective 8 of the Future Land Use Element. Policy 6.2 was drafted when the comprehensive plan was updated in 2013 to incorporate the 2035 Vision Plan and the West Ocala Community Plan. The adopted language requiring an applicant to follow the form-based code was not clear concerning the guidelines/standards used to implement new development. In 2013, there were no form-based code requirements in the code of ordinances. In 2018, the Downtown Form-Based Code District was adopted consistent with the High-Intensity Land Use Classification.
The Medium Intensity/Special Districts include 785 parcels consisting of 3,125.88 acres. The revised language provides multiple options for the development or redevelopment of properties within the Medium Intensity/Special Districts, including the development of form-based code standards for the various special districts. The revised language includes the following:
“The character, function, and form of new buildings or development on vacant land shall be regulated by a form-based code zoning district that includes design standards adopted specifically for a Medium Intensity/Special District identified in Objective 8, a Planned Development (PD) zoning district that includes specific design standards related to the surrounding uses, or a Chapter 163 Development Agreement with specific design standards”.
The proposed language will allow flexibility concerning the zoning and standards needed to implement new development but still require standards that are beyond traditional zoning.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The proposed changes are consistent with the 2035 Vision Plan and West Ocala Community Plan. Staff recommends approval of the proposed text amendment. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 6 to 0 on Monday, April 10, 2023. The adoption hearing will be scheduled once after the amendment is reviewed by the state.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: This amendment will be reviewed and approved by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes
• Table
• Deny