2021-10-26 Ex 05Ordinance No. 1233 - Page 1 of 4
Language to be added is underlined.
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ORDINANCE NO. 1233
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING
THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; AMENDING POLICY 2.1 OF THE
FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT BY ADDING SUBSECTION G,
DESIGNATING A COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR OVERLAY, DESCRIBING THE
COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR OVERLAY BOUNDARIES AS GENERALLY,
WITH EXCEPTIONS, THOSE PROPERTIES IN THE CITY WITHIN TWO
BLOCKS OF PARROTT AVENUE (U.S. HIGHWAY 441) AND NORTH PARK
STREET (STATE ROAD 70), DECLARING THE CITY’S PLANNING
ASPIRATIONS FOR PROPERTIES WITHIN AND ADJACENT TO THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE OVERLAY; AMENDING THE CITY’S FUTURE LAND
USE MAP, DEPICTING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE COMMERCIAL
CORRIDOR OVERLAY ON THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP; PROVIDING
FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, The City Of Okeechobee recognizes the need to plan for orderly growth and
development; and the State Legislature passed the Community Planning Act requiring
all local governments to prepare and adopt a Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, authorizes amendments to Adopted
Comprehensive Plans under the Expedited Review Process; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that Parrott Avenue (U.S. Highway 441) and North Park Street
(State Road 70) are the primary travel corridors within the City which have historically
been drivers of commercial uses to be developed along those roadways, serving as the
City’s de-facto commercial corridors; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to preserve and encourage the commercial development patterns
along those corridors to continue to serve the needs of the City’s residents and visitors
in ways that improve the quality of life within the City and promote a sustainable
economy and vibrant social experiences; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to eliminate any uncertainty as to the planning aspirations that the
City has for the commercial corridor areas, while still protecting private property rights
and retaining flexibility to approve development which is consistent with the City’s
Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Codes; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board, acting as the Local Planning Agency of the City of
Okeechobee, Florida, recently reviewed and discussed proposed Comprehensive Plan
Amendment No 21-001-CPA at duly advertised public hearings on July 15, 2021, and
September 16, 2021, determined such request to be consistent with the City’s
Comprehensive Plan, and recommends the City Council transmit the proposed
amendments to the State Land Planning Agency for review and approval, and
subsequent adoption by ordinance by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has agreed with the recommendation of the Planning Board and
finds that Comprehensive Plan Amendment 21-001-CPA complies with the
requirements of Florida Statutes 163, Part II, and that the proposed Application is
consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is ordained before the City Council for the City of Okeechobee, Florida;
presented at a duly advertised public meeting; and passed by majority vote of the City
Council; and properly executed by the Mayor or designee, as Chief Presiding Officer for
the City:
SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE.
THIS ORDINANCE shall be known as a "City of Okeechobee Comprehensive Plan
Amendment," pursuant to Florida Statutes 163.3184, regarding Application No. 21-001-
CPA and shall be effective within the City boundaries of the City of Okeechobee, Florida.
Ordinance No. 1233 - Page 2 of 4
Language to be added is underlined.
Language to be deleted is struck through.
SECTION 2: AUTHORITY.
This City of Okeechobee Comprehensive Plan Amendment is adopted pursuant to the
provisions of Chapter 163.3184, Florida Statutes.
SECTION 3: REVISIONS TO THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT.
The City Council for the City of Okeechobee, Florida amends herein the Future Land
Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan by modifying Policy 2.1 to read as follows:
g) Commercial Corridor Overlay. The City recognizes the importance of Parrott
Avenue (U.S. Highway 441) and North Park Street (State Road 70) as the City’s
primary commercial corridor roadways and desires to follow a considered, limited,
and consistent approach to encourage private sector development and expansion of
commercial, high density residential, and mixed-use opportunities in close proximity
to City’s major arterials. To this end, the City has identified those areas generally
within one to two blocks of each of these roadways, but as more specifically
delineated on Map 1.1 in the Future Land Use Map Series, as the Commercial
Corridor Overlay (CCO). To eliminate any uncertainty as to the desired pattern of
land use within the boundaries of the CCO, the City declares the following planning
aspirations for the CCO:
1. Improve the quality of life for the City’s residents and visitors by promoting
development and redevelopment within the CCO which contributes to a thriving
economic and cultural center with varied commercial opportunities, multi-family
housing options, and social venues.
2. Foster infill and compatibility with existing development.
3. Encourage transitional development patterns with gradually lessening intensity
outward from the corridors toward the low density residential neighborhoods.
4. Consider rezoning requests within and adjacent to the CCO in light of the City’s
stated goals for the CCO.
SECTION 3: REVISIONS TO THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP.
The City Council for the City of Okeechobee, Florida amends herein the Future Land
Use Map 1.1 of the Comprehensive Plan by designating a Commercial Corridor Overlay
(CCO) herein attached as Exhibit A.
SECTION 4: INCLUSION OF ORDINANCE AND REVISED FUTURE LAND USE MAP IN
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
It is the intention of the City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida that the
provisions of this Ordinance, and the revisions to the Future Land Use Element and the
Future Land Use Map which are incorporated herein by reference, shall become and be
made a part of the City of Okeechobee Comprehensive Plan (City of Okeechobee
Ordinance No. 635, as amended).
SECTION 5: CONFLICT.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
SECTION 6: SEVERABILITY.
If any provision or portion of this ordinance is declared by any court of competent
jurisdiction to be void, unconstitutional, or unenforceable, then all remaining provisions
and portions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Ordinance No. 1233 - Page 3 of 4
Language to be added is underlined.
Language to be deleted is struck through.
SECTION 7: EFFECTIVE DATE.
The effective date of this plan amendment, if the amendment is not timely challenged,
shall be 31 days after the State Land Planning Agency notifies the local government that
the plan amendment package is complete. If timely challenged, this amendment shall
become effective on the date the State Land Planning Agency or the Administration
Commission enters a final order determining this adopted amendment to be in
compliance. No development orders, development permits, or land uses dependent on
this amendment may be issued or commence before it has become effective. If a final
order of noncompliance is issued by the Administration Commission, this amendment
may nevertheless be made effective by adoption of a resolution affirming its effective
status, a copy of which resolution shall be sent to the State Land Planning Agency.
INTRODUCED for first reading of the ordinance for transmittal to the Stale Land Planning
Agency at a public hearing this 26th day of October 2021, pursuant to Florida Statutes
163.3184.
Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk
PASSED AND ADOPTED after Second and Final Public Hearing this ____ day of
__________________ 20_____, pursuant to Florida Statutes 163.3184.
Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
John J. Fumero, City Attorney
Ordinance No. 1233 - Page 4 of 4
EXHIBIT A
FUTURE LAND USE MAP 1.1
DRAFT September 16, 2021, Planning Board and Workshop Meeting Page 1 of 4
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
PLANNING BOARD AND WORKSHOP MEETING
SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
SUMMARY OF BOARD ACTION
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Hoover called the regular and workshop meeting of the Planning Board for
the City of Okeechobee to order on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at 6:53 P.M. in the
City Council Chambers, located at 55 Southeast Third Avenue, Room 200,
Okeechobee, Florida.
II. ATTENDANCE
Roll was taken by Board Secretary Patty Burnette. Chairperson Dawn Hoover, Board
Members Phil Baughman, Karyne Brass, Mac Jonassaint, and Alternate Board Member
Joe Papasso were present. Vice Chairperson Doug McCoy, Board Member Rick
Chartier and Alternate Board Member Jim Shaw were absent with consent. Chairperson
Hoover moved Alternate Board Member Papasso to voting position.
III. AGENDA
There were no items added, deferred, or withdrawn from the agenda.
Motion by Board Member Jonassaint, seconded by Board Member Baughman to
approve the agenda as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously.
There were no comment cards submitted for public participation.
IV. MINUTES
Motion by Alternate Board Member Papasso, seconded by Board Member
Baughman to dispense with the reading and approve the August 19, 2021,
Regular Meeting minutes. Motion Carried Unanimously.
V. CHAIRPERSON HOOVER OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:55 P.M.
Comprehensive Plan Small Scale Future Land Use Map (FLUM) Amendment
Application No. 21-006-SSA, from Industrial to Commercial on 0.651± acres
located at 804 North Parrott Avenue, Lots 11 to 14, of Block 49, CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE, Plat Book 5, Page 5, Public Records of Okeechobee County.
1. City Planning Consultant Mr. Ben Smith of LaRue Planning and
Management Services reviewed the Planning Staff Report recommending
approval.
2. Mrs. Monica Clark, Registered Agent of the Property Owner, Glades Gas
Company of Okeechobee, Inc., was present and briefly explained the
propane side of the business sold, and the remaining individual rental units
are limited to certain uses with the current Industrial designation. By
changing the FLUM and Zoning designations, other uses would be
permitted, like a medical office. The board had no questions.
3. There were no public comments offered.
4. There were no Ex-Parte disclosures offered.
5. Motion by Board Member Baughman, seconded by Alternate Board
Member Papasso to recommend to the City Council approval of
Comprehensive Plan Small Scale FLUM Amendment Application No. 21-
006-SSA as presented in [Exhibit 1, which includes the findings as
required for granting applications per Code Section 70-340; and the
Planning Consultant’s analysis of the findings and recommendation for
approval]. Motion Carried Unanimously. The recommendation will be
forwarded to the City Council for consideration at a Public Hearing
tentatively scheduled for October 19, 2021.
Continued from the July 15, 2021, meeting, Comprehensive Plan Text
Amendment No. 21-001-CPA, which proposes to amend the City’s FLUM and
textual amendments to the Future Land Use (FLU) Element of the City’s
Comprehensive Plan.
1. City Planning Consultant Smith reviewed the Planning Staff Report
recommending approval.
2. There was no board discussion.
3. There were no public comments offered.
DRAFT September 16, 2021, Planning Board and Workshop Meeting Page 2 of 4
V. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS CONTINUED
4. There were no Ex-Parte disclosures offered.
5. Motion by Board Member Jonassaint, seconded by Alternant Board
Member Papasso to recommend the City Council find proposed
Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 21-001-CPA consistent with the
City’s Comprehensive Plan and transmit the Amendment to the Florida
Department of Economic Opportunity for review and approval as
presented in [Exhibit 2, which includes the Planning Consultant’s analysis
of the findings and recommendation for approval]. Motion Carried
Unanimously. The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council
for consideration at a Transmittal Public Hearing tentatively scheduled for
October 19, 2021.
Consider Land Development Regulation (LDR) Text Amendment Petition No. 21-
003-TA, which proposes to amend Sections 86-2, 86-3, 86-4, 86-71, 86-90, and
86-91, creating a new Article V and adding Section 86-92, amending Form 18 in
Appendix A, and adding an application fee to Appendix C.
1. City Planning Consultant Smith reviewed the Planning Staff Report
recommending approval.
2. Board Member Brass inquired as to why the words “in writing” were only
used in Section 86-90 (c)(4) and not also in Section 86-91 (c)(4). Planner
Smith commented the words “in writing” should be reflected in both places.
3. Mr. Steven Dobbs commented when joining more than one parcel it can
be expensive. For instance, he recently submitted a request directly to the
Property Appraiser’s Office to join four parcels for Okeechobee County in
regard to a proposed expansion project for the Sheriff’s Office. Planner
Smith commented he had reached out to other jurisdictions to inquire
about their process and most times approval was needed first before the
Property Appraiser’s Office would shift the property lines. Okeechobee
County does not require this approval first.
4. There were no Ex-Parte disclosures offered.
5. Motion by Board Member Baughman, seconded by Board Member
Jonassaint to recommend approval to the City Council for LDR Text
Amendment Petition No. 21-003-TA as presented in [Exhibit 3, which
includes the Planning Consultant’s analysis of the findings and
recommendation for approval] with the words “in writing” included in both
Sections 86-90 (c)(4) and 86-91 (c)(4). Motion Carried Unanimously.
The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for
consideration at Public Hearings tentatively scheduled for October 19,
2021, and November 16, 2021.
QUASI-JUDICIAL ITEMS
Rezoning Petition No. 21-004-R, from Industrial to Heavy Commercial on 0.651±
acres located at 804 North Parrott Avenue, Lots 11 to 14, of Block 49, CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE, Plat Book 5, Page 5, Public Records of Okeechobee County to
make the property compatible with the commercial corridor.
1. Notary Public Patty Burnette administered an oath to Mr. Steven Dobbs,
1062 Jakes Way, Okeechobee, Florida, Mrs. Monica Clark, 804 North
Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, and Mr. Ben Smith, LaRue Planning
and Management, 1375 Jackson Street, Suite 206, Fort Myers, Florida,
who responded affirmatively.
2. City Planning Consultant Smith reviewed the Planning Staff Report
recommending approval.
3. Mrs. Monica Clark, Registered Agent of the Property Owner, Glades Gas
Company of Okeechobee, Inc., was present and available for questions.
There were none.
4. There were no public comments offered.
5. There were no Ex-Parte disclosures offered.
6. Motion by Board Member Jonassaint, seconded by Board Member
Baughman to recommend to the City Council approval of Rezoning
Petition No. 21-004-R as presented in [Exhibit 4, which includes the
findings as required for granting petitions per Code Section 70-340, and
the Planning Consultant’s analysis of the findings and recommendation for
approval]. Motion Carried Unanimously. The recommendation will be
forwarded to the City Council for consideration at Public Hearings
tentatively scheduled for October 19, 2021, and November 16, 2021.
47
V. PUBLIC HEARING ITEIVIS CONTINUED
B. Abandonment of Right-of-Way Petition No. 21-002-AC, requests to vacate the 15-
feet wide by 299.34-feet Iong East to West alleyway lying between Lots 1 through 6
and 7 through 12 of Block 121, CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, Plat Books 1 and 5, Pages
10 and 5, Public Records of Okeechobee County.
1. City Planning Consultant Smith reviewed the Planning Staff Report
recommending approval.
2. Mr. Dobbs was present on behalf of the Property Owners, Shaun and Desiree
Penrod, and commented even though the Rezoning request to change the
zoning from Residential Single Family-One to RMF was denied by the City
Council, (F etition No. 21-003-R), his client still wished to proceed with the
abandonment request. He further commented his client was going to petition
the City Cc uncil to administratively rezone the parcel to CHV.
3. There were no public comments offered.
4. There were no Ex-Parte disclosures offered.
5. Motion by Member Chartier, seconded by Member Baughman to recommend
to the City Council approval of Abandonment of Right-of-Way Petition No.
21-002-AC as presented in [Exhibit 2, which includes the findings as required
for granting a vacation of rights-of-way petitions per Code Section 78-33;
Planning ronsultant's analysis of the findings and recommendation for
approval; and the TRC's recommendation to approve].with the following
conditions after abandonment the property will reflect the current FLU and
Zoning Map designations; FPL is requiring a 10-foot easement be provided
for the full 15-foot width of the subject right-of-way on the West side, adjacent
to Northeast 2"d Avenue; and Century Link has requested a condition that the
Applicant will bear the cost of relocation and repair any facilities that are
found and/or damaged in the vacated areas. Motion Carried. The
recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration at
Public He rings tentatively scheduled for August 3, 2021, and September 7,
2021.
C. Comprehensive F lan Small Scale Future Land Use Map Amendment Application
No. 21-004-SSA, from Single Family Residential to Industrial on 1.60± acres located
in the 500 Block af NW 7th Street.
1. City Planning Consultant Smith reviewed the Planning Staff Report
recommending approval.
2. There were no comments offered by the Property Owner or Agent.
3. There were no public comments offered.
4. There were no Ex-Parte disclosures offered.
5. Motion by Member Jonassaint, seconded by Member Baughman to
recommend to the City Council approval of Comprehensive Plan Small Scale
Future Land Use Map Amendment Application No. 21-004-SSA as presented
in [Exhibit 3, which includes the findings as required for granting applications
per Code Section 70-340; and the Planning ConsultanYs analysis of the
findings and recommendation for approval]. Motion Carried Unanimously.
The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration
at a Public Hearing tentatively scheduled for August 17, 2021.
D. Comprehensive F'lan Text Amendment No. 21-001-CPA, which proposes to amend
the City's Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and textual amendments to the FLU
Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan.
1. City Planning Consultant Smith reviewed the Planning Staff Report
recommending approval. He explained on June 29, 2021, House Bill 59
became la r. It basically requires every city to adopt a Property Rights section
into their Comprehensive Plan before any other Comprehensive Plan
Amendments that were not initiated prior to July 1, 2021, can be adopted.
Both he and the City Attorney feel this proposed amendment was initiated
before then although the Department of Economic Opportunity does not. This
Board can either make their recommendation to the City Council on this
Amendment tonight or continue it until a date certain to allow time for Staff to
bring forth the proposed Property Rights Element for recommendation.
July 15, 2021, Planning Board Meeting Page 2 of 3
I •
V. PUBLIC HEARING ITEIVI D CONTINUED
2. The Board inquired as to whether they could just recommend to the City
Council for approval of the Property Rights Element as discussed and what
could happen if they made a motion to continue Amendment No. 21-001-
CPA to an ther meeting in the future. Planner Smith commented the Property
Rights information would need to be advertised before action can take place.
Should th Board wish to continue No. 21-001-CPA to a date certain then no
additional advertising would be required.
3. There were no public comments offered.
4. There were no Ex-Parte disclosures offered.
5. Motion by Member Baughman, seconded by Alternate Board Member
Papasso to continue Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment No. 21-001-
CPA, as presented in Exhibit 4 until the September 16, 2021, meeting to allow
time for the required amendment for the Property Rights Element to be
presented. Motion Carried Unanimously.
CHAIRPERSON HOOVER CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:42 P.M.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Planner Smith briefly discussed a potential development and some proposed
changes to the Land Development Regulations he would be preparing for a
workshop regarding the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Zoning Districts. He
explained it would be positive for the city to bring forth a new PUD section which
would allow som flexibility and bring forth some new projects. The Board offered
some suggestion as to mimicking areas where PUD changes have been successful
once allowances were opened and mixed uses were added.
VII. Chairperson Hoover adj urned the meeting at 6:56 P.M.
Submitted by:
I- (3 c vr tte
Patty M. Burnette, Secretary
Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning Board with
respect to any matter considered at this proceeding, he/she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding
is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. General Services'
media are for the sole purpose of backup for official records.
July 15, 2021, Planning Board Meeting Page 3 of 3
L.
PUBLIC HEARING QUASI-JUDICIAL ITEMS
C. Rezoning Petition No. 21-002-R, from Light Commercial to Residential Multiple
Family (RMF) on 1.929± acres located at 309 Northeast 4th Street, for the
proposed use of an apartment development.
1. Oath #or testimony was administered to Mr. Steven Dobbs, 209 Northeast
2"d Street, Okeechobee, Florida.
2. City Planning Consultant Smith reviewed the Planning Staff Report
recommending approval.
3. There were no comments offered by the Property Owner or Agent.
4. There were no public comments offered.
5. There were no Ex-Parte disclosures offered.
6. Motion by Member Chartier, seconded by Member Jonassaint to
recommend to the City Council Rezoning Petition No. 21-002-R as
presented in Exhibit 3. Motion Carried Unanimously. The
recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration at
Public Hearings tentatively scheduled for June 15, 2021, and July 6, 2021.
D. Rezoning Petition No. 21-003-R, from Residential Single Family One to RMF on
2.066± acres lo ated in the 200 Block of Northeast 3 d Street, for the proposed
use of an apartment development.
1. Oath for t stimony was administered to Mr. Steven Dobbs, 209 Northeast
2"d Street, Okeechobee, Florida.
2. City Planning Consultant Smith reviewed the Planning Staff Report
recommending approval.
3. There were no comments offered by the Property Owner or Agent.
4. There were no public comments offered.
5. There were no Ex-Parte disclosures offered.
6. Motion f y Member Brass, seconded by Member Baughman to
recommend to the City Council Rezoning Petition No. 21-003-R as
presentecf in Exhibit 4. Motion Carried Unanimously. The
recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration at
Public Hearings tentatively scheduled for June 15, 2021, and July 6, 2021.
CHAIRPERSON HOO ER CLOSED THE PULIC HEARING AT 6:35 P.M.
VI. CHAIRPERSON HOO ER RECESSED THE REGULAR MEETING AND CONVENED
THE WORKSHOP AT Ei:35 P.M.
A. City Planning Consultant Smith briefly reviewed the Staff Report regarding an
amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan to create a Commercial Corridor
Overlay (CCO). In May of 2013, the Planning Board recommended to the City
Council adoption of a proposed amendment with restrictions on rezonings that
may be approveci within that Overlay. That amendment was never adopted. Staff
had an opportunity to review that previously proposed amendment and after
suggestions from Board Members at a Planning Board Workshop last month, is
bringing back amended language. This proposed amendment would define the
commercial corridor for planning purposes and provide aspirational guidelines
and objectives for development and redevelopment along the City's major
corridors. However, it would not burden that area with any additional
requirements or rigid limitations. Additionally, changes were made to the
previously proposed boundaries of the overlay after the Board discussed and
suggested those as well.
The consensus of the Board was to move forward with the Planner's proposal.
The proposed Cr0 amendment is: The City recognizes the importance of North
Park Street (SR-70) and Parrott Avenue (US-441) as the City's primary
commercial corridor roadways and desires to follow a considered, limited, and
consistent approach to encourage private sector development and expansion of
commercial, high density residential, and mixed-use opportunities in close
proximity to City's major arterials. To this end, the City has identified those areas
generally within one to two blocks of each of these roadways, but as more
specifically delin ated on Map 1.2 in the FLUM Series, as the CCO.
May 20, 20:>_1 Planning Board & Workshop Meeting Page 2 of 3
45
VI. WORKSHOP ITEM CO NTINUED
To eliminate arn,r uncertainty as to the desired pattern of land use within the
boundaries of the CCO, the City declares the following planning aspirations for
the CCO: Improve the quality of life for the City's residents and visitors by
promoting development and redevelopment within the CCO which contributes to
a thriving econamic and cultural center with varied commercial opportunities,
housing options, and social venues, foster infill and compatibility with existing
development, encourage transitional development patterns with gradually
lessening intensuty outward from the corridors toward the low density residential
neighborhoods, nd consider rezoning requests within and adjacent to the CCO
in light of the City's stated goals for the CCO.
CHAIRPERSON HOO\/ER ADJOURNED THE WORKSHOP AND RECONVENED
THE REGULAR MEETING AT 6:47 P.M.
VII. Chairperson Hoover adjourned the meeting at 6:47 P.M.
Submitted by:
Z I. ,-e-
Pat urnette SecretaY rY
Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning Board
with respect to any matter considered at this proceeding, he/she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the
proceeding is made, which recard includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. General
Services' media are for the sole purpose of backup for official records.
May 20, 2021 Planning Board & Workshop Meeting Page 3 of 3
►
.
`1 � --r � � � _ � ��
� � �
Staff Report
To:
From:
Meeting Date:
Subject:
Okeechobee Planning Board
Ben Smith, AICP
June 17, 2021
Commercial Corridor Overlay Comprehensive Plan Amendment
In May of 2013, the Planning Board recommended to the City Council adoption of an amendment
to the City's Comprehensive Plan to create a Commercial Corridor Overlay which included
restrictions on rezonings that could be approved within that Overlay. That amendment was never
adopted by the City Council. Staff had an opportunity to review that previously proposed
amendment and brought it back to a Planning Board workshop, along with some additional corridor
planning options to consider. After discussion of the various options, the Board suggested that staff
bring back amendment language that would define the commercial corridor for planning purposes
and provide aspirational guidelines and objectives for development and redevelopment along the
City's major corridors, but that would not burden that area with any additional requirements or rigid
limitations. Additionally, the Board discussed the previously proposed boundaries of the overlay
and suggested changes to that as well.
Attached is a proposed Ordinance to amend the Future Land Use Element and the Future Land
Use Map of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of this amendment is to assist the
Planning Board and Council when making determinations on requests for rezoning and amending
the future land use map, while still allowing for flexibility in that decision making process as needed.
Additionally, as the city continues to pursue the initiative of correcting the existing map
inconsistencies between the future land use map and the zoning map, an amendment such as this
would provide another tool to help guide the City's efforts in identifying appropriate map changes.
This amendment also provides property owners and potential developers with a more certain
understanding of the City's preferred development patterns for the commercial corridor areas.
No changes are proposed to the City's Zoning Map at this time. However, please see attached
zoning map with the proposed boundary of the Overlay depicted, which is provided for reference
purposes only.
If the Planning Board, acting as City's Local Planning Agency, agrees that the text and map
changes in this proposed amendment are desirable and consistent with the City's Comprehensive
Plan, we request that they recommend that the City Council transmit this amendment to the Florida
Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), which is the state land planning agency.
If the City Council also agrees that this proposed amendment is desirable and consistent with the
City's Comprehensive Plan, then they may vote to transmit to DEO. Once the state and various
agencies (FDOT, FDEP, SFWMD, etc.) have had 30 days to review the amendment, if there are
no objections, then the City Council may adopt the amendment at a final public hearing.
Provic�ing Planning and managem�nt so�utions �or �oca� .�Q. overnments
� 375 Jac�cson Street, Suite 206 �ort Myers, FL 3390 � 239-334-3366 www.�aruePlanning.com