Placement: Second Reading of Ordinances / Public Hearing
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Ordinance 23-76, Public Hearing, An Ordinance of the City of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Amending the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Port St. Lucie to Provide a Large-Scale Amendment Consisting of Text Amendments to the Transportation Element by Deleting Policy 2.4.1.5 and Adding Goal 2.7, Objectives 2.7.1 and 2.7.2, Policies 2.7.1.1 to 2.7.1.5 and Policies 2.7.2.1 to 2.7.2.4 (P23-182)
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Submitted By: Bridget Kean, AICP, Deputy Director
Strategic Plan Link: The City’s Mission to plan for smart and balanced growth.
Executive Summary (General Business): This is the adoption hearing for a City initiated large scale comprehensive plan text amendment to the Transportation Element of the City’s comprehensive plan. The application will amend the goals, objectives, and policies of the Transportation Element to reflect of the City’s adoption of a mobility plan and a mobility fee. The proposed amendment will delete Policy 2.4.1.5 and add Goal 2.7, Objective 2.7.1 Policies 2.7.1.1.to 2.7.1.5, Objective 2.7.2 and Policies 2.7.2.1 to 2.7.2.4.
A transmittal hearing was held on November 27, 2023. The proposed amendment was transmitted to the Florida Department of Commerce, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC), Florida Department of Transportation, St. Lucie County, and other reviewing agencies.
One change was made to the proposed amendment since the transmittal hearing. Additional text was added to proposed Policy 2.7.1.5 in recognition of the City’s adoption of amendments to the Zoning Code and Subdivision Code regarding the minimum number of access points for residential development. The code changes reference the National Fire Protection Association and other standards. Similar text was added to the proposed Policy 2.7.1.5. The additional text is shown in bold below:
Proposed Policy 2.7.1.5: Development shall be required to construct mobility and multimodal corridors shown on the Mobility Plan that are internal to the development or that are adjacent to an external property boundary to ensure connectivity, the dispersal of trips, and adequate access for first responders consistent with either the latest National Fire Protection Association requirements, a traffic study conducted and accepted by the City, or as required by the Fire Marshall, whichever is more stringent.
Presentation Information: Staff will provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council adopt the amendment as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and adopt the amendment.
2. Move that the Council not approve the amendment and provide staff direction
Background: The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of the proposed amendment at the November 7, 2023 Planning and Zoning Board meeting.
The proposed amendment was prepared with assistance from the City’s mobility consultant, the City’s transportation consultant, and the Public Works Department. The City’s comprehensive plan will be further amended to address mobility when the City undertakes a complete update of its comprehensive plan in 2024.
Issues/Analysis: The Florida Department of Commerce, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC), and other State reviewing agencies had no comments regarding the proposed amendment. St. Lucie County did provide a letter to the Department of Commerce suggesting a revision to proposed Policy 2.7.1.4. Proposed Policy 2.7.1.4 addresses the need for development to mitigate it’s impacts through the payment of a mobility fee to the City and the payment of a portion of the County’s transportation impact fee consistent with adopted and valid interlocal agreements between the City and the County. It also states that payment of the Mobility Fee shall not relieve developments of development order or developer agreement requirements for monitoring impacts, constructing improvements, or being required to construct future improvements to mitigate impacts.
The County suggested additional language be added to the amendment as noted below with the county’s proposed changes shown as underline text:
Policy 2.7.1.4: Development shall mitigate its impacts to the City's transportation system through payment of a Mobility Fee to the City. Development shall also be required to mitigate its impacts to the County's transportation system as identified in the County's Comprehensive Plan or by the FDOT through payment of a portion of the County's transportation impact fee, based on an Impact Fee Study updated at least once every five (5) years, consistent with adopted and valid interlocal agreements between the City and the County. Payment of the Mobility Fee shall not relieve developments of development order or developer agreement requirements for monitoring impacts, constructing improvements, or being required to construct future improvements to mitigate impacts.
City staff discussed the County’s proposed language with the City’s Mobility Consultant. It was agreed that the policy as proposed by the City is the most appropriate process to address transportation mitigation and coordination related to impact fees and mobility fees between the City and the County and no changes are required. The county’s letter and the City’s response are included in the submittal packet.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: N/A
Attachments:
1. Ordinance
2. Exhibit “A”
3. Staff Report
4. Application
5. Florida Department of Commerce, TCRPC, and Agency Review Comments
6. St Lucie County Letter to Florida Department of Commerce
7. City of Port St. Lucie Response Letter to St. Lucie County
8. Staff Presentation
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 23297-02
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Russell Ward, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, Interim City Attorney.