Placement: Second Reading of Ordinances / Public Hearing
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Ordinance 23-52, Public Hearing, An Ordinance Amending the City of Port St. Lucie Code of Ordinances Title XV, “Land Usage”, Chapter 156 “Subdivision Regulations”, Article VI “Design and Improvement; Model Standards; Principles and Guidelines”; Sec. 156.094 “Subdivision and Lot Access” in Order to Set the Minimum Number of Access Points for Residential Developments.
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Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, Planner III
Strategic Plan Link: The City’s Mission to plan for smart and balanced growth.
Executive Summary (General Business): The purpose of this amendment is to establish standards for the minimum number of access points for residential developments. The amendment intends to address secondary access requirements for developments as determined per the National Fire Protection Association 1141 Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Wildland, Rural, and Suburban Areas, 2017 Edition (NFPA 1141); or as determined by a traffic study, or the Fire Marshall, whichever is more stringent.
Presentation Information: The Planning and/or Public Works Departments may provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the revised ordinance.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the revised ordinance.
2. Move that the Council deny the revised ordinance and provide staff direction.
Background: At the 2023 Winter Workshop, Council directed that staff provide minimum vehicular access standards for residential developments. The Public Works Department presented recommendations by way of a special presentation during the June 26, 2023, Regular City Council meeting.
At the August 28th City Council meeting, Public Works and the Planning & Zoning Departments presented proposed text amendments to City Code Sections 156.094, 158.172, 158.187, and 158.222 establishing minimum requirements for dwelling unit thresholds and the required number of vehicular access standards for residential subdivisions. During this City Council meeting, City Council requested that staff conduct a residential stakeholder meeting to solicit feedback from the Residential Development Community. Staff solicited feedback from the Residential Development Community via email, and held a stakeholder meeting virtually on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
During the written feedback period, and the stakeholder meeting, the thresholds provided from the Residential Development Community varied greatly with no consistency being provided from the stakeholders on their perceived acceptable dwelling unit thresholds. Additionally, during this period the Building Department provided us with additional information on access management standards as set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
City Staff evaluated all the feedback provided both written and from the stakeholder meeting, as well as the new NFPA information provided to us by the Building Department. Coordination also took place with the Fire District to evaluate the newly provided NFPA standard information. Staff then determined that the best route to setting the minimum thresholds for vehicular access standards for residential subdivisions, should follow the thresholds already established by the NFPA 1141 Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Wildland, Rural, and Suburban Areas, 2017 Edition, Chapter 5 Means of Access (NFPA 1141). It is our understanding that this is already required per the Florida Building Code, as the Florida Building Code adopted the NFPA standards, and the Fire District also supported utilizing these NFPA 1141 thresholds.
Meeting History:
• A virtual workshop was conducted on September 7, 2023 to obtain feedback from the Development Stakeholders.
• The second reading of the ordinance was tabled to a date uncertain to allow staff time to hold a workshop on this subject with our Development Stakeholders.
• The first reading of the ordinance was heard during the August 28, 2023, City Council Meeting.
• The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval at their August 1, 2023, meeting.
Issues/Analysis: See the attached staff report.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: City staff coordinated with the St. Lucie County Fire District to understand the National Fire Protection Association and local Fire District requirements for access roads and fire lanes, as the public health, safety, and welfare needs of the City’s residents are of utmost importance. The Fire District has provided a letter of support for this amendment.
Location of Project: N/A
Attachments:
1. REVISED - Ordinance 23-52
2. Staff Update Summary Memo
3. 9.7.23 Stakeholder Meeting Summary
4. Compiled Development Community Feedback
5. SLCFD Multiple Access Points Letter of Support
6. NFPA 1141 Chapter 5
7. REVISED - Exhibit “A” Section 156.094 Subdivision and Lot Access
8. REVISED - Exhibit “B” Section 158.172 Standards for District Establishment
9. REVISED - Exhibit “C” Section 158.187 Standards for District Establishment
10. REVISED - Exhibit “D” Section 158.222 Access Standards Sidewalks and Bikepaths
11. REVISED - Staff Presentation
12. Staff Report
13. Exhibit “A” Section 156.094 Subdivision and Lot Access
14. Exhibit “B” Section 158.172 Standards for District Establishment
15. Exhibit “C” Section 158.187 Standards for District Establishment
16. Exhibit “D” Section 158.222 Access Standards Sidewalks and Bikepaths
17. SLC Fire District Letter of Support
18. City of Port St. Lucie August 14, 2023 Letter
19. Request for Workshop
20. Request to Table
21. Memo to Table - Access Ordinances
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: 23181-02
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Frank Moehrle, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.