| SUBMISSION DATA: |
REQUESTED REZONING:
FROM: HDR, High Density Residential district (18 du/acre)
TO: Com, Commercial district (25 du/acre, lodging unit density not limited by zoning)
RELEVANT AUTHORITY:
(1) Escambia County Comprehensive Plan
(2) Escambia County Land Development Code
(3) Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County v. Snyder, 627 So. 2d 469 (Fla. 1993)
(4) Resolution 96-34 (Quasi-judicial Proceedings)
(5) Resolution 96-13 (Ex-parte Communications)
APPROVAL CONDITIONS |
| Criterion a., LDC Sec. 2-7.2(b)(4) |
Consistent with Comprehensive Plan
Whether the proposed rezoning is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and not in conflict with any of the plan provisions
CPP FLU 1.3.1 Future Land Use Categories. The Mixed-Use Urban (MU-U) Future Land Use (FLU) category is intended for an intense mix of residential and nonresidential uses while promoting compatible infill development and the separation of urban and suburban land uses within the category as a whole. Range of allowable uses include: Residential, Retail and Services, Professional Office, Light Industrial, Recreational Facilities, Public and Civic. The maximum residential density is 25 dwelling units per acre.
FLU 1.5.1 New Development and Redevelopment in Built Areas. To promote the efficient use of existing public roads, utilities, and service infrastructure, the County will encourage the redevelopment in underutilized properties to maximize development densities and intensities located in the MU-S, MU-U, Commercial, and Industrial Future Land Use categories (with the exception of residential development).
FLU 2.1.1 Infrastructure Capacities. Urban uses will be concentrated in the urbanized areas with the most intense development permitted in the Mixed-Use Urban (MU-U) areas and areas with sufficient central water and sewer system capacity to accommodate higher density development. Land use densities may be increased through Comprehensive Plan amendments. This policy is intended to direct higher density urban uses to those areas with infrastructure capacities sufficient to meet demands and to those areas with capacities in excess of current or projected demand. Septic systems remain allowed through Florida Health Department permits where central sewer is not available.
FINDINGS
The proposed amendment to Commercial is consistent with the intent and purpose of Future Land Use category MU-U as stated in CPP FLU 1.3.1. The Future Land Use of Mixed-Use Urban allows for a mix of residential and retail services. The rezoning would promote good efficient use of existing public roads and an underutilized property that would conform with CPP FLU 1.5.1.
Per FLU 2.1.1 the uses will be concentrated in the urbanized areas with the most intense development permitted in the Mixed-Use Urban (MU-U) areas. Sufficient central water and sewer system capacity to accommodate higher density development with be reviewed during the site plan review process. |
| Criterion b., LDC Sec. 2-7.2(b)(4) |
Consistent with The Land Development Code
Whether the proposed amendment is in conflict with any portion of this Code, and is consistent with the stated purpose and intent of this Code.
Sec. 3-2.8 High Density Residential district (HDR).
(a) Purpose. The High Density Residential (HDR) district establishes appropriate areas and land use regulations for residential uses at high densities within urban areas. The primary intent of the district is to provide for residential neighborhood development in an efficient urban pattern of well-connected streets and at greater dwelling unit density and diversity than the Medium Density Residential district. Residential uses within the HDR district include most forms of single-family, two-family and multi-family dwellings. Non-residential uses within the district are limited to those that are compatible with urban residential neighborhoods.
Sec. 3-2.10 Commercial district (Com).
(a) Purpose. The Commercial (Com) district establishes appropriate areas and land use regulations for general commercial activities, especially the retailing of commodities and services. The primary intent of the district is to allow more diverse and intense commercial uses than the neighborhood commercial allowed within the mixed-use districts. To maintain compatibility with surrounding uses, all commercial operations within the Commercial district are limited to the confines of buildings and not allowed to produce undesirable effects on surrounding property. To retain adequate area for commercial activities, new and expanded residential development within the district is limited, consistent with the Commercial (C) future land use category.
(e) Location criteria. All new non-residential uses proposed within the Commercial district that are not part of a planned unit development or not identified as exempt by the district shall be on parcels that satisfy at least one of the following location criteria:
(1) Proximity to intersection. Along an arterial or collector street and within one-quarter mile of its intersection with an arterial street.
(2) Proximity to traffic generator. Along an arterial or collector street and within a one-quarter mile radius of an individual traffic generator of more than 600 daily trips, such as an apartment complex, military base, college campus, hospital, shopping mall or similar generator.
(3) Infill development. Along an arterial or collector street, in an area where already established non-residential uses are otherwise consistent with the Commercial district, and where the new use would constitute infill development of similar intensity as the conforming development on surrounding parcels. Additionally, the location would promote compact development and not contribute to or promote strip commercial development.
(4) Site design. Along an arterial or collector street, no more than one-half mile from its intersection with an arterial or collector street, not abutting a single-family residential zoning district (RR, LDR or MDR), and all of the following site design conditions:
a. Any Intrusion into a recorded subdivision is limited to a corner lot.
b. A system of service roads or shared access is provided to the maximum extent made feasible by lot area, shape, ownership patterns, and site and street characteristics.
c. Adverse impacts to any adjoining residential uses are minimized by placing the more intensive elements of the use, such as solid waste dumpsters and truck loading/unloading areas, furthest from the residential uses.
(5) Documented compatibility. A compatibility analysis prepared by the applicant provides competent substantial evidence of unique circumstances regarding the potential uses of parcel that were not anticipated by the alternative criteria, and the proposed use, or rezoning as applicable, will be able to achieve long-term compatibility with existing and potential uses. Additionally, the following conditions exist:
a. The parcel has not been rezoned by the landowner from the mixed-use, commercial, or industrial zoning assigned by the county.
b. If the parcel is within a county redevelopment district, the use will be consistent with the district’s adopted redevelopment plan, as reviewed and recommended by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
FINDINGS
The proposed amendment is consistent with the intent and purpose of the Land Development Code (LDC). The proposed rezoning to Commercial (Com) will meet the location criteria of the LDC. The site is located along North Fairfield Dr, an arterial road, and within one-quarter mile of its intersection within Lillian Highway, an arterial road. |
| Criterion c., LDC Sec. 2-7.2(b)(4) |
Compatible with surrounding uses
Whether all land uses, development activities, and conditions allowed by the proposed zoning are compatible with the surrounding conforming uses, activities and conditions and are able to coexist in relative proximity to them in a stable fashion over time such that no use, activity, or condition negatively impacts another. The appropriateness of the rezoning is not limited to any specific use that may be proposed but is evident for all permitted uses of the requested zoning.
FINDINGS
The proposed amendment is compatible with surrounding existing mixed-uses in the area. Within the 500' radius impact area, staff observed properties with zoning districts LDMU, MDR, HDR, HDMU, Com, HC/LI, and Con. The subject parcel currently has a commercial building on site and has co-existed with the residential and commercial uses in the area. A mobile home park is located directly to the west of the site and is zoned Com. Multi-family apartments are located directly north of the site and are zoned HDR. Vacant residential is located directly south of the subject property. A animal hospital is located within the impact area and is zoned Com. A medical office is located in the impact area and is zoned HC/LI. |
| Criterion d., LDC Sec. 2-7.2(b)(4) |
Changed conditions
Whether the area to which the proposed rezoning would apply has changed, or is changing, to such a degree that it is in the public interest to encourage new uses, density, or intensity in the area through rezoning.
FINDINGS
Staff found no changed conditions that would impact the amendment or property. Staff found rezoning case Z-2006-02 located at 598 N Fairfield Dr that was rezoned from SDD to C-2 and approved on 03/02/2006. |
| Criterion e., LDC Sec. 2-7.2(b)(4) |
Development patterns
Whether the proposed rezoning would contribute to or result in a logical and orderly development pattern.
FINDINGS
The proposed amendment would result in a logical and orderly development pattern. The surrounding area contains a mixture of residential, commercial, and light industrial uses.
Criterion (f) LDC Sec. 2-7.2(b)(4)
Effect on natural environment
Whether the proposed rezoning would increase the probability of any significant adverse impacts on the natural environment.
FINDINGS
According to the National Wetland Inventory, wetlands and hydric soils were not indicated on the subject property. When applicable, further review during the Site Plan Review process will be necessary to determine if there would be any significant adverse impact on the natural environment. |
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