TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Tim Stillings, Planning, Zoning, and Building Director
THROUGH: Donald B. Cooper, City Manager
DATE: June 21, 2016
Title
ORDINANCE 14-16, AMENDING SECTION 4.4.29 “MIXED RESIDENTIAL, OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL (MROC) DISTRICT” TO AMEND THE PURPOSE TO EMPHASIZE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS; TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR A MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PARCELS UNDER THREE ACRES; TO REDUCE THE LANDSCAPE BUFFER REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN PROPERTIES; TO REDUCE THE FRONT SETBACKS FROM CONGRESS AVENUE; TO INCREASE THE REAR SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPERTIES ADJACENT TO THE CSX RAILWAY; TO INCLUDE SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITIES AS A PERMITTED USE WITH SPECIFIC FLOOR AREA RATIO, BUILDING HEIGHT, FLOOR HEIGHT, SETBACK AND OTHER DESIGN REQUIREMENTS; TO INITIATE A BONUS PROGRAM FOR SELF SERVICE STORAGE FACILITIES TO ALLOW THESE FACILITIES MORE SQUARE. FOOTAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN COMMUNITY BENEFITS; DELETING OUTDATED LANGUAGE, CORRECTING REFERENCES AND MAKING OTHER TECHNICAL CHANGES. (SECOND HEARING)
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve Ordinance No. 14-16 on Second Reading for the amendment to Land Development Regulation Section 4.4.29, Mixed Residential, Office and Commercial (MROC) District, as presented.
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Background:
The item before the City Commission is to consider privately-initiated amendments to LDR Section 4.4.29, Mixed Residential, Office and Commercial (MROC) District to add to add Self-Service Storage Facilities (SSSF) as a permitted use, pursuant to the listed Development Standards also provided as a part of the revisions.
The initial request proposed to add SSSF as a permitted use within the MROC zoning district. Given the new vision for the Congress Avenue Corridor by the Task Force and direction given by the City Commission, Staff thoroughly reviewed the MROC regulations in conjunction with the request. As a result, Staff is also recommending additional edits and amendments to Sections within the MROC district. The revisions to the existing MROC regulations include requiring a Master Development Plan (MDP) for all developments over three acres or those built in phases, whereas an MDP is currently required for all development proposals; reducing the minimum site area for development to two acres from three; reducing the front setback along Congress Avenue to 10’ to provide a more active and engaged streetscape with a maximum setback of 20’; permitting all buildings, regardless of lot size, to provide an 85’ height, whereas properties less than 3 acres are limited to 48’ in height; and, revisions to setbacks when adjacent to non-residential use properties.
The additional requirements will allow more square footage for the SSSF provided that an Office Headquarters is committed to locating on-site for at least three years, and by providing Community Benefit Bonuses. The intent of these two requirements is to ensure that the City and the Corridor is able to directly benefit by permitting the additional square footage for an SSSF, which is not an “active” use.
The complete outline of the proposed amendments is provided in the attached Planning and Zoning Board Staff Report from the meeting of May 16, 2016
Review by Others
The Congress Avenue Task Force reviewed the subject Ordinance at its meeting of May 12, 2016. The Task Force was pleased with the proposed amendments as they meet the intent of their efforts, the balance of which will be forthcoming.
At its meeting of May 16, 2016, the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of Ordinance 14-16 with a vote of 5 to 1 (Louis Smith dissenting; Robin Byrd Absent). The Board noted concerns regarding the relevancy of the Staff-initiated revisions to the existing MROC language with the addition of Self-service Storage Facilities.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.