TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Timothy Stillings, Development Services Director
THROUGH: Mark R. Lauzier, City Manager
DATE: January 15, 2019
Title
ALWAYS DELRAY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: PRESENTATION OF THE PUBLIC FACILITIES ELEMENT
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Provide comment and direction regarding the proposed Public Facilities Element of the Always Delray Comprehensive Plan.
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Background:
The update to the Delray Beach Comprehensive Plan, which has been branded “Always Delray,” began in 2016 with the creation of a Steering Committee, appointed by the City Commission. Committee members have met on numerous occasions to establish a plan for the City’s future that reflects current and projected trends, identifies key issues presently impacting the community, and that maintains, updates, or eliminates current policies as a result of this in-depth review. Five new elements are proposed for the plan, and several existing elements have been renamed to better capture their role in plan. Community workshops were held to discuss and receive public input on each element. This input was utilized to formulate the draft elements, along with the input of Subject Matter Experts on each topic, which consisted of City Staff, consultants, and community members.
The Public Facilities Element incorporates the City’s Goals, Objectives, and Policies related to providing potable water, wastewater management, stormwater management and flood prevention, solid waste services, maintenance of the transportation system, and public offices. The proposed element provides updated environmental policies, including policies to increase reclaimed water usage to meet the Leah B. Schaad Ocean Outfall Act, and expand policies previously focused on roadways to include bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure as well. New policies also reflect the updated Stormwater Master Plan, the recently completed sea wall vulnerability study, and new sustainability goals. Current policies such as phasing out the use of septic tanks and requiring new development to be responsible for extending water service are maintained.
The Public Facilities Element was reviewed by the Steering Committee on October 18, 2018.
The Planning and Zoning Board at a public hearing held on December 17, 2018, and recommended to the City Commission adoption of the proposed Public Facilities Element on a 5 to 0 vote.
Note: This draft of the Conservation, Sustainability, and Resiliency Element Goals, Objectives, and Policies may be modified/augmented to coordinate with the recommendations of other Elements as they are finalized.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
N/A
Timing of Request:
Once all elements have been reviewed by the City Commission, final drafts will be prepared for a Transmittal Hearing of the full Always Delray Plan.