Summary The proposed Large Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment (LSCPA) is a request by Jamie Poulos, of Poulos & Bennett, LLC, applicant and agent for RL REGI Florida, LLC, property owner, for the consideration of a Large Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment (LSCPA) to the City of Alachua Future Land Use Map (FLUM), to amend the FLUM of the subject property from Medium Density Residential (4 – 8 units per acre) to Moderate Density Residential (0 – 4 units per acre). The subject property is comprised of Tax Parcel Numbers 03042-050-006, 03042-050-007, 03042-052-002, 03042-052-003, 03042-052-004, 03042-052-005, and 03042-052-006, and is approximately 35.82 acres in size.
The subject property is located west of NW 173rd Street (also known as County Road 235A), approximately 1,000 feet south of the intersection of NW US Highway 441 and NW 173rd Street. The subject property is currently undeveloped, except for one dilapidated barn on site.
The subject property presently has a Medium Density Residential FLUM Designation. The proposed amendment would change the FLUM Designation to Moderate Density Residential, which permits residential development at a density lower than the density permitted by the current FLUM Designation. The Medium Density Residential FLUM Designation permits a density of 4 – 8 dwelling units per acre (a maximum of 286 dwelling units for the subject property); the Moderate Density Residential permits a density of 0 – 4 dwellings per acre (a maximum of 143 dwelling units for the subject property).
Policy 1.2.a of the Future Land Use Element establishes the Moderate Density Residential land use category, and states that this category allows residential development at a maximum density of 4 dwelling units per acre. The following uses are examples of uses permitted within the Moderate Density Residential land use category: single family, conventional dwelling units; accessory dwelling units; residential planned developments; and supporting community services, such as schools, houses of worship, parks, and community centers.
On March 14, 2017, the Planning & Zoning Board (PZB), sitting as the Local Planning Agency (LPA), held a public hearing on the proposed LSCPA. The PZB voted 5-0 to transmit the proposed LSCPA to the City Commission, with a recommendation to approve.
The City Commission held the first reading and public hearing of Ordinance 17-08 on April 10, 2017, and voted 5-0 to approve Ordinance 17-08 on first reading.
In accordance with Chapter 163.3184(3(b)1., Florida Statutes, the City submitted the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the following agencies/jurisdictions: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Transportation - District 2 Office, the Florida Department of State, the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council, the Department of Economic Opportunity (Bureau of Economic Development), the Suwannee River Water Management District, the Department of Education, the City of Gainesville, the City of High Springs, Alachua County Department of Growth Management, and the School Board of Alachua County.
The Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Suwannee River Water Management District, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity submitted letters of no comment on the proposed amendment. The North Central Florida Regional Planning Council submitted a report stating that no adverse extra-jurisdictional impacts to adjacent local governments are anticipated to occur as a result of this proposed amendment. | | |