title
LAND USE CHANGE - COFRIN PARK (B)
Ordinance No. 0-05-65, Petition 51LUC-05PB
An Ordinance amending the City of Gainesville 2000-2010 Comprehensive Plan; by changing the land use categories of certain property from "Single-Family (up to 8 units per acre)" to "Conservation" and "Public Facilities"; consisting of approximately 30 acres, located in the vicinity of the north side of Northwest 8th Avenue, at 4810 and 4910 N.W. 8th Avenue; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date.
recommendation
The City Commission: 1) receive the preliminary review of the Department of Community Affairs; and (2) adopt the proposed ordinance.
explanation
STAFF REPORT
The subject property is approximately 30 acres in size, is undeveloped except for a single-family house, has CON (conservation) and PS (public service) zoning, and a SF (Single-Family) land use designation.
Adjacent property to the west is zoned PD (Planned Development). The land use of this property is SF. Adjacent property to the north is RSF-1. The land use of this property is SF. Adjacent property to the east is RSF-1. The land use of this property is SF. Zoning to the south across NW 8th Avenue is CP (Corporate Park), and the land use of this property is MU-M (Mixed-Use Medium).
These properties were purchased in December 2003 with the assistance of a grant from Florida Communities Trust (FCT). FCT is a state land acquisition agency that assists local governments in acquiring land to implement goals, objectives and policies of conservation, recreation and open space, or for natural resources conservation, using Florida Forever Revenue Bonds. Funds also came from Alachua County Forever, a program approved by the voters to acquire, improve and manage environmentally significant lands in Alachua County, and to protect water resources, wildlife habitats and natural areas suitable for resource based recreation. In addition, funding came from the City of Gainesville, and a charitable donation came from Gladys G. Cofrin. This land use change is being sought to allow the City to comply with the FCT obligations associated with obtaining acquisition grant money. Among other things, these obligations require the benefiting community to designate and protect the acquired property and to manage the project site only for the conservation, protection and enhancement of natural resources and for public outdoor recreation that is compatible with the conservation, protection and enhancement of the site.
Designation of these properties as PF (public facilities) and CON (Conservation) land use will allow the City to develop these properties as both a nature park and an activity-based recreation park. The Nature Operations Division of the City Recreation and Parks Department will be managing the park.
The Plan Board heard the petition and recommended approval.
Public notice was published in the Gainesville Sun on May 3, 2005. Letters were mailed to surrounding property owners on May 4, 2005. The Plan Board held a public hearing May 19, 2005. Planning Division staff recommended that the Plan Board approve the petition. The Plan Board recommended that the City Commission approve Petition 51LUC-05 PB. Plan Board vote 6-0.
CITY ATTORNEY MEMORANDUM
Florida Statutes set forth the procedure for adoption of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. The second hearing will be held at the adoption stage of the ordinance and must be advertised approximately five days before the adoption hearing.
The State of Florida Department of Community Affairs issued a letter dated September 27, 2005, stating that this amendment need not be formally reviewed for consistency with Chapter 163, F.S. The Department also waived preparing an Objections, Recommendations and Comments Report. A copy of their letter is attached to this memorandum. Therefore, the City may now proceed with the final adoption of this ordinance.
Following second reading, the Plan amendment will not become effective until the DCA issues a final order determining the adopted amendment to be in compliance in accordance with the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act, or until the Administration Commission (Governor and Cabinet) issues a final order determining the adopted amendment to be in compliance.