title
LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT - RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY DISTRICTS (B)
Ordinance No. 0-04-55; Petition 65TCH-04 PB
An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, relating to residential low density districts; amending section 30-52 of the Land Development Code, Residential low density districts (RMF-5, RC and MH); eliminating FAR (floor area ratio) requirements; establishing a 3-story height limit by right and revising other dimensional requirements for the RC (12 units/acre) and RMF-5 (12 units/acre) residential low density zoning districts; permitting stoops as a condition for townhouses or rowhouses of up to 6 dwellings in the RMF-5 and RC districts; combining Tables 2 and 2-A into one Table 2; removing redundancies and inconsistencies; amending section 30-23, definitions; revising the definition of "townhouse"; creating a definition for "rowhouse;" providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.
recommendation
The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.
explanation
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT
This petition provides an opportunity to incorporate the new height restrictions approved by the City Commission for certain zoning districts. The most significant revision recommended is that the RMF-5 and RC zoning districts have a 3-story height limit (currently, these districts have a 35-foot limit). Staff also recommends eliminating the floor area ratio limits, since intensity would be controlled by a height limit, and reducing the minimum lot size for various developments in RMF-5. The petition revises the definition of "townhouse" and creates a definition for "rowhouse" in order to have consistency with the Building Code.
The Plan Board reviewed the petition and recommended that it be approved with modifications. The modifications are to collapse Table 2 and 2-A and making the separate dwelling unit issues consistent. The Plan Board requested staff investigate the possibility of adding design requirements for stoops and this condition is added for townhouses or rowhouses of up to 6 dwelling units in the RMF-5 and RC districts.
Public notice was published in the Gainesville Sun on March 31, 2004. The Plan Board held a public hearing April 15, 2004. Planning Division staff recommended that the Plan Board approve the petition. The Plan Board recommended that the City Commission approve Petition 65TCH-04 PB. Plan Board vote 6-1.
CITY ATTORNEY MEMORANDUM
This ordinance requires two public hearings. Should the Commission adopt the ordinance on first reading; the second and final reading will be held on Monday, August 23, 2004.
fiscal note
None