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LAND USE CHANGE - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA EASTSIDE CAMPUS (B)
Ordinance No. 100777, Petition PB-11-10LUC
An ordinance amending the City of Gainesville 2000-2010 Comprehensive Plan, Future Land Use Map; by changing the land use category of certain property, as more specifically described in this ordinance, from the land use category of "Residential Low-Density (up to 12 units per acre)" to "Education"; located in the vicinity of 2200 Northeast Waldo Road; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date.
recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve Petition No. PB-11-10LUC; and 2) adopt the proposed ordinance.
explanation
STAFF REPORT
This proposed small-scale amendment of the Future Land Use Map from Residential Low-Density (up to 12 units per acre) (RL) to Education (E) is for an approximately 2.6-acre property located on the west side of Waldo Road and south of Northeast 23rd Avenue. This property is adjacent to the University of Florida's Eastside Campus on the south (and west), and to both a mobile home park and Northeast 23rd Avenue on the north. To the east and across Waldo Road is the State of Florida's Tacachale residential facility for the developmentally disabled.
The property was previously part of the adjacent mobile home park to the north, but is now vacant and unimproved except for the remains of three very dilapidated and unoccupied wooden houses. No one resides on this 2.6-acre property, which the University of Florida plans to incorporate into its Eastside Campus, subsequent to approval of the requested land use and related zoning changes. The property is within the Eastside Community Redevelopment Area, but it is not within either the Enterprise Zone or a special area plan.
The property was purchased in 2010 for the purpose of expanding UF's Eastside Campus, which is part of the 2005-2015 Campus Master Plan and is included in the 2005-2015 Campus Development Agreement. The application states that "the addition of this parcel as an overflow parking area to the campusÂ…will help alleviate the current shortage of parking. As the total Eastside Campus continues to evolve and redevelop over time, alternate uses will be contemplated that complement the remainder of the site." This property will be incorporated into the Campus Master Plan by the University in a future update of the Master Plan.
The proposed land use change from Residential Low-Density (up to 12 units per acre) to Education is appropriate for the property's planned use as part of the UF Eastside Campus. The Education category states in part that this "category identifies appropriate areas for public and private schools and institutions of higher learning when located outside of neighborhood centers (activity centers)". The current RL land use category is a residential land use category that can allow up to 31 residential units on the 2.6-acre property, but it does not allow institutions of higher learning. This petition is related to Petition PB-11-11 ZON, which is a request for rezoning from MH (12 units/acre mobile home residential district) to ED (Educational services district).
The key issues are that: 1) the proposed small-scale amendment is necessary to bring this UF property into conformance with the City's Comprehensive Plan; 2) compatibility with the adjacent residential property to the north will be ensured by meeting all applicable requirements of the Land Development Code; 3) the proposed Education land use is consistent with Plan East Gainesville, and with the continued development of UF's Eastside Campus; 4) the proposed small-scale land use change from a residential to an institutional use could have a marginal negative impact on the supply of potential affordable housing in Gainesville; and, 5) there are no problems with financial feasibility.
The proposal is consistent with the City of Gainesville adopted comprehensive plan.
Public notice was published in the Gainesville Sun on February 8, 2011. The Plan Board held a public hearing on February 24, 2011.
CITY ATTORNEY MEMORANDUM
The proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan is treated as a small scale development activity. After the City Commission adopts the ordinance, it will be filed with the State Land Planning Agency. The state land planning agency does not review or issue a notice of intent for small scale development amendments. Any affected person may file a petition with the State Division of Administrative Hearings to request a hearing to challenge the compliance of a small scale development amendment within 30 days following the City's adoption of the amendment.
Small scale development amendments do not become effective until 31 days after adoption. If challenged within 30 days after adoption, small scale development amendments shall not become effective until the state land planning agency or the Administration Commission issues a final order that the adopted small scale development amendment is in compliance.