title
AMENDMENT TO CLUSTER SUBDIVISION REQUIREMENTS (B)
An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending the Land Development Code relating to cluster subdivisions; amending section 30-190, establishing criteria for classifying cluster subdivisions as either environmental or infill, establishing lot sizes, clarifying the cluster open space requirement, and modifying the criteria for the review of cluster subdivisions; 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 is proposed in order to update the cluster subdivision ordinance and ensure that cluster subdivisions result in better site planning than would normally occur through conventional subdivision procedures. Staff's review found that the current cluster subdivision process was adopted long before many of the regulations the City has in place today to protect environmental features, such as wetlands and creeks. Since all developments are required to protect environmental resources, such as creeks and wetlands, the cluster subdivision ordinance is being updated so that the cluster open space being provided is above and beyond those already-protected environmental features.
Staff has amended the cluster subdivision provisions to establish minimum lot sizes (no minimum existed previously), to increase compatibility with existing surrounding neighborhoods. The amended chapter also requires cluster open space to be more than already protected environmental areas, and classifies cluster subdivisions as either environmental or infill, so that the objectives of any given cluster subdivision are clearer. The Plan Board reviewed the petition and recommended several changes. The Community Development Committee also provided input and direction.
Public no...
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