07-001413 In Re: Petition To Establish The Southeasten Community Development District vs. *
 Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Monday, July 2, 2007.


View Dockets  
Summary: Report issued concerning the petition to contract the size of an existing community development district in Tallahassee.

1STATE OF FLORIDA

4DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

8IN RE: PETITION FOR RULE )

14CREATION – SOUTHEASTERN ) Case No. 07 - 1413

23COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT )

27_ _______________________________ )

30ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S REPORT TO THE FLO RIDA LAND

39AND WATER ADJUDICATORY COMMISSION

43Pursuant to notice, a local public hearing was held in this

54matter in Tallahassee, Florida, on June 5, 2007, before

63D onald R. Alexander, a n Administrative Law Judge of the Division

75of Administr ative Hearings .

80APPEARANCES

81For Petitioner: Michael C. Eckert, Esq uire

88Joseph A. Brown, Esq uire

93Hopping Green & Sams, P.A.

98Post Office Box 6526

102Tallahassee, Florida 32314 - 6526

107STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE

111The issue is whether the Petition to E stablish the

121Southeastern Community Development District (Petition) meets the

128applicable criteria set forth in Chapter 190, Florida Statutes

137(2006 ), 1 and Florida Administrative Code Rule Chapter 42 - 1. The

150pu rpose of the hearing was to gather information in anticipation

161of quasi - legislative rulemaking by the Florida Land and Water

172Adjudicatory Commission (Commission).

175PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

177On February 2, 2007, The St. Joe Company (Petitioner) filed

187its Petit ion with the Secretary of the Commission. Prior to

198that time, a copy of the Petition and exhibits , along with the

210requisite filing fee, were filed with the City of Tallahassee

220(City) and Leon County (County) , where the proposed community

229development distr ict ( District ) will be located . 2

240On February 15, 2007, the Commission issued a Notice of

250Insufficiency and Reque st for Additional Information (Notice of

259Insufficiency) . On March 15, 2007, Petitioner submitted its

268Response to the Notice of Insufficiency.

274On March 21, 2007, the Secretary of the Commission

283certified that the Petition contained all required elements and

292forwarded it to the Division of Administrative Hearings for the

302purpose of holding the local public hearing required under

311Section 190.005( 1)(d), Florida Statutes.

316The local public hearing was held on June 5 , 2007 , in

327Tallahassee, Florida. Notice of the public hearing was

335published in accordance with Section 190.005(1)(d), Florida

342Statutes. On June 1, 2007, Petitioner pre - filed the testi mony

354of its five witnesses.

358At the local public hearing, Petitioner presented the

366testimony of Bill Wier , its Vice President and Project Manager ;

376Fred A. Greene , P. E., of CH2M Hill and accepted as an expert ;

389James A. Perry, Managing Director of Governmen tal Management

398Services, LLC, and accepted as an expert; G. Russell Weyer ,

408Senior Associate at Fishkind & Associates, Inc . , and accepted as

419an expert ; and Jorge Gonzalez , its Vice President of

428Entitlements and accepted as an expert. No members of the

438publ ic appeared at the hearing. Petitioner also offered

447Petitioner's Exhibits 1 through 7, which were received into

456evidence. Composite Exhibit 1 is the Petition and attached

465E xhibits 1 - 9; Exhibit 2 contains the affidavits of publication;

477Exhibit 3 is the re solution of the City supporting the

488establishment of the District; Exhibit 4 is a similar resolution

498by the County; Exhibit 5 is the pre - filed testimony of the five

512witnesses; Exhibit 6 contains consents to establish the District

521by two entities that purch ased parcels within the proposed

531District after the Petition was filed; and Exhibit 7 is the

542resume of Jorge Gonzalez.

546The T ranscript of the local public hearing was filed on

557June 19, 2007. On the same date, Petitioner filed a Proposed

568Report of Findin gs and Conclusions , which has been considered in

579the preparation of this Report .

585SUMMARY OF THE RECORD

589A. Petition and Related Matters

5941. Petitioner is seeking the adoption of a rule by the

605Commission to establish the District , which will consist of

614approximately 1,035 acres located within the City and

623unincorporated part of the Co unty. The proposed District lies

633just south of Apalachee Parkway , east of Capital Circle

642Southeast ( as it swings in a southerly direction from Apalachee

653Parkway before turn ing to the west), and north of Tram Road.

665The southern boundary of the District lies a short distance from

676the State office complex in Southwood. The name for the

686proposed District is the Southeastern Community Development

693District. Petition Exhibit 2 d escribes the metes and bounds of

704the external boundaries of the District , while Petition Exhibit

7134 is a map depicting the boundaries of the District and the land

726uses on the Future Land Use Map of the local comprehensive plan .

7392. There are two parcels wit hin the external boundaries of

750the proposed District which are to be excluded from the

760District. The two out - parcels are owned by Kilpatrick Cemetery,

771c/o Eddie L. Kilpatrick, 3727 Old St. Augustine Road,

780Tallahassee, Florida , and Jennie V. Fowler, 517 Ho ward Avenue,

790Tallahassee, Florida. Both parcels are on the eastern edge of

800the District 's property and are accessed by way of the old

812Southwood Plantation Road. When the Petition was filed, The St.

822Joe Company was named as the owner of the property. Pe tition

834Exhibit 3 is the Consent and Joinder of Landowner to

844Establishment of a Community Development District executed by

852the owner.

8543. The Petition indicates that the five persons designated

863to serve as initial members of the Board of Supervisors are Cla y

876Smallwood, Chris Gent, Shaw Flippen, Sean Fennelly, and Pat

885Groeniger, and that each member is a resident of the State of

897Florida and a citizen of the United States.

9054 . The estimated cost of the infrastructure facilities and

915services which are presently expected to be provided to the

925lands within the District was included in the Petition as filed

936and as amended in the Response to the Commission’s Notice of

947Insufficiency issued on February 15, 2007 .

9545 . Petition Exhibit 6 describes the type of faciliti es

965Petitioner expects the District to finance, construct, acquire,

973and install, as well as the anticipated owner and entity

983responsible for the operation and maintenance. Petition

990Exhibit 7 identifies the estimated costs of constructing those

999facilities as $45,750,000.00.

10046 . Petition Exhibit 8 is the Statement of Estimated

1014Regulatory Costs (SERC), which indicates that it was prepared in

1024accordance with Section 120.541, Florida Statutes.

10307 . Finally, Petition Exhibit 9 identifies Jonathan T.

1039Johnson, Es quire, and Brian A. Crumbaker, Esquire, as authorized

1049agents for Petitioner.

10528 . The sole purpose of this proceeding was to consider the

1064establishment of the District as proposed by Petitioner.

1072Information relating to the managing and financing of the

1081ser vice - delivery function of the proposed District was also

1092considered. Because Section 190.005, Florida Statutes, contains

1099the statutory criteria to be considered, a summary of the

1109evidence relating to each enumerated section of the statute is

1119set forth in the following section of this Report.

1128SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY

1133A. Whether all statements contained within the Petition

1141have been found to be true and correct.

11499 . Petitioner's Hearing Composite Exh ibit 1 consists of

1159the Petition and its exhibits as filed with th e Commission.

1170Mr. Wier , who is a Vice - President with The St. Joe Company,

1183testified that he had reviewed the contents of the Petition . He

1195noted several changes or corrections to the Petition in his

1205testimony. Specifically, Mr. Wier sta ted that p aragraph 8 of

1216the Petition should be amended, as provided in Exhibit A to his

1228written testimony, to provide additional information regarding

1235the operation and maintenance responsibility between the

1242District and the City for relevant stormwater fa cilities within

1252the propo sed District. Mr. Wier also testified that Petition

1262Exhibit 3 would be supplemented with additional consents of

1271parties that have become landowners within the proposed boundary

1280of the District since the Petition was filed. Supple m ental

1291consents of Beazer Homes Corporation and Weekley Homes , LP, were

1301admitted into evidence as Hearing Exhibit 6. (The additional

1310consents are required because during the pendency of this

1319proceeding , parcels within the proposed District are being s old

1329to third parties. Therefore, as each parcel is sold, the

1339consent of the new owner is required.) The original consent of

1350Weekley Homes , LP, was not available at the time of the public

1362hearing and is therefore being transmitted with this Report.

1371Additiona lly, Mr. Wier stated that in response to the Notice of

1383Insufficiency, Petition Exhibit 4 was supplemented to provide

1391further description of the general distribution, location , and

1399extent of the public and private uses of land . In addition ,

1411Petition Exhibi t 7 was supplemented with a more detailed good

1422faith estimate of the order and seque nce of District

1432construction . Mr. Wier also generally described certain of the

1442exhibits to the Petition. Finally, Mr. Wier testified that the

1452Petition and its exhibits we re true and correct , as amended, to

1464the best of his knowledge.

146910 . Mr. Greene , who is a professional engineer, testified

1479that he had assisted in the preparation of portions of the

1490Petition and its exhibits . Mr. Greene generally described the

1500services an d facilities that the proposed District is expected

1510to provide. He also generally described those Petition exhibits

1519that he had reviewed and described in his testimony the need for

1531certain amendments and revisions to the Petition and exhibits ,

1540all of whic h have been previously described above in Mr. Wier ' s

1554testimony. Finally, Mr. Greene testified that, with the

1562exception of the amendments to the Petition and its exhibits as

1573described , Petition Exhibits 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were true and

1586correct to the bes t of his knowledge.

159411 . Mr. Weyer , who is a financial advisor to the District,

1606testified that he had prepared the SERC, which has been received

1617in evidence as Petition Exhibit 8 . He added that the SERC was

1630true and correct to the best of his knowledge.

163912 . The testimony is that the Petition and its exhibits as

1651amended and suppl e mented are true and correct.

1660B. Whether the establishment of the District is

1668inconsistent with any applicable element or portion of the State

1678Comprehensive Plan or of the effec tive local government

1687comprehensive plan.

168913 . Mr. Gonzalez , a Vic e - Pr esident for The St. Joe

1703Company, reviewed the proposed District in light of the

1712requirements of the State Comprehensive Plan codified in

1720Section 187.201, Florida Statutes. He also re viewed the

1729proposed District in light of the requirements of the

1738Tallahassee - Leon County Comprehensive Plan.

17441 4 . The State Comprehensive Plan " provides long - range

1755policy guidance for the orderly social, economic and physical

1764growth of the State " by way of twenty - five subjects and numerous

1777goals and policies. § 187.101, Fla. Stat. From a planning

1787perspective, the witness indicated that three subjects of the

1796State Comprehensive Plan apply directly to the establishment of

1805the proposed District as do the p olicies supporting those

1815subjects.

18161 5 . First, Mr. Gonzalez cited Subject 15, Land Use, which

1828recognizes the importance of locating development in areas with

1837the fiscal ability and service capacity to accommodate growth.

1846§ 187.201(15), Fla. Stat. He tes tified that t he proposed

1857District will have the fiscal ability to provide services and

1867facilities and help provide infrastructure in a fiscally

1875responsible manner in an area which can accommodate development

1884within the City and County .

18901 6 . Mr. Gonzalez a lso referred to P olicy 1 under Subject

190415 , which promotes efficient development activities in areas

1912which will have the capacity to service new populations and

1922com merce. The witness testified that t he proposed District will

1933be a vehicle to provide high qu ality services in an efficient

1945and focused manner over the long term.

19521 7 . Second, Mr. Gonzales cited Subject 17 of the State

1964Comprehensive Plan, Public Facilities, which promotes efficient

1971and orderly financing of new facilities . § 187.201(17), Fla.

1981St at. Especially relevant are Policy 3 of that Subject which

1992provides that the cost of new public facilities should be

2002allocated to existing and future residents on the basis of

2012benefits received and Policy 6 , which provides that fiscally

2021sound and cost - eff ective techniques for financing public

2031facilities should be encouraged. Mr. Gonzalez also testified

2039that the District will further these goals and related policies.

20491 8 . Mr. Gonzalez testified that Subject 25 of the State

2061Comprehensive Plan , Plan Implem entation, should also be

2069considered. That Subject provides that systematic planning

2076shall be integrated into all levels of government, with emphasis

2086on intergovernmental coordination , should be considered .

2093§ 187.201(25), Fla. Stat. He indicated th at t he proposed

2104District is consistent with this element of the State

2113Comprehensive Plan because the proposed District will

2120systematically plan for the construction, operation , and

2127maintenance of the public improvements and the community

2135facilities authori zed under Chapter 190, Florida Statutes,

2143subject to and not inconsistent with the local government

2152comprehensive plan and land development regulations.

2158Additionally, the witness stated that the District meetings are

2167publicly advertised and are open to the public so that all

2178District property owners and residents can be involved in

2187planning for improvements.

21901 9 . Mr. Gonzalez further opined that there are three

2201relevant policies under Subject 25 : Policies 2, 3 , and 6.

2212Policy 2 seeks to ensure operational authority in each level of

2223government for the implementation of the policy directives in

2232the State Comprehensive Plan . In conjunction with that Policy,

2242the witness pointed out that Chapter 190, Florida Statutes,

2251provides the proposed District with operat ional authority to

2260deliver basic community services and capital infrastructure.

2267According to Mr. Gonzalez, Policy 3 seeks to provide effective

2277monitoring, incentive, and enforcement capabilities to ensure

2284that regulatory programs are met, and under Sectio n 189.415(2),

2294Florida Statutes, the District will have to submit public

2303facilities reports to the local general - purpose government. He

2313further stated that Policy 6 encourages citizen participation in

2322all levels of policy development, planning , and operati ons, and

2332under Chapter 190, Florida Statutes, the District is required to

2342eventually transition to a resident elected Board of

2350Supervisors . The witness added that r egardless of the method of

2362election, the Board of Supervisors must convene meetings in

2371acco rdance with Florida ' s government - in - the - sunshine laws.

238520 . Mr. Gonzalez also reviewed the proposed District in

2395light of the requirements of the Tallahassee - Leon County

2405Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Gonzalez testified that under

2412Chapter 190, Florida Statut es, the District is prohibited from

2422acting inconsistently with the loca l government comprehensive

2430plan. As to this requirement, the witness testified that the

2440establishment of the proposed District would not be inconsistent

2449with any applicable element or portion of the Tallahassee - Leon

2460County Comprehensive Plan.

24632 1. Mr. Weir indicated that t he Department of Community

2474Affairs (DCA) reviewed the Petition for compliance with its

2483various programs and responsibilities. A ccording to Mr. Weir,

2492a fter conducting a review of the Petition, the DCA identified no

2504potential inconsistency between the Petition and Chapters 163

2512and 380, Florida Statutes, and found that the land uses and

2523infrastructure improvements proposed with in the District are

2531consistent with the Sout hWood DRI Development Order (DRI) .

254122 . The testimony and exhibits indicate that the proposed

2551District will not be inconsistent with any applicable element or

2561portion of the State Comprehensive Plan or the Tallahassee - Leon

2572County Comprehensive Plan .

2576C. W hether the ar ea of land within the proposed D istrict

2589is of sufficient size, is sufficiently compact, and is

2598sufficiently contiguous to be developable as one functional

2606interrelated community.

260823 . According to Mr. Weir, t he proposed District will

2619include approximately 1,035 acres located within the City and

2629unincorporated part of the County. As indicated in the

2638testimony of Mr. Weir, Mr. Greene, and Mr. Weyer, f rom economic,

2650engineering , and management perspectives, the area of land to be

2660included in the proposed District is of sufficient size, is

2670sufficiently compact, and is sufficiently contiguous to be

2678developed as a single functionally interrelated community.

26852 4 . The testimony was that Petitioner has demonstrated

2695that the proposed District will be o f sufficient size, is

2706sufficiently compact, and is sufficiently contiguous to be

2714developed as a single functionally interrelated community.

2721D. Whether the proposed District is the best alternative

2730available for delivering community development services an d

2738facilities to the area that will be served by the proposed

2749District.

27502 5 . Petitioner's Exhibit 6 indicates that The St. Joe

2761Company's present intention is for the District to construct or

2771provide certain infrastructure i mprovements as outlined in the

2780P e tition.

27832 6 . In this respect, Mr. Wier testified that the

2794i nstallation and maintenance of infrastructure systems and

2802services by the proposed District is expected to be paid through

2813the imposition of special assessments. He added that the u se of

2825such asse ssments will ensure that the real property benefiting

2835from District services is the same property which pays for them.

28462 7 . According to witnesses Perry and Wayer, t hree

2857alternatives to the use of the District exist. First, a local

2868general - purpose govern ment might provide facilities and services

2878from its general fund. Second, a developer might provide the

2888proposed improvements using private financing. Third,

2894facilities and services might be provided by some private means,

2904with maintenance delegated to a property owners' association or

2913a homeowners' association .

29172 8 . Both witnesses testified that the District is

2927preferable to these alternatives at focusing attention on

2935providing the best long - term service to specific benefited

2945properties.

29462 9 . The y add ed that the District will construct certain

2959infrastructure and community facilities which will be needed by

2968the property owners and residents of the project. Expenses for

2978the operations and maintenance of the facilities the District

2987retains are expected t o be paid through maintenance assessments

2997to ensure that the property receiving the benefit of the

3007district services is the same property paying for those

3016services.

301730 . Mr. Perry and Mr. Weyer also testified that o nly a

3030community development district all ows for the independent

3038financing, administration, operations , and maintenance of the

3045land within such a district ; that only a community development

3055district allows district residents to ultimately completely

3062control the district ; and that the other altern atives do not

3073have these characteristics.

307631 . Mr. Perry and Mr. Weyer further testified that the

3087proposed District is the best alternative to provide the

3096proposed community development services and facilities to the

3104land included in the proposed District because it is a long -

3116term, stable, perpetual entity capable of maintaining the

3124facilities over their expected life.

31293 2. Additionally, Mr. Gonzalez testified that the boundary

3138of the proposed District is intended to track Phase II of the

3150DRI , so that th at the District will encompass those lands

3161subject to the new Phase II DRI infrastructure obligations

3170recently approved by the City .

317633 . The testimony is that Petitioner has demonstrated that

3186the proposed District is the best alternative available for

3195d elivering community development services and facilities to the

3204area that will be served by the proposed District.

3213E. Whether the community develo pment services and

3221facilities of the proposed District will be incompatible with

3230the capacity and uses of exis ting local and regional community

3241development services and facilities.

32453 4 . According to witnesses Gonzalez, Weyer, Greene, and

3255Perry, t he services and facilities proposed to be provided by

3266the District are not incompatible with uses and existing local

3276an d regional facilities and services ; the District's facilities

3285and services will not duplicate any existing regional services

3294or facilities ; and the proposed services or facilities to be

3304provided by the District are either not yet in existence or have

3316been provided in accordance with the development plan for the

3326area . Further, as noted above, the proposed District is

3336intended to track Phase II of the DRI and associated distinct

3347infrastructure obligations.

33493 5 . The testimony is that the community developme nt

3360services and facilities of the proposed District will not be

3370incompatible with the capacity and uses of existing local and

3380regional community development services and facilities.

3386F. Whether the area that will be served by the District is

3398amenable to se parate special - district government.

34063 6 . Witnesses Gonzalez, Perry, and Greene each indicated

3416that from economic, planning , engineering, and special district

3424management perspectives, the area of land to be included in the

3435proposed District is of sufficien t size, is sufficiently

3444compact, and is sufficiently contiguous to be developed and

3453become a functionally interrelated community. The y added that

3462the community to be included in the District has need for

3473certain basic infrastructure systems and the propos ed District

3482provides for an efficient mechanism to oversee the installation

3491of these improvements. Finally, as noted above , the District ' s

3502proposed establishment is intended in coordination with Phase II

3511of the DRI infrastructure obligations.

35163 7 . The t estimony is that f rom management, engineering,

3528and planning perspectives, the area that will be served by the

3539District is amenable to separate special - district government.

3548G. Other Requirements Imposed by Statute or Rule

35563 8 . Chapter 190, Florida Statut es, and Florida

3566Administrative Code Rule Chapter 42 - 1 impose specific

3575requirements regarding the petition and other information to be

3584submitted to the Commission.

3588a. Elements of the Petition

35933 9 . The Commission has certified that the Petition meets

3604all of the requirements of Section 190.005(1)(a), Florida

3612Statutes.

3613b. State ment of the Estimated Regulatory Costs

362140 . According to Mr. Weyer, the SERC contains an estimate

3632of the costs and benefits to all persons directly affected by

3643the proposed rule to est ablish the District -- the State of

3655Florida and its citizens, the City and County and their

3665citizens, Petitioner, and consumers.

366941 . Petitioner's Exhibit 8 indicates that b eyond

3678administrative costs related to rule adoption, the State and its

3688citizens wi ll only incur minimal costs from establishing the

3698District ; that these costs are related to the incremental costs

3708to various agencies of reviewing one additional local government

3717report ; that the proposed District will require no subsidies

3726from the State ; and the b enefits will include improved planning

3737and coordination of development, which is difficult to quantify

3746but nonetheless substantia l.

375042 . The same exhibit states that a dministrative costs

3760incurred by the City and County related to rule adoption wi ll be

3773modest and that these modest costs are offset by the $15,000 .00

3786filing fee required to accompany the Petition to both the City

3797and the County .

380143 . Exhibit 8 further provides that c onsumers will pay

3812non - ad valorem or special assessments for certain facilities and

3823that l ocating within the District is voluntary. It goes on to

3835say that g enerally, District financing will be less expensive

3845than maintenance through a property owners' association or

3853capital improvements financed through developer loans. I t

3861further states that b enefits to consumers in the area within the

3873community development district will include a higher level of

3882public services and amenities than might otherwise be available,

3891completion of District - sponsored improvements to the area on a

3902timely basis, and a larger share of direct control over

3912community development services and facilities within the area.

39204 4. Section 190.005(1)(a), Florida Statutes, requires the

3928petition to include a SERC which meets the requirements of

3938Section 120.541, Florida Statutes. As noted above, t he P etition

3949contains a SERC and appears to meet all requirements of that

3960statute.

3961c. Other Requirements

39644 5 . According to Mr. Weir, Pe titioner has complied with

3976the provisions of Section 190.005(1)(b)1., Florida Sta tutes, in

3985that the City and County were provided copies of the Petition

3996and were paid the requisite filing fee.

40034 6 . Section 190.005(1)(d), Florida Statutes, requires a

4012p etitioner to publish notice of the local public hearing in a

4024newspaper of general cir culation in the County for four

4034consecutive weeks prior to the hearing. The notice was

4043published in the Tallahassee Democrat , a newspaper of general

4052paid circulation in the County on May 9, 11 , 16, 23, and 30 ,

40652007 . The May 11 publication was a re - public ation of the May 9

4081publication, which mistakenly appeared in the classifieds

4088section of the newspaper.

40924 7 . No public comment was received during the hearing .

4104APPLICABLE LAW

41064 8 . This proceeding is governed by Chapters 120 and 190 ,

4118Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code Rule Chapter

412642 - 1.

41294 9 . Section 190.005(1), Florida Statutes, provides that

4138the exclusive method for establishing a community development

4146district with a size of 1,000 or more acres shall be by rule

4160adopted by the Commission.

416450 . The evidence was that the proceeding was properly

4174noticed pursuant to Section 190.005 (1)(d) , Florida Statutes, by

4183publication of an advertisement in a newspaper of general paid

4193circulation in the County and of general interest and readership

4203once ea ch week for the four consecutive weeks immediately prior

4214to the hearing.

421751 . The evidence was that Petitioner has met the

4227requirements of Section 190.005 (1)(b) , Florida Statutes,

4234regarding the submission of the Petition and satisfaction of

4243filing fee requ irements.

424752 . Petitioner bears the burden of establishing that the

4257P etition meets the relevant statutory criteria set forth in

4267Section 190.005(1)(e), Florida Statutes.

427153 . The evidence was that a ll portions of the Petition and

4284other submittals have been completed and filed as required by

4294law.

42955 4. The evidence was that a ll statements contained within

4306the Petition as corrected and supplemented at the hearing are

4316true and correct. § 190.005(1)(e)1., Fla. Stat.

43235 5. The evidence was that t he establishment o f the

4335District is not inconsistent with any applicable element or

4344portion of the State Comprehensive Plan or the effective

4353Tallahassee - Leon County Comprehensive Plan. § 190.005(1)(e)2.,

4361Fla. Stat.

43635 6 . The evidence was that the area of land within the

4376pro posed District is of sufficient size, is sufficiently

4385compact, and is sufficiently contiguous to be developable as one

4395functional interrelated community. § 190.005(1)(e)3., Fla.

4401Stat.

44025 7 . The evidence was that the proposed District is the

4414best alternativ e available for delivering community development

4422services and facilities to the area that will be served by the

4434District. § 190.005(1)(e)4., Fla. Stat.

44395 8 . The evidence was that the community de velopment

4450services and facilities of the proposed District w ill not be

4461incompatible with the capacity and uses of existing local and

4471regional community development services and facilities.

4477§ 190.005(1)(e)5., Fla. Stat.

44815 9 . The evidence was that the area to be served by the

4495proposed District is amenable to separate special district

4503government. § 190.005(1)(e)6., Fla. Stat.

4508CONCLUSION

4509Section 190.005(1)(e), Florida Statutes, states that the

4516Commission "shall consider the entire record of the local

4525hearing, resolutions adopted by the local general - purpose

4534go vernments," and the factors listed in subparagraphs 1. through

45446. of that statute. Based on the record evidence, the Petition

4555appears to meet all statutory requirements, and there appears to

4565be no reason not to grant the Petition to Establish the

4576Southeas tern Community Development District as requested by

4584Petitioner. For purposes of drafting a rule, a copy of the

4595metes and bounds description of the District is found in

4605Petition Exhibit 2 .

4609DONE AND ENTERED this 2nd day of July, 2007, in

4619Tallahassee, Leon C ounty, Florida.

4624S

4625DONALD R. ALEXANDER

4628Administrative Law Judge

4631Division of Administrative Hearings

4635The DeSoto Building

46381230 Apalachee Parkway

4641Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 3060

4646(850) 488 - 9675 SUNCOM 278 - 9675

4654Fax Filing (8 50) 921 - 6847

4661www.doah.state.fl.us

4662Filed with the Clerk of the

4668Division of Administrative Hearings

4672this 2nd day of July, 2007 .

4679ENDNOTE S

46811/ All references are to the 2006 version of the Florida

4692Statutes.

46932/ The County held its optional public hearing on April 10,

47042007, and the City held its public hearing on May 23, 2007.

4716Both the City and the County supported the establishment of the

4727District and have adopted resolutions to that effect.

4735COPIES FURNISHED:

4737Jerry McDaniel, Secretary

4740Florida Land a nd Water

4745Adjudicatory Commission

4747The Capitol, Room 180 2

4752Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0001

4757Barbara Leighty, Clerk

4760Florida Land and Water

4764Adjudicatory Commission

4766Office of Policy and Budget

4771The Capitol, Room 1801

4775Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0001

4780Paul C. Huck, Jr., General Counsel

4786Office of the Governor

4790The Capitol, Room 209

4794Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0001

4799Michael C. Eckert, Esquire

4803Hopping Green & Sams

4807Post Office Box 6526

4811Tallahassee, Florida 32314 - 6526

4816Shaw P. Stiller, General Counsel

4821Department of Community Affairs

48252555 Shumard Oak Boulevard

4829Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 2100

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Date
Proceedings
PDF:
Date: 04/29/2008
Proceedings: Final Order of Dismissal filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/23/2008
Proceedings: Agency Final Order
PDF:
Date: 07/02/2007
Proceedings: Recommended Order
PDF:
Date: 07/02/2007
Proceedings: Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
PDF:
Date: 07/02/2007
Proceedings: Admistrative Law Judge`s Report to the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission (hearing held June 5, 2007). CASE CLOSED.
PDF:
Date: 06/19/2007
Proceedings: Petitioner`s Notice of Filing of Proposed Report of Findings and Conclusions, Original Transcript of Hearing and Original Consent and Joinder of Landowner filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/19/2007
Proceedings: Proposed Report of Findings and Conclusions filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/19/2007
Proceedings: Boundary Amendment Hearing filed.
Date: 06/05/2007
Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
PDF:
Date: 06/01/2007
Proceedings: Testimony of Jorge Gonzalez for the Establishment of the Southeastern Community Development District filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/01/2007
Proceedings: Testimony of G. Russell Weyer for the Establishment of the Southeastern Community Development District filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/01/2007
Proceedings: Testimony of Fred A. Greene for the Establishment of Southeastern Community Developement District filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/01/2007
Proceedings: Testimony of James A. Perry for the Establishment of the Southeastern Community Development District filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/01/2007
Proceedings: Testimony of Bill Wier for the Establishment of the Southeastern Community Developement District filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/01/2007
Proceedings: Petitioner`s Notice of Filing of Pre-Filed Testimony.
PDF:
Date: 06/01/2007
Proceedings: Testimony of for the Establishment of the Southeastern Community Developement District filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/09/2007
Proceedings: Notice of Hearing (hearing set for June 5, 2007; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
PDF:
Date: 04/06/2007
Proceedings: Petitioner`s Request for Consolidation and Response to Initial Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/23/2007
Proceedings: Consent and Joinder of Landowner to Establishment of a Community Development District filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/23/2007
Proceedings: Petitioner`s Response to Notice of Insufficiency and Request for Additional Information filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/23/2007
Proceedings: Petition to Establish the Southeastern Community Development District filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/23/2007
Proceedings: Initial Order.

Case Information

Judge:
D. R. ALEXANDER
Date Filed:
03/23/2007
Date Assignment:
03/23/2007
Last Docket Entry:
04/29/2008
Location:
Tallahassee, Florida
District:
Northern
Agency:
Other
 

Counsels

Related Florida Statute(s) (4):