09-003597GM
Bonnie Conklin And Wendy Goodson vs.
Putnam County, Florida
Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Thursday, December 24, 2009.
Recommended Order on Thursday, December 24, 2009.
1STATE OF FLORIDA
4DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
8BONNIE CONKLIN AND WENDY )
13GOODSON, )
15)
16Petitioners, )
18)
19vs. ) Case No. 09-3597GM
24)
25PUTNAM COUNTY, FLORIDA, )
29)
30Respondent, )
32and )
34)
35STOKES LANDING ENTERPRISES, )
39LLC, )
41)
42Intervenor. )
44)
45)
46RECOMMENDED ORDER
48The final hearing in this case was held on August 31
59through September 1, 2009, in Palatka, Florida, before Bram D.
69E. Canter, an Administrative Law Judge of the Division of
79Administrative Hearings (DOAH).
82APPEARANCES
83For Petitioners: Michael W. Woodward, Esquire
89Keyser & Woodward, P.A.
93501 Atlantic Avenue
96Interlachen, Florida 32148
99Craig Z. Sherar, Esquire
1032701 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 303
109Miami, Florida 33133
112For Respondent: Russell D. Castleberry, Esquire
118Post Office Box 759
122Palatka, Florida 32148
125For Intervenor: T. R. Hainline, Esquire
131Ellen Avery-Smith, Esquire
134Rogers Towers, P.A.
1377 Waldo Street
140St. Augustine, Florida 32084
144STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE
148The issue in this case is whether the amendment to the
159Putnam County Comprehensive Plan adopted by Ordinance 2009-23 is
"168in compliance," as that term is defined in Section
177163.3184(1)(b), Florida Statutes (2008). 1/
182PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
184On June 9, 2009, Putnam County adopted Ordinance 2009-23,
193which amended the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) of the Putnam
204County Comprehensive Plan to change the future land use
213designation for a 2.4-acre parcel from Agriculture II to
222Industrial. The parcel is owned by Intervenor and located at
232597 Stokes Landing Road, which is south of Palatka in Putnam
243County (the Property).
246Because the amendment is a small scale development
254amendment, as defined in Section 163.3187(1)(c), Florida
262Statutes, no compliance review was conducted and no notice of
272intent was issued by the Department of Community Affairs.
281Petitioners filed a petition for an administrative hearing with
290DOAH to challenge the amendment. They subsequently amended
298their petition.
300At the final hearing, Joint Exhibits 1 through 5 and 7
311through 18 were admitted into evidence. Petitioners presented
319the testimony of Bonnie Conklin, Wendy Goodson, William Wilson,
328Cathy Jenkins, and expert planner Mack Cope. Petitioners
336Exhibits 2.1 through 2.4, 3.1 through 3.90, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13.1
348through 13.3, 17A, and 17B were admitted into evidence. The
358County and Intervenor presented the testimony of Kenneth Gstohl;
367planning experts Brian Hammons, Laura Dedenbach, and Lanny
375Harker; wetland expert Jonathan Napier,; and surveyor Earl
383Wallace. The testimony of Lanny Harker was presented through
392the transcript of his deposition. Respondent/Intervenors
398Exhibits 2, 3.1 through 3.4, 4 (pages 14 through 26, 28, 31
410through 33, and 35 through 41), 7, 8(f), 8(g), 10, 17, 19, and
42321 through 26 were admitted into evidence.
430The three-volume transcript of the final hearing was
438prepared and filed with DOAH. The parties filed Proposed
447Recommended Orders, which were carefully considered in the
455preparation of this Recommended Order.
460FINDINGS OF FACT
463The Parties
4651. Petitioner Bonnie Conklin resides and owns property at
474600 Stokes Landing Road. She submitted oral comments to the
484County at the adoption hearing on the amendment.
4922. Petitioner Wendy Goodson owns property at 595 Stokes
501Landing Road in Putnam County. She submitted oral comments to
511the County at the adoption hearing on the amendment.
5203. Putnam County is a political subdivision of the State
530and has adopted a comprehensive plan which it amends from time
541to time pursuant to Section 163.3167(1)(b), Florida Statutes.
5494. Intervenor Stokes Landing Enterprises, LLC (Stokes
556Landing), is a Florida limited liability company. It owns the
566Property affected by the amendment and submitted oral comments
575and evidence during the local hearings on the amendment.
584The Amendment
5865. The amendment changes the future land use designation
595of the Property from Agriculture II to Industrial. Section One
605of Ordinance 2009-23 provides that the re-designation of the
614Property is subject to the terms and conditions of the
624development agreement between the County and Stokes Landing,
632which is attached as an exhibit to the ordinance.
6416. The Property has approximately 220 feet of frontage on
651the St. Johns River. The development agreement requires that
660the Property be developed as a Planned Unit Development (PUD)
670for a ship building and repair facility. Contemporaneous with
679the adoption of the amendment, the County rezoned the Property
689to PUD.
6917. The development agreement includes the following
698recitals:
699D. Developer and the County wish to enter
707into this Agreement to set forth the
714conditions under which development of the
720facility shall be used.
724E. The County has entered into this
731Agreement in consideration of the commitment
737by Developer to construct certain
742improvements as further described in Section
7483 below (hereinafter the Improvements);
753and to redevelop the site and utilize the
761Property as a Planned Unit Development (PUD)
768only, with the understanding that the
774Developer shall apply for a PUD to operate a
783ship building and repair facility.
788* * *
791G. The conditions specified within a
797Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning
802district established by Developer pursuant
807to this Agreement will aid redevelopment of
814the Property, limit localized impacts of the
821Property and advance the implementation of
827the Countys Comprehensive Plan.
8318. Section 3 of the development agreement requires that
840the developer make the following improvements:
846(a) Access Roadway Improvement: Developer
851at its sole cost and expense shall design,
859engineer, permit, construct and install in
865accordance with all applicable laws, rules
871and regulations and the Countys approval of
878the design, the improvement(s) of the Access
885Roadway from Stokes Landing Road to the
892subject site via the established access
898easements. County approvals shall not be
904unreasonably withheld.
906(b) Timing: Developer shall complete the
912Access Roadway Improvements prior to
917starting redevelopment of the site for the
924proposed ship building and repair use.
930(c) Planned Unit Development (PUD) Zoning:
936Developer shall obtain approval of rezoning
942the Property to PUD prior to starting
949redevelopment of the site and shall maintain
956the approved PUD zoning throughout the
962duration of the Industrial future land use
969on the site. This requirement does not
976preclude any future request for a
982Comprehensive Plan Amendment to another
987future land use category and subsequent
993associated rezoning requests to a compatible
999zoning district.
1001The Property and Surrounding Land Uses
10079. Most land uses contiguous to or adjacent to the
1017Property are residential uses on lands designated Agriculture
1025II. However, 100 feet south of the Property are lands along the
1037St. Johns River designated Conservation. There are other
1045Conservation lands across the river from the Property and north
1055of the Property.
105810. The only other land uses in the area are a commercial
1070well-drilling business on land designated Agriculture II, and a
1079shipyard known as St. Johns Ship Building on lands designated
1089Industrial. The St. Johns Ship Building facility is located on
1099101 acres and is approximately 900 feet north of the Property.
111011. The lands abutting the Property on the west, south,
1120and east are currently undeveloped. Across the St. Johns River
1130from the Property is Stokes Island, which is also undeveloped.
114012. About 60 percent of the Property lies within the 100-
1151year flood zone. There are wetlands on the Property which are
1162generally of low quality due to invasive vegetation.
1170Historic Uses and Improvements on the Property
117713. The staff report for the amendment states that the
1187purpose of the amendment is to make the land use designation of
1199the property consistent with the existing use of the land,
1210which according to the applicant, has been ship building since
1221the 1960s. This statement incorrectly characterizes both the
1229existing use and the past use of the Property.
123814. Aerial photography shows that much of the Property was
1248cleared in 1943. In the 1940s and early 1950s, the County
1259hauled shell rock from the Property for road building. The
1269Property was used intermittently to build fishing vessels
1277between the 1970's and 1998. The number of vessels that were
1288built on the Property was not established by the record
1298evidence. Some barge demolition activities also occurred on the
1307Property in 2006 and 2007. Intervenor started to build a barge
1318on the Property in 2008, but was almost immediately stopped by a
1330County code enforcement officer because such activities are not
1339allowed under the Propertys agricultural zoning.
134515. The evidence shows that the barge building and barge
1355demolition activities, and probably the earlier boat building
1363activities, were conducted in violation of the agricultural
1371zoning of the Property.
137516. Two steel mooring pilings and remnants of a dock or
1386platform are still located on the Property.
139317. There was some dispute about whether there still exist
1403on the Property the rails or ways used in the past for hauling
1416vessels out of the water and for launching vessels. Although a
14272008 survey of the Property (Joint Exhibit 12) shows the rails,
1438they do not appear in recent photographs of the Property
1448(Respondent/Intervenors Exhibits 3.1 through 3.4 and
1454Petitioners Exhibits 13.1 through 13.3).
145918. The shoreline along the east boundary of the Property
1469is not bulkheaded and, except for the clearing that has occurred
1480on the Property, remains in a relatively natural condition.
1489Whether the Subject Property is a Port
149619. The parties disputed whether the Property is an
1505existing water port, which is relevant to the Comprehensive Plan
1515policies regarding the location of industrial uses, as will be
1525discussed below. The term port is not defined in the
1535Comprehensive Plan. Port facility is defined in Florida
1543Administrative Code Rule 9J-5.003(92) as:
1548[H]arbor or shipping improvements used
1553predominantly for commercial purposes
1557including channels, turning basins, jetties,
1562breakwaters, landings, wharves, docks,
1566markets, structures, buildings, piers,
1570storage facilities, plazas, anchorages,
1574utilities, bridges, tunnels, roads,
1578causeways, and all other property or
1584facilities necessary or useful in connection
1590with commercial shipping.
1593This definition is not particularly helpful in resolving the
1602dispute in this case, because it is a list of facilities (e.g.,
1614buildings) that can be associated with a port, rather than an
1625identification of the elements that are essential to being a
1635port.
163620. In the traffic circulation section of the Putnam
1645County Comprehensive Plan Data, Inventory, and Analysis, under
1653the heading Port Facilities, there is one water port
1663identified:
1664Putnam County is currently served by a small
1672barge port on the St Johns River, which is
1681located between downtown Palatka and Rice
1687Creek. . . . This barge facility is
1695incorporated into a larger industrial park
1701setting and provides an alternative method
1707of moving certain types of goods and
1714material into and out of the County.
172121. The word port is defined in Websters Dictionary as
1731town or city where ships may take on or discharge cargo.
1742Websters New Collegiate Dictionary 889 (1979 ed.) The latter
1751definition indicates that the transport of cargo by water
1760between land sites (ports) is the core of the meaning.
177022. When deep harbors, channels, and turning basins occur
1779naturally or are created and used by ships, there is little
1790cause to dispute that a port exists. Here, there are no such
1802natural or man-made features. The shoreline at the subject
1811Property was not shown to differ from much of the shoreline
1822along the St. Johns River. 2/
182823. As indicated above, a port is a transportation
1837facility where waterborne goods are loaded and unloaded. A port
1847boats are built, repaired, and stored and often sold or rented.
1858Merriam-Websters On-Line Dictionary (2009)
186224. The remnant boat building facilities on the Property
1871do not make a port. It is found that the Property was used
1884intermittently in the past as a boatyard, but it was never a
1896water port.
1898Road Access to the Property
190325. The Propertys connection to the nearest public, paved
1912road, is currently by easements over an unpaved drive. A 50-
1923foot-wide easement extends north from the Property approximately
1931240 feet over an unpaved drive, then makes a 90-degree turn to
1943the west along a 25-foot-wide, unpaved easement that runs about
1953325 feet to the beginning of a paved portion of the easement,
1965then continues 545 feet further west to the publicly owned and
1976paved Stokes Landing Road.
198026. Petitioners Conklin and Goodson own property and
1988reside along the 25-foot easement. There are about a dozen
1998other residences along the easements. There are many other
2007residences along the public portion of Stokes Landing Road to
2017its connection with U.S. 19.
202227. Petitioners attempted to show that Intervenors access
2030to the Property from the public portion of Stokes Landing Road
2041is legally insufficient because a small strip of land at the
2052intersection of the 50-foot easement and the 25-foot easement is
2062not included in the easements held by Intervenor. However,
2071because Intervenor showed colorable easement rights over the
2079entire private roadway, the Administrative Law Judge declined to
2088take evidence on or determine the merits of the adverse real
2099property claim.
210128. Stokes Landing Road is classified as a local road by
2112Putnam County. It is not an arterial or collector road.
2122Although the properties along the unpaved road have a mailing
2132address of Stokes Landing Road, some of the official documents
2142that describe or depict Stokes Landing Road do not include the
2153private easement segments.
215629. It was estimated that the proposed boatyard would
2165generate about 30 daily employee vehicle trips and one trip for
2176pickup or delivery.
217930. Intervenor presented evidence that a truck with a
2188wheel base of 50 feet (typical of a truck and semi-trailer)
2199could make the 90-degree right turn from a 25-foot-wide roadway
2209onto a 50-foot-wide roadway. However, to do so, the truck would
2220have to use the left side of the 25-foot easement and the left
2233side of the 50-foot easement (from the drivers perspective).
2242In other words, the truck would have to enter the lanes used by
2255oncoming traffic.
2257Internal Consistency
225931. Petitioners contend that the amendment is inconsistent
2267with Policy A.1.9.3.A.6.d of the Future Land Use Element (FLUE)
2277of the Comprehensive Plan. That policy states:
2284Industrial Uses shall be located on sites
2291that use existing utilities or resources;
2297utilize one or more transportation
2302facilities such as air ports, water ports,
2309collector roads, arterial roads, and
2314railroads; do not require significant non-
2320residential vehicular traffic to pass
2325through established neighborhoods; and are
2330sufficiently separated and/or buffered when
2335necessary from residential and other urban
2341uses to minimize adverse impacts of noise,
2348glare, dust, smoke, odor or fumes.
235432. The Property is not located on a collector road or
2365arterial road. It is not a water port.
237333. The amendment would require significant non-
2380residential vehicular traffic to pass through an established
2388neighborhood. The non-residential traffic is significant
2394because it more than doubles the existing traffic in the most
2405rural portion of Stokes Landing Road and would create an unsafe
2416condition for every trip to and from the Property by a large
2428truck. It is not sound planning to locate an industrial use on
2440property that is served only by a narrow residential driveway.
2450It is not sound planning to locate an industrial use on a road
2463where access by large trucks will require that the trucks travel
2474in the oncoming traffic lanes.
247934. The Property is not sufficiently separated or buffered
2488from residential uses to minimize the adverse impacts of noise,
2498glare, dust, smoke, odor, and fumes. Currently, there are
2507vacant, wooded parcels adjacent to the Property, but the
2516Intervenor has no control over these parcels and they will not
2527always be vacant. The proposed industrial use is incompatible
2536with the dominant pattern of development surrounding the
2544Property, which is rural residential.
254935. Intervenor argues that the Agriculture II land use
2558designation allows intensive agricultural land uses, such as
2566slaughter houses, suggesting that the residents are already
2574subject to the possibility of adverse impacts from noise, glare,
2584dust, smoke, odor, and fumes. However, there are no intensive
2594agricultural uses in the area and no evidence to suggest that
2605such development is likely to occur in the future. The dominant
2616land use is likely to remain rural residential.
262436. Petitioners contend that the amendment is inconsistent
2632with Goal 1 of the FLUE, which is to maintain the quality of
2645life by establishing a pattern of development that is
2654harmonious with the Countys natural environment and provides a
2663desired lifestyle for County residents. The proposed boat
2671building and repair operation in this rural residential
2679neighborhood would significantly degrade the desired lifestyle
2686of the residents in the area.
269237. Petitioners contend that the amendment is inconsistent
2700with FLUE Policy A.1.1.1.A.3., which prohibits land uses that
2709generate, store, or dispose of hazardous waste in areas of
2719special flood hazard. However, Policy A.1.1.1.A.2.b. expressly
2726allows water-dependent components of a development to be located
2735in areas of special flood hazard. When FLUE Objective A.1.1 and
2746its accompanying policies are read in pari materia , they
2755indicate that a water-dependent land use can be allowed in the
2766floodplain as long as any generation, storage, or disposal of
2776hazardous waste will occur outside of the floodplain.
2784Petitioners did not show that the proposed boatyard cannot be
2794operated in conformance with these policies.
280038. For similar reasons, Petitioners contention that the
2808amendment is inconsistent with FLUE Policy A.1.1.E. is
2816unpersuasive. That policy encourages the clustering of
2823development away from flood-prone areas. However, in the case
2832of water-dependent land uses, the water-dependent components of
2840the land use must be located near the water.
284939. Petitioners contend that the amendment is inconsistent
2857with FLUE Objective A.1.3 and FLUE Policy A.1.3.1, which
2866encourage the elimination or reduction of non-conforming uses.
2874Petitioners argue that past boat building and boat repair
2883operations at the Property were non-conforming uses under the
2892Agriculture II land use category and should be eliminated.
290140. Petitioners arguments are not persuasive because, if
2909the amendment is approved, the boatyard uses would not be
2919inconsistent with the FLUM. Furthermore, Petitioners showed
2926that there is no existing, non-conforming use of the Property,
2936so there is no non-conforming use that needs to be reduced or
2948eliminated.
294941. Petitioners contend that the amendment is inconsistent
2957with FLUE Policy A.1.3.2, which states:
2963Adequate buffering and separation between
2968land uses of different densities and
2974intensities shall be provided in accordance
2980with the Land Development Code to minimize
2987compatibility issues.
2989This policy directs that the Land Development Code (Code)
2998shall establish buffering requirements to minimize
3004incompatibility. Compatibility is also a comprehensive planning
3011issue that can cause an amendment to be not in compliance,
3023regardless of the buffering regulations contained in the Code,
3032but this particular policy is only directed to the Code.
3042Petitioners did not show that the Code does not contain
3052buffering requirements.
305442. Petitioners contend that the amendment is inconsistent
3062with FLUE Policy A.1.4.9, which requires a vegetated upland
3071buffer for any waterfront development. The Petitioners
3078evidence on this issue was insufficient to establish that the
3088required buffer could not be provided. Furthermore, the policy
3097directs the County to adopt regulations to establish the buffer
3107requirements. Petitioners did not show that such regulations
3115were not adopted by the County.
312143. Petitioners contend that the amendment is inconsistent
3129with FLUE Policy A.1.6.1, which encourages infill within the
3138designated urban service areas of the County. Water-dependent
3146uses must be located where the water is located. Therefore,
3156infill policies cannot be applied to water-dependent uses in the
3166same manner as with other land uses. Although the availability
3176of necessary urban services is still a relevant inquiry,
3185Petitioners did not present evidence on this point.
3193Consistency with Rule 9J-5
319744. Petitioners contend that the amendment is inconsistent
3205with Florida Administrative Code Rule 9J-5.003(23), which
3212encourages the reduction or elimination of inconsistent uses;
3220Rule 9J-5.006(3)(c)2., which requires that comprehensive plans
3227provide for compatibility of adjacent land uses; and Rules 9J-
32375.006(5)(h)6. and 8., which require that amendments be reviewed
3246for compatibility and functional relationship with adjacent
3253land uses.
325545. The term compatibility is defined in Florida
3263Administrative Code Rule 9J-5.003(23) as:
3268[A] condition in which land uses or
3275conditions can coexist in relative proximity
3281to each other in a stable fashion over time
3290such that no use or condition is unduly
3298negatively impacted directly or indirectly
3303by another use or condition.
3308A definition is not a regulation that requires compliance. A
3318definition simply shows the intended meaning for a term used in
3329a regulation. Therefore, a comprehensive plan amendment cannot
3337be inconsistent with a definition.
334246. Florida Administrative Code Rule 9J-5.006(3)(b)3.
3348requires the future land use elements of comprehensive plans to
3358contain one or more objectives that encourages the elimination
3367or reduction of uses inconsistent with the communitys character
3376and future land uses. This rule addresses existing non-
3385conforming uses. The Property is no longer being used in a
3396manner that is inconsistent with the communitys character.
3404Therefore, there is no inconsistent use of the Property that
3414needs to be reduced or eliminated.
342047. Florida Administrative Code Rule 9J-5.006(3)(c)2.
3426requires the future land use element of a comprehensive plan to
3437contain one or more policies that provide for compatibility of
3447adjacent land uses. It was found, above, that the rural
3457residential neighborhood adjacent to the Property would be
3465negatively impacted by boat building and boat repair uses of the
3476Property. The amendment is incompatible with the surrounding
3484rural residential neighborhood.
348748. Florida Administrative Code Rules 9J-5.006(5)(h)6. and
34948. relate specifically to the analysis of whether an amendment
3504fails to discourage the proliferation of urban sprawl. Because
3513Petitioners did not raise urban sprawl as an issue, they cannot
3524claim inconsistency with these rules.
352949. Petitioners contend that the amendment is inconsistent
3537with Section 163.3177(8), Florida Statutes, and Florida
3544Administrative Code Rule 9J-5.005(2), which require that an
3552amendment be based on relevant and appropriate data and
3561analysis. Petitioners believe that there is no demonstrated
3569need for additional industrial uses in the County.
357750. Petitioners argument and evidence on the issue of
3586need failed to take into account the water-dependent use that is
3597proposed. Petitioners computations to show that there are
3605substantial acres of unused industrial lands in the County fails
3615to address the question of whether there is a need for
3626additional water-dependent land uses.
3630CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
363351. The Division of Administrative Hearings has
3640jurisdiction over the subject matter of and parties to this
3650proceeding pursuant to Sections 120.569, 120.57, and
3657163.3187(3)(a), Florida Statutes.
366052. In order to have standing to challenge a plan
3670amendment, a challenger must be an affected person, which is
3681defined in Section 163.3184(1)(a), Florida Statutes, as a person
3690who resides, owns property, or owns or operates a business
3700within the local government whose comprehensive plan amendment
3708is challenged, and who submitted comments, recommendations, or
3716objections to the local government during the period of time
3726beginning with the transmittal hearing and ending with
3734amendments adoption.
373653. Petitioners Conklin and Goodson and Intervenor Stokes
3744Landing are "affected persons" as that term is defined in
3754Section 163.3184(1)(a), Florida Statutes.
375854. Pursuant to Chapter 163.3184, the Department of
3766Community Affairs is charged with the duty to determine whether
3776comprehensive plan amendments are in compliance. However,
3783because this amendment involves a parcel of land that is smaller
3794than ten acres, it is a small-scale development amendment and
3804is not subject to a compliance review by the Department.
3814See § 163.3187(1)(c), Fla. Stat.
381955. If the Administrative Law Judge recommends that a
3828small scale development amendment be found not in compliance,
3837the recommendation is submitted to the Administration Commission
3845for final action. If the Administrative Law Judge recommends
3854that a small scale development amendment be found in compliance,
3864the recommendation is submitted to the Department of Community
3873Affairs for final action. See § 163.3187(3)(b), Fla. Stat.
388256. The term in compliance is defined in Section
3891163.3184(1)(b), Florida Statutes:
3894In compliance means consistent with the
3900requirements of ss. 163.3177, when a local
3907government adopts an educational facilities
3912element, 163.3178, 163.3180, 163.3191, and
3917163.3245, with the state comprehensive plan,
3923with the appropriate strategic regional
3928policy plan, and with chapter 9J-5, Florida
3935Administrative Code, where such rule is not
3942inconsistent with this part and with the
3949principles for guiding development in
3954designated areas of critical state concern
3960and with part III of chapter 369, where
3968applicable.
396957. A local governments determination that a small scale
3978amendment is in compliance is presumed to be correct and shall
3989be sustained when challenged unless it is shown by a
3999preponderance of the evidence that the amendment is not in
4009compliance. § 163.3187(3)(a), Fla. Stat.
401458. The amendment is inconsistent with Section 163.3177,
4022Florida Statutes, because the amendment violates Subsection
4029163.3177(2), Florida Statutes, which requires the elements of a
4038comprehensive plan to be internally consistent. Petitioners
4045proved by a preponderance of the evidence that that the
4055amendment is internally inconsistent with FLUE Goal 1 and FLUE
4065Policy A.1.9.3.A.6.d.
406759. The amendment is inconsistent with Florida
4074Administrative Code Chapter 9J-5, because Petitioners proved by
4082a preponderance of the evidence that the amendment fails to
4092comply with Florida Administrative Code Rule 9J-5.005(3)(c),
4099which requires compatibility with adjacent land uses.
410660. Petitioners failed to prove by a preponderance of the
4116evidence that the amendment was not supported by appropriate
4125data and analysis with regard to the issue of the need for
4137additional water-dependent, industrial land uses. Despite this
4144conclusion, the more persuasive evidence in the record shows
4153that the proposed industrial use should not be placed in this
4164location.
416561. Because Intervenor showed colorable easement rights
4172over the entire private portion of Stokes Landing Road, the
4182Administrative Law Judge declined to take evidence or determine
4191the merits of Petitioners argument that Intervenors easement
4199rights were subject to an adverse claim. The circuit courts
4209have exclusive jurisdiction to resolve real property disputes.
4217See § 26.012, Fla. Stat.
422262. In summary, Petitioners proved by a preponderance of
4231the evidence that the amendment is not in compliance, as the
4243term is defined in Section 163.3184(1)(b), Florida Statutes.
4251RECOMMENDATION
4252Based on the forgoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
4262Law, it is
4265RECOMMENDED that the Administration Commission enter a
4272Final Order determining that the amendment adopted by Putnam
4281County through Ordinance 2009-23 is not in compliance.
4289DONE AND ENTERED this 24th day of December, 2009, in
4299Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.
4303BRAM D. E. CANTER
4307Administrative Law Judge
4310Division of Administrative Hearings
4314The DeSoto Building
43171230 Apalachee Parkway
4320Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060
4323(850) 488-9675
4325Fax Filing (850) 921-6847
4329www.doah.state.fl.us
4330Filed with the Clerk of the
4336Division of Administrative Hearings
4340this 24th day of December, 2009.
4346ENDNOTES
43471 / All references to the Florida Statutes are to the 2008
4359codification.
43602/ In contrast, St Johns Ship Building constructed a dry dock,
4371turning basin, and artificial channel to connect its facilities
4380to the St Johns River.
4385COPIES FURNISHED :
4388Russell D. Castleberry, Esquire
4392Putnam County Attorney
4395518 St. Johns Avenue
4399Post Office Box 758
4403Palatka, Florida 32178-0758
4406Barbara Leighty, Clerk
4409Transportation and Economic
4412Development Policy Unit
4415The Capitol, Room 1801
4419Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001
4422Robert Wheeler, General Counsel
4426Office of the Governor
4430The Capitol, Suite 209
4434Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001
4437Shaw P. Stiller, General Counsel
4442Department of Community Affairs
44462555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
4450Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
4453Michael W. Woodward, Esquire
4457Keyser & Woodward, P.A.
4461Post Office Box 92
4465Interlachen, Florida 32148-0092
4468Craig Z. Sherar, Esquire
44722701 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 303
4478Tallahassee, Florida 33133
4481Theodore Ronald Hainline, Esquire
4485Rogers Towers, P.A.
44881301 Riverplace Boulevard., Suite 1500
4493Jacksonville, Florida 32207
4496Ellen Avery-Smith, Esquire
4499Rogers Towers, P.A.
45027 Waldo Street
4505St. Augustine, Florida 32084
4509NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS
4515All parties have the right to submit written exceptions
4524within 15 days from the date of this Recommended Order. Any
4535exceptions to this Recommended Order should be filed with the
4545agency that will issue the Final Order in this case.
- Date
- Proceedings
- PDF:
- Date: 01/12/2010
- Proceedings: Order Granting Joint Motion for Extension of Time to file Exceptions to Recommended Order filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 12/24/2009
- Proceedings: Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
- PDF:
- Date: 12/24/2009
- Proceedings: Recommended Order (hearing held August 31-September 1, 2009). CASE CLOSED.
- PDF:
- Date: 10/27/2009
- Proceedings: Motion to Strike Respondent and Intervenor's Notice of Supplemental Authorities filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 10/14/2009
- Proceedings: Proposed Recommended Order by Respondent Putnam County and Intervenor Stokes Landing Enterprises, LLC filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 10/14/2009
- Proceedings: Notice of Filing Proposed Recommended Order by Respondent Putnam County and Intervenor Stokes Landing Enterprises, LLC filed.
- Date: 09/24/2009
- Proceedings: Transcript (Volumes I-III) filed.
- Date: 08/31/2009
- Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/31/2009
- Proceedings: Motion in Limine to Exclude Evidence Regarding Ownership or Title Matters Related to Easement Area filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/12/2009
- Proceedings: Respondent's and Intervenor's Joint Notice of Taking Deposition filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 07/31/2009
- Proceedings: Amended Notice of Hearing (hearing set for August 31 through September 2, 2009; 1:00 p.m.; Palatka, FL; amended as to dates).
- PDF:
- Date: 07/30/2009
- Proceedings: Joint Motion to Reschedule Hearing Date Pursuant to Section 163.3187(3)(a), Florida Statutes filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 07/22/2009
- Proceedings: Notice of Hearing (hearing set for December 9 through 11, 2009; 1:00 p.m.; Palatka, FL).
- PDF:
- Date: 07/16/2009
- Proceedings: Order Granting Petition to Intervene (Stokes Landing Enterprises, LLC).
Case Information
- Judge:
- BRAM D. E. CANTER
- Date Filed:
- 07/09/2009
- Date Assignment:
- 07/09/2009
- Last Docket Entry:
- 04/14/2010
- Location:
- Palatka, Florida
- District:
- Northern
- Agency:
- ADOPTED IN TOTO
- Suffix:
- GM
Counsels
-
Ellen Avery-Smith, Esquire
Address of Record -
Russell D. Castleberry, Esquire
Address of Record -
Theodore Ronald Hainline, Esquire
Address of Record -
Craig Z. Sherar, Esquire
Address of Record -
Shaw P. Stiller, Esquire
Address of Record -
Michael W. Woodward, Esquire
Address of Record -
T.R. Hainline, Esquire
Address of Record -
Craig Z Sherar, Esquire
Address of Record