15-000704DRI Department Of Economic Opportunity vs. Lake County And Rubin Groves Of Clermont, Llc
 Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Friday, August 21, 2015.


View Dockets  
Summary: DEO proved that Lake County's proposed development order was inconsistent with the Lake County Comprehensive Plan and land use regulations.

1STATE OF FLORIDA

4DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

8DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC

11OPPORTUNITY,

12Petitioner,

13vs. Case No. 15 - 0704

19LAKE COUNTY AND RUBIN GROVES OF

25CLERMONT, LLC,

27Respondents.

28_______________________________/

29RECOMMENDED ORD ER

32The final hearing in this case was held May 20 and 21, 2015,

45in Tavares, Florida, before Bram D. E. Canter, Administrative Law

55Judge of the Division of Administrative Hearings (ÐDOAHÑ).

63APPEARANCES

64For Petitioner: Aaron C. Dunlap, Esquire

70Departme nt of Economic Opportunity

75Office of the General Counsel

80Caldwell Building, MSC 110

84107 East Madison Street

88Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 4128

93For Respondent Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC:

100Jimmy D. Crawford, Esquire

104Merideth Nagel, PA

1071201 We st Highway 50

112Clermont, Florida 34711

115Harry Hackney, Esquire

118Campione & Hackney, P.A.

1222750 Dora Avenue

125Tavares, Florida 32778

128For Respondent Lake County:

132Erin Hartigan, Esquire

135Office of the Lake County Attorney

141315 West Main Stree t

146Tavares, Florida 32778

149STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE S

154The issues to be determined in this case are whether a

165development order approved by Lake County is consistent with the

175Lake County Comprehensive Plan, the Lake County land development

184regulations, and the Principles for Guiding Development in the

193Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern.

200PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

202On January 28, 2014, the Lake County Board of County

212Commissioners adopted Ordinance 2014 - 7, which approved a

221development order for property o wned by Respondent Rubin Groves

231of Clermont, LLC (ÐRubin GrovesÑ). Petitioner Department of

239Economic Opportunity (ÐDEOÑ) filed an appeal to the Florida Land

249and Water Adjudicatory Commission, which then referred the matter

258to DOAH to conduct an evidentiar y hearing and issue a recommended

270order.

271At the final hearing, DEO presented the testimony of Rebecca

281Jetton, Administrator for Areas of Critical State Concern at DEO;

291Rick Hartenstein, Senior Land Use Planner with Lake County;

300Dr. Jonathan Arthur, State Geologist and Director of the Florida

310Geological Survey, accepted as an expert in geology and

319hydrogeology; Dr. Stuart Norton, Florida Geologic Survey

326Environmental Consultant, accepted as an expert in geology and

335hydrogeology; and Dr. Samuel Upchurch, Vic e President and Senior

345Principle Geologist at SDII Global Corporation, accepted as an

354expert in geology and hydrogeology. DEO Exhibits 1 through 24

364were admitted into evidence.

368Rubin Groves presented the testimony of Sheldon Rubin, the

377owner of Rubin Gro ves; Kenneth Randall Wicks, accepted as an

388expert in civil engineering and site development and design;

397Nicholas Andreyev, accepted as an expert in groundwater modeling

406as it relates to stormwater, and groundwater engineering; William

415A. Ray, accepted as a n expert in planning, environmental studies,

426and natural science; Fred Schneider, County Engineer; and Harvey

435Harper, accepted as an expert in stormwater and water quality.

445Rubin GrovesÓ Exhibits 1 through 3 and 5 through 18 were admitted

457into evidence.

459Lake County presented no witnesses and offered no exhibits.

468The four - volume Transcript of the final hearing was filed

479with DOAH. The parties filed P roposed R ecommended O rders which

491were considered by the Administrative Law Judge in preparing this

501Recomme nded Order.

504FINDINGS OF FACT

507The Parties

5091. Petitioner DEO is the state land planning agency with

519the authority and responsibility to review development orders

527issued in Areas of Critical State Concern.

5342. Respondent Lake County is a political sub division of the

545State with jurisdiction over the affected property.

5523. Respondent Rubin Groves is a Florida limited liability

561company doing business in Lake County. Rubin Groves is the owner

572of the approximate 131 acres in Lake County (Ðthe PropertyÑ) o n

584which development was approved by the Ordinance.

591Background

5924. The Property is located within the Green Swamp Area of

603Critical State Concern and more particularly within the Lake

612Wales Ridge. The PropertyÓs future land use designation under

621the Lake County Comprehensive Plan is Green Swamp Ridge.

6305. The topography of the Property is generally a hill,

640bounded by U.S Highway 27 to the east, a wetland to the west, and

654properties approved for mixed - use residential uses to the north.

6656. Existing elevatio ns are approximately 130 feet NGVD at

675the wetland on the western boundary of the Property, 140 feet

686NGVD on eastern boundary at U.S. 27, with the top of the hill in

700the center portion of the property at an elevation of about 180

712feet NGVD.

7147. In June 2010 , Rubin Groves filed a pre - submittal

725application with Lake County that proposed a borrow pit (mining)

735operation for the Property. The County informed Rubin Groves

744that mining was prohibited in the Green Swamp Ridge and

754Rubin Groves took no further action on the pre - submittal

765application.

7668. In February 2013, Lake County approved Rubin GrovesÓ

775application to rezone the Property. Ordinance No. 2013 - 8 rezoned

786the Property from Agricultural to Planned Unit Development

794(ÐPUDÑ), allowing a mixed - use developme nt of 490 single - family

807residential units and 24.54 acres of commercial uses.

8159. Less than a year later, Rubin Groves applied to amend

826the PUD to allow Ðmass gradingÑ of the Property to make it

838relatively level to accommodate a residential development fo r the

848elderly and disabled (mobility - impaired).

85410. The Mass Grading Plan calls for removing 2.4 to 3.0

865million cubic yards of sand from the Property. The average cut

876or change in elevation would be 11 to 12 feet. The deepest cut,

889near the center of the Property, would be about 30 feet.

90011. The contractor that Rubin Groves would hire to extract

910and remove the sand from the Property would sell the sand and the

923income would be applied to offset the costs charged to Rubin

934Groves for the work.

93812. The Lake County Community Design staff recommended

946denial of the application based upon the following: (1) the

956activities proposed in the Mass Grading Plan constitute mining;

965(2) mining is prohibited in the Green Swamp Ridge future land use

977category in the Lake C ounty Comprehensive Plan (ÐComp PlanÑ); (3)

988the Mass Grading would result in the property's elevation being

998lowered more than the 10 - foot limit in the Lake County Code; (4)

1012the applicant failed to demonstrate that the Mass Grading Plan was

1023necessary to dev elop the site; and (5) the Mass Grading Plan did

1036not comply with the Green Swamp Principles for Guiding

1045Development, sections (1), (2) (7) and (10).

10521 3 . On January 28, 2014, the Board of County Commissioners

1064of Lake County approved the rezoning applicatio n, including the

1074Mass Grading Plan, through the adoption of Ordinance No. 2014 - 7.

1086Whether Sand Mining is Allowed in the Green Swamp Ridge

10961 4 . In the previous version of the Comp Plan, mining was

1109expressly prohibited in the Green Swamp Ridge future land use

1119category.

11201 5 . In the current Comp Plan, there are four future land

1133use categories established within the Green Swamp: Green Swamp

1142Ridge, Green Swamp Rural, Green Swamp Rural/Conservation, and

1150Green Swamp Core/Conservation. For each category, the Com p Plan

1160lists ÐTypical UsesÑ and ÐTypical Uses Requiring a Conditional

1169Use Permit.Ñ

11711 6 . Mining is not listed as a typical use in any category,

1185and it is not similar to any listed typical use.

11951 7 . In all categories except Green Swamp Ridge, sand mining

1207is listed as a typical use requiring a conditional use permit.

12181 8 . The format of these Comp Plan provisions, together with

1230the fact that sand mining was expressly prohibited in the

1240previous version of the Comp Plan, plainly indicates that sand

1250mining is not an allowed use in the Green Swamp Ridge future land

1263use category.

1265Whether the Proposed Mass Grading is Mining

127219 . The Comp Plan defines ÐMining ActivitiesÑ as:

1281The mining of materials, ore or other

1288naturally occurring materials from the earth

1294by whatever method, including the removal of

1301overburden for the purpose of extracting and

1308removing from the site such underlying

1314deposits and all associated clearing, grading,

1320construction, processing, transportation and

1324reclamation on the property, and includes the

1331term pre - mining activities and lake creation

1339but shall not be deemed to include activities

1347associated with site surveying, environmental

1352monitoring, mineral exploration or the sinking

1358or operation of test wells and similar

1365activities.

13662 0 . Section 6.06.0 1(F) of the Lake County Code creates

1378eight exemptions to the requirement to obtain a mining

1387conditional use permit and they are activities not commonly

1396considered to be mining. For example, excavating and removing

1405dirt to install a swimming pool does not require a mining

1416conditional use permit. Excavating and removing dirt to install

1425a swimming pool is not commonly considered to be a mining

1436activity.

14372 1 . The broad definition in the Comp Plan could allow for

1450absurd applications, contrary to its ordinary meaning, if the

1459term was interpreted to mean the removal of any amount of

1470material from the ground for any purpose. The definition of

1480Ðmining activitiesÑ must be read in conjunction with section

14896.06.01(F) of the Lake County Code and the latter, along wit h

1501common sense, provide guidance for what is mining.

15092 2 . It is not mining to excavate soil to install a swimming

1523pool because mining is commonly understood to involve more than

1533the excavation of a small amount of material in a small amount of

1546time. Mini ng is commonly understood to be an ongoing business of

1558extracting and selling a large volume of material.

15662 3 . One of the exemptions from the requirement to obtain a

1579mining conditional use permit is excavation associated with

1587construction activities:

1589Exca vation in conjunction with bona fide

1596commercial, industrial or Subdivision

1600Construction provided a Construction approval

1605or Building Permit has been obtained from the

1613County and Excavation is completed and

1619Construction initiated within a reasonable

1624period of time from the date that Excavation

1632is initiated. Said time period shall be

1639determined by the County based upon the type

1647of Construction and shall be indicated on the

1655written exemption document. Excess Overburden

1660generated as a result of the bona fide

1668Construction may be Removed offsite only as

1675follows:

1676a. Excess overburden generated as a result of

1684the bona fide Construction may be removed

1691offsite so long as the County Manager or

1699designee is provided written notice during

1705Construction approval or Buil ding Permit

1711application process and so long as the total

1719amount of material removed offsite is not

1726greater than two hundred (200) percent of the

1734minimum stormwater retention/detention volume

1738required.

1739b. If the [200 percent limit] is exceeded or

1748excavati on is not storm water related, the

1756County Manager or designee may give approval

1763for removal of such excess Overburden if the

1771applicant shows that removal of such excess

1778Overburden is necessary for development of the

1785Site due to physical factors of the Land or

1794Permitting requirements from a governmental

1799agency. In making this decision, the County

1806Manager or designee shall consider the

1812following factors:

1814(1) Unique physical characteristics and

1819topography of the Land involved;

1824(2) Engineering and environm ental factors

1830requiring overburden removal;

1833(3) Whether excavation and removal of

1839Overburden is necessary for access to the

1846property;

1847(4) Permitting requirements of state, local

1853and federal governmental agencies; or

1858(5) Such other matters that may be deemed

1866appropriate by the County Manager or designee.

18732 4 . Rubin Groves proposes to remove much more than 200

1885percent of the volume needed for stormwater retention/detention .

1894Rubin Grove says it intends to seek the approval of the County

1906Manager for exe mption from the requirement to obtain a mining

1917conditional use permit. However, a s noted above, Ordinance

19262014 - 7 approves the Mass Grading Plan and, therefore, already

1937authorizes Rubin Groves to exceed the 200 percent criterion.

19462 5 . Rubin Groves believes it qualifies for the exemption

1957for excavation associated with construction because of its need

1966to level the Property to make the subdivision suitable for

1976mobility - impaired residents. However, that explanation falls

1984short of demonstrating necessity becaus e it does not explain why

1995the Property could not be leveled by moving sand from higher

2006areas of the Property to lower areas. Rubin Groves did not

2017explain why so much sand has to be removed from the Property, but

2030there is some evidence indicating the reaso n is to allow the

2042residential development to be constructed upon the deeper soils

2051that are denser and more stable.

20572 6 . The exemption for bona fide construction activities,

2067like the other activities exempted in Section 6.06.01(F) is not

2077intended to allow m ining. The Mass Grading Plan i s sand mining

2090because it involve s activities that are indistinguishable from

2099the business of sand mining.

21042 7 . The estimated volume of sand to be removed, 2.4 to 3.0

2118million cubic yards, equates to 133,333 to 166,666 truckloa ds of

2131sand.

213228 . One of Rubin Groves Ó experts stated that, if there was

2145a road construction project which needed the sand, Rubin Groves

2155might be able to extract and haul away the sand in nine or ten

2169months. However, even at the lower figure of 133,333 tru ckloads,

2181removal in 10 months would amount to about 444 truckloads per day

2193with no days off; an ambitious pace. It is more reasonable to

2205believe removal of the sand would take over a year to complete,

2217perhaps much longer if there are no suitable road proj ects.

222829 . A year - long or longer operation of extracting and

2240hauling away sand in 133,333 to 166,666 truckloads, and selling

2252it for roadbuilding and other construction projects, is

2260indistinguishable from the business of sand mining. It conform s

2270with the c ommon meaning of Ðmining.Ñ

22773 0 . Rubin Groves argues that it does not matter how much

2290sand it wants to remove (even Ða zillionÑ cubic yards) because

2301Rubin GrovesÓ purpose is not sand mining. According to that

2311view, even if sand removal at the Rubin Groves site would

2322(otherwise) amount to the largest sand mine in Florida, it could

2333not be regulated as mining because Rubin Groves Ó purpose is to

2345build a residential subdivision afterward. However, the Mass

2353Grading Plan is indistinguishable from sand mining by a landowner

2363who has no plans to develop a residential subdivision afterward.

237331. The reason there are special regulations in the Comp

2383Plan and Lake County Code (and elsewhere) for mining activities

2393is to address the impacts associated with mining. The

2402reg ulations are not concerned with the land use ambitions of

2413landowners or with the profitability of their enterprises. Rubin

2422GrovesÓ interpretation of the Lake County Code is inconsistent

2431with the plain intent of the Comp Plan and Lake County Code

2443because i ts interpretation would allow mining impacts, but not

2453make them subject to the mining prohibitions and regulations that

2463were adopted to address mining impacts.

246932 . Rubin Groves Ó argument about purpose is unpersuasive.

2479Rubin Groves Ó purpose is to mine san d and then build a

2492subdivision.

24933 3 . Rubin GrovesÓ argument that the Mass Grading Plan would

2505not be regulated as mining by the Department of Environmental

2515Protection (ÐDEPÑ) under Florida Administrative Code Rule 62C - 39

2525is also unpersuasive. First, whethe r the Mass Grading Plan is

2536subject to state regulation has not been determined by DEP. The

2547term ÐextractionÑ is defined in rule 62C - 39.002(7) to exclude

2558excavation ÐsolelyÑ in aid of on - site construction, but that begs

2570the question whether DEP would view the Mass Grading Plan as

2581solely for on - site construction.

25873 4 . Second, rule 62C - 39 contains state reclamation

2598standards and implements chapter 378, Florida Statutes, entitled

2606ÐLand Reclamation.Ñ Under DEPÓs reclamation regulatory program,

2613there is no obvi ous state reclamation issue associated with sand

2624mining on lands approved for construction activities. That does

2633not foreclose a local interest in regulating the land use impacts

2644of mining activities.

2647The Exemption Procedure

26503 5 . Pursuant to s ection 6.06. 01(F) of the Lake County Code,

2664approval to remove overburden that exceeds 200 percent of the

2674volume required for stormwater retention must be obtained from the

2684County Manager. However, the County Manager did not approve Rubin

2694GrovesÓ Mass Grading Plan. I t was approved by the Board of County

2707Commissioners in Ordinance 2014 - 7.

27133 6 . Rubin Groves argues that it qualifies for an exemption

2725under Section 6.06.01(F), but the Board of County Commissioners

2734approved the Mass grading Plan without making any finding t hat

2745the Mass Grading Plan was not mining or that it qualified for

2757exemption from the requirement to obtain a mining conditional use

2767permit.

27683 7 . Lake CountyÓs approval of the M ass G rading P lan is

2783inconsistent with Section 6.06.01 of the Lake County Code.

2792T en Percent Lot Grading Limitation

279838 . The Mass Grading Plan would change the elevation of

2809the Property more than 10 feet.

281539 . Section 9.07.00 of the Lake County Code addresses lot

2826grading and prohibits elevation changes that exceed 10 feet. The

2836parties disputed whether this section applies to the Property.

2845DEO contends it applies; Rubin Groves disagrees.

28524 0 . Section 9.07.00 states that it applies to Ðdevelopment

2863that is wholly within or partially within any flood hazard area.Ñ

2874The Mass Grading Plan i s not within a flood hazard area.

28864 1 . The Lake County Engineer testified that the County does

2898not interpret Section 9.07.14 as applicable to subdivision

2906grading, but only to the grading of individual residential lots.

29164 2 . The preponderance of the evidenc e shows Section 9.07.00

2928is not applicable to the Mass Grading Plan.

2936Principles for Guiding Development

29404 3 . The Green Swamp is one of the most significant sources

2953for water recharge to the Floridan Aquifer. It is centered along

2964the potentiometric high fo r the aquifer as well. The

2974potentiometric high is the level to which water would rise in an

2986open well and affects ground water flow because water flows from

2997high - pressure areas to low - pressure areas.

30064 4 . The Principles for Guiding Development in the Gre en

3018Swamp Area of Critical State Concern adopted by the

3027Administration Commission are set forth in Florida Administrative

3035Code Rule 28 - 26.003. The Principles have also been adopted into

3047the Lake County Comp Plan.

30524 5 . Rule 28 - 26.003(1) sets forth the obje ctives to be

3066achieved for the Green Swamp:

3071(a) Minimize the adverse impacts of

3077development on resources of the Floridan

3083Aquifer, wetlands, and flood - detention areas.

3090(b) Protect the normal quantity, quality and

3097flow of ground water and surface water whic h

3106are necessary for the protection of resources

3113of state and regional concern.

3118(c) Protect the water available for aquifer

3125recharge.

3126(d) Protect the functions of the Green Swamp

3134Potentiometric High of the Floridan Aquifer.

3140(e) Protect the normal supp ly of ground and

3149surface water.

3151(f) Prevent further salt - water intrusion

3158into the Floridan Aquifer.

3162(g) Protect or improve existing ground and

3169surface - water quality.

3173(h) Protect the water - retention capabilities

3180of wetlands.

3182(i) Protect the biologic al - filtering

3189capabilities of wetlands.

3192(j) Protect the natural flow regime of

3199drainage basins.

3201(k) Protect the design capacity of flood -

3209detention areas and the water - management

3216objectives of these areas through the

3222maintenance of hydrologic characteris tics of

3228drainage basins.

32304 6 . DEO contends the Mass Grading Plan would violate the

3242Principles for Guiding Development for the Green Swamp Area of

3252Critical State Concern in rule 28 - 26.003(1)(a),(b), (c), (e),

3263(g), (j), and (k).

32674 7 . DEO objects to so much of the vadose zone being removed

3281from the Property. The vadose zone is the layer of material

3292between the land surface and the top of the water table. The

3304vadose zone acts as a filter to remove contaminants as water

3315moves through it. It stores water, cr eating a buffer for water

3327recharge into the aquifer below it and regulates the rate at

3338which water recharges. It also affects evapotranspiration and

3346runoff.

334748 . DEO contends the Mass Grading Plan would reduce storage

3358capacity and filtration, cause Ðsurge sÑ of groundwater which

3367would adversely affect the surrounding wetlands, reduce recharge

3375and change the potentiometric high, adversely affect the water

3384retention capabilities of wetlands, and alter the natural flow

3393regime of drainage basins.

339749 . The evide nce presented by DEO was insufficient to prove

3409that the storage capacity of the Property would be reduced by the

3421Mass Grading Plan. In a scenario where the water table is near

3433the ground surface, removal of soil can substantially reduce

3442water storage, but DEOÓs theory for loss of storage was not

3453persuasively demonstrated in this situation where the vadose zone

3462would still be about 24 feet deep after the Mass grading Plan.

34745 0 . DEOÓs evidence regarding the possibility of karst

3484features on the Property was n ot compelling because it was not

3496shown that the Mass Grading Plan would affect current water

3506movement associated with any karst features. The proper

3514placement of stormwater facilities to avoid karst features is a

3524matter for stormwater permitting.

35285 1 . The preponderance of the record evidence supports DEOÓs

3539claim that the filtration capacity of the Property would be

3549reduced by the Mass Grading Plan. However, DEO did not rebut

3560Rubin GrovesÓ evidence that nutrient loading to groundwater from

3569the Property wou ld decrease. DEO did not show that the reduction

3581of filtration capacity would result in a measurable adverse

3590impact to groundwater.

35935 2 . The evidence presented by DEO was insufficient to prove

3605that the Mass Grading Plan would cause ÐpulseÑ flow to the nea rby

3618wetlands. T he Mass Grading Plan does not involve soil removal

3629within four or five hundred feet of the wetlands. In a scenario

3641where the water table is near the ground surface, removal of soil

3653can affect water storage and the slow release of water to

3664wetlands, but DEOÓs theory for pulse flow was not persuasively

3674demonstrated in this situation where the vadose zone would still

3684be about 24 feet deep after the Mass Grading Plan.

36945 3 . The evidence presented by DEO was insufficient to prove

3706that the Mass Gr ading Plan w ould reduce recharge to the Floridan

3719Aquifer.

37205 4 . In summary, DEO did not prove that the Mass Grading

3733Plan would have a measurable or more than de minimis adverse

3744impact on the Floridan Aquifer and associated water resources

3753which the Principl es for Guiding Development are intended to

3763protect.

3764CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

37675 5 . Ordinance No. 2014 - 7 authorizes development as defined

3779in section 380.04, Florida Statutes (2014), and is a Ðdevelopment

3789orderÑ as that term is defined in section 380.031(3).

37985 6 . DEO is authorized to appeal local government

3808development orders located within Areas of Critical State Concern

3817to the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission, pursuant

3826to section 380.07.

38295 7 . Hearings under section 380.07 are de novo hearings.

3840See Young v. Dep Ó t of Cmty Aff . , 625 So. 2d 831 (Fla. 1993).

385658 . DEO, as the challenger of Ordinance 2014 - 07, has the

3869burden of proof.

387259 . The standard of proof to establish a finding of fact is

3885preponderance of the evidence. § 120.57(1)(j), Fla. Stat.

3893(2 014).

38956 0 . Section 380.05(16) prohibits development within any

3904Area of Critical State Concern except in accordance with Ðthis

3914chapter.Ñ Accordingly, development in the Green Swamp Area of

3923Critical State Concern must be consistent with the Lake County

3933Com prehensive Plan, the Lake County land development regulations,

3942and the Principles for Guiding Development for the Green Swamp

3952Area of Critical State Concern.

39576 1 . Rubin Groves argues that DEOÓs objections to the Mass

3969Grading Plan are premature because Rubi n Groves has yet to seek an

3982exemption from the County Manager pursuant to s ection 6.06.01(F).

3992However, Ordinance 2014 - 7 expressly approves the Mass Grading

4002Plan, so it is ripe for review in this proceeding.

40126 2 . The Mass Grading Plan would constitute min ing

4023activities as defined in the Comp Plan and consistent with the

4034ordinary meaning of mining .

40396 3 . Sand mining is prohibited in the Green Swamp Ridge

4051future land use category. Therefore, Ordinance 2014 - 7, by

4061authorizing mining in the Green Swamp Ridge, i s inconsistent with

4072the Comp Plan.

407564 . The evidence presented in this case suggests that a

4086blanket prohibition against sand mining in the Green Swamp Ridge

4096may not be appropriate because sand mining will not always cause

4107adverse impacts to the water resou rces of the Green Swamp Area of

4120Critical State Concern. However, until the Comp Plan is amended,

4130all sand mining is prohibited.

413565 . The procedure in section 6.06.01(F) of the Lake County

4146Code for approving the removal of overburden in excess of the 200

4158percent criterion was not followed. The Board of County

4167Commissioners approved the Mass Grading Plan without making

4175findings necessary for the exemption from the requirement to

4184obtain a mining conditional use permit. Even under Rubin GrovesÓ

4194argument tha t the Mass Grading Plan is not mining, Ordinance

42052014 - 7 is inconsistent with s ection 6.06.01(F).

42146 6 . All development orders issued within the Green Swamp

4225Area of Critical State Concern must be consistent with each of

4236the Principles for Guiding Development . DEO did not meet its

4247burden to prove the Mass Grading Plan would have a measurable or

4259more than de minimus adverse impact on the Floridan Aquifer and

4270associated resources. The Mass Grading Plan was not shown to be

4281inconsistent with the Principles for G uiding Development.

4289RECOMMENDATION

4290Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of

4300Law, it is

4303RECOMMENDED that the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory

4311Commission issue a final order determining that Ordinance 2014 - 7

4322is invalid because it is in consistent with the Lake County

4333Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations.

4339DONE AND ENTERED this 21st day of August , 2015 , in

4349Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

4353S

4354BRAM D. E. CANTER

4358Administrative Law Judge

4361Divi sion of Administrative Hearings

4366The DeSoto Building

43691230 Apalachee Parkway

4372Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 3060

4377(850) 488 - 9675

4381Fax Filing (850) 921 - 6847

4387www.doah.state.fl.us

4388Filed with the Clerk of the

4394Division of Administrative Hearings

4398this 21st day of Augu st , 2015 .

4406COPIES FURNISHED:

4408Jimmy D. Crawford, Esquire

4412Merideth Nagel, P.A.

44151201 West Highway 50

4419Clermont, Florida 34711

4422(eServed)

4423Sanford A. Minkoff, Esquire

4427Lake County Attorney`s Office

4431315 West Main Street, Suite 335

4437Post Office Box 7800

4441Tavares, Florida 32778 - 7800

4446Keith Austin, Esquire

4449Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC

4454223 Peruvian Avenue

4457Palm Beach, Florida 33480

4461Barbara R. Leighty, Agency Clerk

4466Transportation and Economic

4469Development Policy Unit

4472Room 1801 , The Capitol

4476Tallahassee, Florida 323 99 - 0001

4482(eServed)

4483Aaron Charles Dunlap, Esquire

4487Department of Economic Opportunity

4491Caldwell Building, MSC110

4494107 East Madison Street

4498Tallahassee, Florida 32399

4501(eServed)

4502Erin Hartigan, Esquire

4505Office of the Lake County Attorney

4511315 West Main Street

4515Tava res, Florida 32778

4519(eServed)

4520Harry Thomas Hackney, Esquire

4524Campione & Hackney, P.A.

45282750 Dora Avenue

4531Tavares, Florida 32778

4534(eServed)

4535Cynthia Kelly, Secretary

4538Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission

4544Room 1801, The Capitol

4548Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0001

4553John P. ÐJackÑ Heekin, General Counsel

4559Office of the Governor

4563Room 209, The Capitol

4567Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0001

4572(eServed)

4573James W. Poppell, General Counsel

4578Department of Economic Opportunity

4582107 East Madison Street

4586Caldwell Building, MSC1 10

4590Tallahassee, Florida 32399

4593(eServed)

4594NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS

4600All parties have the right to submit written exceptions within

461015 days from the date of this Recommended Order. Any exceptions

4621to this Recommended Order should be filed with the agency that

4632will issue the Final Order in this case.

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PDF
Date
Proceedings
PDF:
Date: 08/25/2020
Proceedings: Agency Final Order
PDF:
Date: 08/25/2020
Proceedings: Agency Final Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 08/28/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Prohibited Parties filed.
PDF:
Date: 08/21/2015
Proceedings: Recommended Order
PDF:
Date: 08/21/2015
Proceedings: Recommended Order (hearing held May 20 and 21, 2015). CASE CLOSED.
PDF:
Date: 08/21/2015
Proceedings: Order.
PDF:
Date: 08/21/2015
Proceedings: Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
PDF:
Date: 07/10/2015
Proceedings: DEO's Proposed Recommended Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 07/10/2015
Proceedings: Department of Economic Opportunity's Notice of Filing Proposed Recommended Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 07/10/2015
Proceedings: Respondents, Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC, and Lake County, Florida's Joint Proposed Recommended Order filed.
Date: 05/20/2015
Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
PDF:
Date: 05/19/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Filing Second Amended Exhibit "A" to Joint Prehearing Stipulation filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/19/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC's Second Amended Witness List filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/15/2015
Proceedings: Order (denying motion for continuance).
PDF:
Date: 05/15/2015
Proceedings: Return of Service of Process (Rick Hartenstein) filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/15/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Appearance (Harry Hackney) filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/14/2015
Proceedings: Petitioner Department of Economic Opportunity's Response in Opposition to Rubin Groves' Emergency Motion for Continuance filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/14/2015
Proceedings: (Respondent's) Emergency Motion for Continuance filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/14/2015
Proceedings: (Respondent's) Notice of Filing Amended Exhibit "A" to Joint Prehearing Stipulation filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/14/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC's Amended (Proposed) Exhibit List filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/11/2015
Proceedings: Joint Prehearing Stipulation (with Exhibits) filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/11/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (Dr. Harvey Harper) filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/11/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (Mr. Fred Schneider) filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/11/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC's Amended Witness List filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/07/2015
Proceedings: Amended Notice of Taking Deposition (of Dr. Sam Upchurch) filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/07/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (of Dr. Sam Upchurch) filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/07/2015
Proceedings: Petitioner's Notice of Serving Answers to Lake County's First Set of Interrogatories filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/07/2015
Proceedings: Petitioner Department of Economic Opportunity's First Request for Production to Respondent Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC. filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/07/2015
Proceedings: Petitioner's Response to Lake County, Florida's First Request for Admissions filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/05/2015
Proceedings: Subpoena Return of Service - Greenhalgh filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/05/2015
Proceedings: Amended Notice of Taking Deposition (of Stuart Norton) filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/05/2015
Proceedings: Amended Notice of Hearing (hearing set for May 20 through 22, 2015; 9:00 a.m.; Tavares, FL; amended as to hearing room).
PDF:
Date: 05/04/2015
Proceedings: Re-Notice of Taking Deposition (Mr. Sheldon Rubin) filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/04/2015
Proceedings: Amended Joint Response to Initial Order (as to Specific Location Only) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/29/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (of Dr. Stuart Norton) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/29/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (of Rebecca Jetton) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/29/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (of Tom Greenhalgh) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/29/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (of Dr. Jonathan Arthur) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/29/2015
Proceedings: Subpoena for Deposition (Tom Greenhalgh) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/23/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Lake County's Witness Disclosures filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/23/2015
Proceedings: Petitioner Department of Economic Opportunity's Witness Disclosures filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/21/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC's Witness List filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/21/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Cancellation of Deposition of Mr. Sheldon Rubin filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/17/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Rub Groves of Clermont, LLCs Notice of Serving Responses to Petitioners Request to Produce filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/17/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Change of Firm Address filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/16/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (William Ray) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/16/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (Ted Wicks) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/16/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (Sheldon Rubin) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/16/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (Rick Hartenstein) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/16/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition (Nicolas Andreyev) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/07/2015
Proceedings: Lake County, Floridas First Set of Interrogatories to Petitioner Florida Department of Economic Opportunity filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/07/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Lake County, Floridas Notice of Serving First Set of Interrogatories to Petitioner, Department of Economic Opportunity filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/07/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Lake County's First Request for Production to Petitioner Florida Department of Economic Opportunity filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/07/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Lake County, Florida's First Request for Admissions to Petitioner Department of Economic Opportunity filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/07/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Appearance (Erin Hartigan) filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/03/2015
Proceedings: Lake County's Response to Petitioner's First Request for Admissions filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/03/2015
Proceedings: Lake County's Response to Petitioner's First Request for Production filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/03/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Filing Lake County, Florida's Response to Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/23/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC's Notice of Serving Responses to Petitioners' First Set of Interrogatories filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/04/2015
Proceedings: Petitioner, Department of Economic Opportunity's First Request for Production to Respondent Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/04/2015
Proceedings: Petitioner, Department of Economic Opportunity's Notice of Serving First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent, Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/04/2015
Proceedings: Petitioner, Department of Economic Opportunity's First Request for Admissions to Respondent Lake County, Florida filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/04/2015
Proceedings: Petitioner, Department of Economic Opportunity's First Request for Production to Respondent Lake County, Florida filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/04/2015
Proceedings: Petitioner, Department of Economic Opportunity's Notice of Serving First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent Lake County, Florida filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/03/2015
Proceedings: Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
PDF:
Date: 03/03/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Hearing (hearing set for May 20 through 22, 2015; 9:00 a.m.; Tavares, FL).
PDF:
Date: 02/19/2015
Proceedings: Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/19/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Appearance (Aaron Dunlap) filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/12/2015
Proceedings: Initial Order.
PDF:
Date: 02/11/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Forwarding Appeal filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/11/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Lake County, Florida's Answer to Petition for Appeal of Lake County Ordinance No. 2014-7, a Development Order Issued in and Area of Critical State Concern filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/11/2015
Proceedings: Respondent Rubin Groves of Clermont, LLC's Answer to Petition for Appeal of Lake County Ordinance No. 2014-7, a Development Order Issued in an Area of Critical State Concern filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/11/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Termination of Abeyance and Forwarding to Division of Administrative Hearings filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/11/2015
Proceedings: Notice of Appeal filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/11/2015
Proceedings: Petition for Appeal of Lake County Ordinance No. 2014-7, a Development Order Issued in an Area of Critical State Concern filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/11/2015
Proceedings: Agency referral filed.

Case Information

Judge:
BRAM D. E. CANTER
Date Filed:
02/11/2015
Date Assignment:
02/12/2015
Last Docket Entry:
08/25/2020
Location:
Tavares, Florida
District:
Northern
Agency:
Other
Suffix:
DRI
 

Counsels

Related DOAH Cases(s) (1):

Related Florida Statute(s) (7):

Related Florida Rule(s) (1):