DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Division of Community DevelopmentFinal Order No. DEO-12-150
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
In re:A LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATION
ADOPTED BY MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ORDINANCE NO. 027-2012
_______________________________________________
FINAL ORDER
The Department of Economic Opportunity (“Department”) hereby issues its Final Order, pursuant to §§ 380.05(6) and 380.0552(9), Fla. Stat., approving land development regulations adopted by Monroe County, Florida, Ordinance No. 027-2012 (the “Ordinance”).
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. The Florida Keys Area is designated by § 380.0552, Fla. Stat., as an area of critical state concern. Monroe County is a local government within the Florida Keys Area.
2. The Ordinance was adopted by Monroe County on September 21, 2012, and rendered to the Department on October 16, 2012.
3. The Ordinance amends Section 118-9 of the Monroe County Code, “Clearing Allowances,” to address clearing of upland native vegetation to be consistent with the Monroe County 2010 Comprehensive Plan. The Ordinance limits the amount of clearing allowed on lots or parcels in Tier I, Tier II, Tier III and Tier III-A Special Protection Area; provides an exception to the 7,500 clearing limitation for a driveway on lots designated Tier III and Tier III-A Special Protection Area that exceed 30,000 square feet, except for parcels on Big Pine Key and No Name Key; and requires approval of the clearing by a County biologist and the Planning Director. Clearing remains limited to a maximum of 7,500 square feet (except for certain driveways in Tiers III and III-A described above), must minimize fragmentation and avoid specimen trees, and driveway design must take the shortest reasonable route.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
4. The Department is required to approve or reject land development regulations that are adopted by any local government in an area of critical state concern. §§ 380.05(6) and (11) and § 380.0552(9), Fla. Stat. Monroe County is a local government in the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern.
5. “Land development regulations” include local zoning, subdivision, building, and other regulations controlling the development of land. § 380.031(8), Fla. Stat. The regulations adopted by the Ordinance are land development regulations.
6. All land development regulations enacted, amended, or rescinded within an area of critical state concern must be consistent with the principles for guiding development for that area. §§ 380.05(6) and 380.0552(9), Fla. Stat. The Principles for Guiding Development for the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern are set forth in § 380.0552(7), Fla. Stat.
7. The Ordinance is consistent with the Principles for Guiding Development as a whole, and specifically furthers the following Principles:
(a) Strengthening local government capabilities for managing land use and development so that local government is able to achieve these objectives without continuing the aea of critical state concern designation.
(f) Enhancing natural scenic resources, promoting the aesthetic benefits of the natural environment, and ensuring that development is compatible with the unique historic character of the Florida Keys.
8. The Ordinance is consistent with Policy 101.4.22 of the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan as amended by adoption of the County’s 12-2ACSC comprehensive plan amendment package.
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that Monroe County Ordinance No. 027-2012 is found to be consistent with the Principles for Guiding Development of the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern and is hereby APPROVED.
This Order becomes effective 21 days after publication in the Florida Administrative Register unless a petition is timely filed as described in the Notice of Administrative Rights below.
DONE AND ORDERED in Tallahassee, Florida.
____/s/_______________________________
J. THOMAS BECK, AICP
Director, Division of Community Development
Department of Economic Opportunity
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE RIGHTS
ANY PERSON WHOSE SUBSTANTIAL INTERESTS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS ORDER HAS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO SECTION 120.569, FLORIDA STATUTES, REGARDING THE AGENCY’S ACTION. DEPENDING UPON WHETHER YOU ALLEGE ANY DISPUTED ISSUE OF MATERIAL FACT IN YOUR PETITION REQUESTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO EITHER AN INFORMAL PROCEEDING OR A FORMAL HEARING.
IF YOUR PETITION FOR HEARING DOES NOT ALLEGE ANY DISPUTED ISSUE OF MATERIAL FACT CONTAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTION, THEN THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING WILL BE AN INFORMAL ONE, CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 120.569 AND 120.57(2) FLORIDA STATUTES, AND CHAPTER 28-106, PARTS I AND III, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. IN AN INFORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING, YOU MAY BE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL OR BY A QUALIFIED REPRESENTATIVE, AND YOU MAY PRESENT WRITTEN OR ORAL EVIDENCE IN OPPOSITION TO THE DEPARTMENT'S ACTION OR REFUSAL TO ACT; OR YOU MAY EXERCISE THE OPTION TO PRESENT A WRITTEN STATEMENT CHALLENGING THE GROUNDS UPON WHICH THE DEPARTMENT HAS CHOSEN TO JUSTIFY ITS ACTION OR INACTION.
IF YOU DISPUTE ANY ISSUE OF MATERIAL FACT STATED IN THE AGENCY ACTION, THEN YOU MAY FILE A PETITION REQUESTING A FORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING BEFORE AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE OF THE DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS, PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 120.569 AND 120.57(1), FLORIDA STATUTES, AND CHAPTER 28-106, PARTS I AND II, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. AT A FORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING, YOU MAY BE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL OR OTHER QUALIFIED REPRESENTATIVE, AND YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT EVIDENCE AND ARGUMENT ON ALL THE ISSUES INVOLVED, CONDUCT CROSS-EXAMINATION AND SUBMIT REBUTTAL EVIDENCE, SUBMIT PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND ORDERS, AND FILE EXCEPTIONS TO ANY RECOMMENDED ORDER.
IF YOU DESIRE EITHER AN INFORMAL PROCEEDING OR A FORMAL HEARING, YOU MUST FILE WITH THE AGENCY CLERK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS A WRITTEN PLEADING ENTITLED, "PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS" WITHIN 21 CALENDAR DAYS OF PUBLICATION OF THIS FINAL ORDER. A PETITION IS FILED WHEN IT IS RECEIVED BY:
AGENCY CLERK
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
107 EAST MADISON STREET, MSC 110
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-4128
THE PETITION MUST MEET THE FILING REQUIREMENTS IN RULE 28-106.104(2), FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. IF AN INFORMAL PROCEEDING IS REQUESTED, THEN THE PETITION SHALL BE SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 28-106.301, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. IF A FORMAL HEARING IS REQUESTED, THEN THE PETITION SHALL BE SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 28-106.201(2), FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
A PERSON WHO HAS FILED A PETITION MAY REQUEST MEDIATION. A REQUEST FOR MEDIATION MUST INCLUDE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY RULE 28-106.402, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. CHOOSING MEDIATION DOES NOT AFFECT THE RIGHT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING.
YOU WAIVE THE RIGHT TO AN INFORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING OR A FORMAL HEARING IF YOU DO NOT FILE A PETITION WITH THE AGENCY CLERK WITHIN 21 DAYS OF PUBLICATION OF THIS FINAL ORDER.
CERTIFICATE OF FILING AND SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the original of the foregoing Final Order has been filed with the undersigned designated Agency Clerk, and that true and correct copies have been furnished to the persons listed below by the method indicated this 13th day of December, 2012.
_/s/__________________________________
Miriam Snipes, Agency Clerk
Department of Economic Opportunity
107 East Madison Street, MSC 110
Tallahassee, FL 32399-4128
By U.S. Mail:
The Honorable George Neugent
Mayor, Monroe County
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
Amy Heavilin, Clerk Ad Interim
Monroe Co. Board of County Commissioners
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
Christine Hurley, Director
Monroe County Growth Management Division
2798 Overseas Highway, Suite 400
Marathon, FL 33050By Hand Delivery or Interagency Mail:
Rebecca Jetton, ACSC Administrator, DEO Tallahassee
Sherry A. Spiers, Assistant General Counsel, DEO Tallahassee
