Department of Economic Opportunity, Division of Community Development

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    DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
    Division of Community Development

    FINAL ORDER NO. DEO-13-024

    STATE OF FLORIDA

    DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

    In re:A LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATION

    ADOPTED BY MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,

    ORDINANCE NO. 005-2013

    _______________________________________________

    FINAL ORDER

    APPROVING MONROE COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 005-2013

    The Department of Economic Opportunity (“Department”) hereby issues its Final Order, pursuant to §§ 380.05(6) and 380.0552(9), Fla. Stat. (2012), approving land development regulations adopted by Monroe County, Florida, Ordinance No. 005-2013 (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 January 16, 2013, and rendered to the Department on February 11, 2013.

    3. The Ordinance amends Monroe County Code Chapter 102, Administration, Article III, Nonconformities, Sections 102.54 through 102.60, as follows:

    a. to allow nonconforming water-dependent and water-related commercial uses and structures which are identified as a source of economic sustainability within a Livable CommuniKeys Plan to be rebuilt even if 100 percent destroyed, if they are rebuilt to preexisting use, building footprint and configuration without an increase in density or intensity of use, and if they are registered with the County;

    b. to update the regulations related to the registration of nonconforming uses and structures to allow the Planning & Environmental Resources Department to maintain a registry of lawful nonconforming uses and structures;

    c. to prohibit the continuation of vacation rental uses in districts that prohibit such uses, unless the use was established and appropriate state and local licenses and permits were obtained prior to September 15, 1986;

    d. to limit nonconforming RV uses to no more than 6 months;

    e. to provide that the nonconforming use of a site to store lobster traps that is abandoned or discontinued for one year may not be reestablished or resumed, and any subsequent use must conform to the provisions of the comprehensive plan and land development regulations;

    f. to limit improvements to nonconforming uses to less than 50% of the value of the structure; and

    g. to prohibit enlargement of nonconforming uses by additions to the structure or occupancy of additional lands.

    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.

    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 Principle in § 380.0552(7), Fla. Stat.:

    (a) Strengthening local government capabilities for managing land use and development so that local government is able to achieve these objectives without the continuation of the area of critical state concern designation.

    (d) Ensuring the maximum well-being of the Florida Keys and its citizens through sound economic development.

    (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 the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan and furthers the following: Future Land Use Element Policy 101.8.4 and the Key Largo Livable CommuniKeys Plan.

    WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that Monroe County Ordinance No. 005-2013 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/_________________________________

    William B. Killingsworth, 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 ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY A WRITTEN PLEADING ENTITLED, "PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS" WITHIN 21 CALENDAR DAYS OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. A PETITION IS FILED WHEN IT IS RECEIVED BY:

    AGENCY CLERK

    DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

    OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

    107 EAST MADISON STREET, MSC 110

    TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-4128

    Fax Number 850-921-3230

    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 methods indicated this 28th day of March, 2013.

    __/s/_______________________________

    Miriam Snipes, Agency Clerk

    Department of Economic Opportunity

    107 East Madison Street, MSC 110

    Tallahassee, FL 32399-4128

    Telephone: 850-717-8531

     

    By U.S. Mail:

    The Honorable George Neugent

    Mayor, Monroe County

    500 Whitehead Street

    Key West, FL 33040

     

    Amy Heavilin

    Clerk to the 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 33050

     

    By Hand Delivery or Interagency Mail:

    Rebecca Jetton, ACSC Administrator, DEO Tallahassee

    Sherry A. Spiers, Assistant General Counsel, DEO Tallahassee

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