DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Division of Community DevelopmentFinal Order No.: DEO-12-038
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
In re:POLK COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY
POLK COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 12-009
_______________________________________________/
FINAL ORDER
The Department of Economic Opportunity (the “Department”) hereby issues its Final Order, pursuant to Sections 380.05(6) and (11), Florida Statutes, (2011), approving Polk County Ordinance No. 12-009 (the “Ordinance”).
FINDINGS OF FACT
1.The Green Swamp Area is designated by section 380.0551, Florida Statutes (2011), and Chapter 28-26, Florida Administrative Code, as an area of critical state concern. Polk County is a local government within the Green Swamp Area.
2.The Ordinance was adopted by Polk County on March 7, 2012. The Department received the Ordinance for review on March 12, 2012.
3.The Ordinance amends Section 960 of the Land Development Code “Public Notice,” to ensure that procedures are consistent with Florida Statutes, to clarify the notice requirements for various types of public hearings, and to allow time for planning staff to correct notice errors without inconveniencing applicants and the public.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
4.The Department is required to approve or reject land development regulations that are enacted, amended or rescinded by any local government in the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern. Sections 380.05(6) and (11), Florida Statutes (2011).
5.“Land development regulations” include local zoning, subdivision, building and other regulations controlling the development of land. Section 380.031(8), Florida Statutes (2011). 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 All land development regulations enacted, amended or rescinded within an area of critical state concern must be consistent with the principles for guiding development for that area. Section 380.05(6), Florida Statutes (2012). The Principles for Guiding Development in the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern are set forth in Rule 28-26.003, Florida Administrative Code (“Principles”).
7.The Ordinance is consistent with the Principles for Guiding Development as a whole and is not inconsistent with any Principle.
8.The Ordinance is consistent with the Polk County Comprehensive Plan as a whole.
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that Polk County Ordinance No. 12-009 is found to be consistent with the Principles for Guiding Development of the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern, and is hereby APPROVED.
This Order becomes effective 21 days after publication in the Florida Administrative Weekly unless a petition is filed as described below.
DONE AND ORDERED in Tallahassee, Florida.
__/s/____________________________
J. Thomas Beck, AICP
Director, Division of Community Planning
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, TO CONDUCT CROSS-EXAMINATION AND SUBMIT REBUTTAL EVIDENCE, TO SUBMIT PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND ORDERS, AND TO 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 THE AGENCY CLERK, IN THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL, 107 EAST MADISON STREET. MSC 110, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-4128.
THE PETITION MUST MEET THE FILING REQUIREMENTS IN SUBSECTION 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 SUBSECTION 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 10th day of April, 2012.
__/s/__________________________
Miriam Snipes, Agency Clerk
Department of Economic Opportunity
107 East Madison Street, MSC 110
Tallahassee, FL 32399-4128
By U.S. Mail:
Michael F. Craig, Esq.
Polk County Attorney
Drawer AT01
P. O. Box 9005
Bartow, FL 33831
Richard M. Weiss, Clerk
Board of County Commissioners
P. O. Box 988
Bartow, FL 33831
Thomas Deardorff, Director
Growth Management Department
P. O. Box 9005, Drawer GM03
Bartow, FL 33831
