Department of Community Affairs, Office of Community Services  


  • DCA Final Order No.: DCA06-OR-147

    STATE OF FLORIDA

    DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

     

    In re:       CITY OF MARATHON LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

                   ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE NO. 2006-05

                   _________________________________________________

    FINAL ORDER

    The Department of Community Affairs (the “Department”) hereby issues its Final Order, pursuant to           § 380.05(6), Fla. Stat., and § 380.0552(9), Fla. Stat. (2005), partially approving and partially rejecting a land development regulation adopted by a local government within the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern as set forth below.

    FINDINGS OF FACT

    1.     The Florida Keys Area is a statutorily designated area of critical state concern, and the City of Marathon is a local government within the Florida Keys Area.

    2.     On April 26, 2006, the Department received for review City of Marathon Ordinance No. 2006-05 (“Ord. 2006-05”).

    3.     The Final Order for this Ordinance must be signed by June 23, 2006.

    4.     The purpose of Ord. 2006-05 is to amend the Residential Rate of Growth regulations set forth at Sections 9.5-124, 9.5-125, and 9.5-127. The Ordinance amends the residential building permit allocation to facilitate and encourage affordable/workforce housing and middle-income housing in the City of Marathon by allowing one-half of a ROGO allocation for a smaller unit. The Ordinance provides that any unused market rate unit allocations will annually be converted to affordable housing unit allocations if not utilized during the ROGO (Rate of Growth Ordinance) year. Each year, twenty percent (6 units) of the thirty units issued by the City are held for affordable housing. The Ordinance deletes a section that previously assigned the affordable housing set aside to the Monroe County Land Authority. A land trust has been established and the City has the option to provide the units to individuals or to select from any non-profit that wishes to assist in providing housing. The Ordinance extends the time length of the deed restriction for an affordable housing unit from twenty years to fifty years. The Ordinance allows for fractional ROGO allocations (50 percent) for units that are less than 750 square feet in size. Units that are greater than 750 square feet will require a full allocation and the construction size will be limited to 1500 square feet of conditioned space.

    5.     The Ordinance implements Policy 2-1.1.7 of the Marathon plan. Section 9.5-125(c)(3) is inconsistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Policy 1-3.2.7, Table 1-1, Future Land Use Densities and Intensities. The table describes development in terms of dwelling units per acre. The comprehensive plan does not address half allocations and no basis has been provided for half of an allocation. No data or analysis has been provided that addresses how the use of half an allocation will influence hurricane evacuation.

    CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

    6.     The Department is required to approve or reject land development regulations that are enacted, amended or rescinded by any local government in the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern. § 380.05(6), Fla. Stat., and § 380.0552(9), Fla. Stat. (2005).

    7.     The City of Marathon is a local government within the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern. § 380.0552, Fla. Stat. (2005) and Rule 28-29.002 (superseding Chapter 27F-8), Fla. Admin. Code.

    8.     “Land development regulations” include local zoning, subdivision, building, and other regulations controlling the development of land. § 380.031(8), Fla. Stat. (2005). The regulations adopted by Ord. 2006-05 are land development regulations.

    9.     All land development regulations enacted, amended, or rescinded within an area of critical state concern must be consistent with the Principles for Guiding Development (the “Principles”) as set forth in § 380.0552(7), Fla. Stat. See Rathkamp v. Department of Community Affairs, 21 F.A.L.R. 1902 (Dec. 4, 1998), aff’d, 740 So. 2d 1209 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999). The Principles are construed as a whole and no specific provision is construed or applied in isolation from the other provisions.

    10.   Ord. 2006-05 promotes and furthers the following Principles:

            (a) To strengthen 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.

            (j) To make available adequate affordable housing for all sectors of the population of the Florida Keys.

    11.   Ord. 2006-05, Section 9.5-125(c)(3), is inconsistent with Principles:

            (k) To provide adequate alternatives for the protection of public safety and welfare in the event of a natural disaster or manmade disaster and for a post disaster reconstruction plan.

            (l) To protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Florida Keys and maintain the Florida Keys as a unique Florida Resource.

    12.   Section 9.5-125(c)(3) of Ord. 2006-05 is inconsistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Policy 1-3.2.7, Table 1-1, Future Land Use Densities and Intensities.

    13.   With the exception of Section 9.5-125(c)(3), Ord. 2006-05 is not inconsistent with the remaining Principles and is consistent with the Principles for Guiding Development as a whole.

    WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that, with the exception of Section 9.5-125(c)(3), Ord. 2006-05 is found to be consistent with the Principles for Guiding Development of the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern, and is hereby APPROVED. Section 9.5-125(c)(3) is found to be inconsistent with the Principles for Guiding Development of the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern, and is hereby REJECTED.

    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.

    _______________________________

    Tracy D. Suber

    State Planning Administrator

    Division of Community Planning

    Department of Community Affairs

    2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard

    Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100

    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 COMMUNITY AFFAIRS 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, 2555 SHUMARD OAK BOULEVARD, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-2100.

    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 27th day of June, 2006.

    ____________________________

    Paula Ford, Agency Clerk

    By U.S. Mail:

    Honorable John Bartus, Mayor

    City of Marathon

    10054-55 Overseas Highway

    Marathon, Florida 33050

     

    Cindy Ecklund, City Clerk

    City of Marathon

    10045-55 Overseas Highway

    Marathon, Florida 33050

     

    Mike Puto

    Acting City Manager

    City of Marathon

    10054-55 Overseas Highway

    Marathon, Florida 33050

     

    John Herin, Esq.

    Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler

    Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.

    Suite 2200 Museum Tower

    150 West Flagler Street

    Miami, Florida 33130

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