Planning and Zoning

MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 4,2024,6:30 P.M.

The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board of the City of Oakland Park, Florida was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Doren.

ROLL CALL

Present: Chair Jack Doren Member Patrick Gross Member Coby King Member Scott Rivelli

Also Present: Lia Castro, Recording Secretary Craig Southern, Planning & Zoning Supervisor Sean Swartz, City Attorney Representative

Absent:

Member Wallis Peterson

Board members recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENTATIONS

None.

Board Member Rivelli moved to approve the minutes of October 7,2024. Member Gross seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

2 Public Comments

YES: Board Member Gross, Board Member King, Board Member Rivelli and Chair Doren.

None.

* * *

ITEMS TO CONSIDER

3. Case #CD24-28T \| Text Amendment to amend Chapter 24 Section 24-55. PCC: Planned Commerce Center District. A public hearing to consider amending the Code of Ordinances Chapter 24 Land Development Code to specifically amend Section 24-55 PCC Planned Commerce Center District to provide for residential density limitations.

Mr. Craig Southern stated the Text Amendment is to eliminate any ambiguity associated with the Planned Commerce Center District in Section 24-55(B)(2)(b) as well as Section (C) of the Ordinance. Mr. Southern indicated the PCC-1, PCC-2 & PCC-3 zoning districts fell under a Future Land Use Map designation of Commercial, and the current Comprehensive Plan does not specify density within the commercial FLUM, so this Amendment will provide clarity on 35 dwelling units per gross acre for PCC-1 and PCC-2.

Mr. Southern added an updated Comprehensive Plan is being finalized and approved by the Florida Department of Commerce and has multiple policies that recommend development on transient-oriented corridors. He reminded the Board a preliminary plat had come before the Board recently for Cypress Creek; this project would be affected by the amendment as it would clarify the number of allowed dwelling units per gross acre in that zoning district.

Mr. Southern stated the City Attorney has been in communication with the applicant; their lawyers were present and have been working with the Director of Engineering and Community Development. He added this would affect all the planned commerce center zoning districts within the City.

Ms. Nectaria Chakas was present on behalf of Cypress Creek Partners, the applicant. She stated she had appeared before the Board in April for a preliminary plat in the PCC-2 district. Ms. Chakas provided additional background information and stated they are in full support of this amendment to address the ambiguity in the PCC-2 zoning district so the project can move forward with density.

Board Member Gross stated while he is in favor of this project, he was concerned about changing the zoning for PCC districts across the board could set a precedent and increase density in other areas of the City. Mr. Southern responded by stating they could look at them specifically, reminded the Board the Live Local Act encourages affordable housing which could allow up to 65 units per acre and highlighted the fact that the Cypress Creek project is the only site zoned PCC-2 that is currently vacant in the city.

* * *

Discussion ensued on affordable housing and densities for other zoning districts. Mr. Southern reiterated sub-sections (B)(2)(b) and (C)(3) of the Code would be changed by removing the future land use map designation component; the word 'density' will be indicated, giving the straight 35 gross dwelling units per acre; also, the office of the City Attorney, Ms. Chakas, and the Director of Engineering and Community Development had reviewed the matter.

Mr. Southern added he was part of the initial discussions; they had considered the Mixed-Use Overlay to be at 35 dwelling units per acre, and they are looking for more density among transit-oriented properties. Ms. Chakas stated this only applies to a handful of properties.

Additional discussion ensued on alternative options. Mr. Southern stated PCC is a Mixed-Use district and unfortunately, we are currently amending the Comprehensive Plan to omit the Mixed- Use future land use designation so they have to have a Commercial underlying future land use designation; Commercial would be a requirement now for Mixed Use or Commercial zoning districts outside the Local Activity Center (LAC).

Board Member King highlighted the fact that since he had been on the Board, only one project entertained affordable housing. Mr. Southern stated the Live Local Act was to help incentivize affordable housing throughout the State, and the new Comprehensive Plan includes an affordable housing element which is still being worked on. Mr. Southern added creating incentives is one of the important things they could accomplish with text amendments, specifically in zoning districts.

Mr. Southern provided examples and requirements that could be included in the land development codes. Ms. Chakas clarified municipalities can only incentivize affordable housing; developers cannot be required to provide affordable housing without incentives or mechanisms to offset the cost of the units per Florida Law. She clarified their project is too far along to consider that, as they are ready to come before the Board with a site plan.

Mr. Southern indicated that staff would review the Code to see incentives to developers for affordable housing. It was deterwould discuss the subject further under Other Business.

If there is an opportunity to provide ined by consensus that the Board

YES: Board Member Gross, Board Member Rivelli, Board Member King, and Chair Doren.

Board Member Rivelli moved to approve a recommendation to the City Commission in support of amending the Code of Ordinances Chapter 24 Land Development Code to specifically amend Section 24-55 PCC Planned Commerce Center District to provide for residential density limited to 35 units per gross acre. Board Member Gross seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board determined the subject affordable housing would be added to the December or January agenda; Mr. Southern and staff will prepare a memo with recommended incentives or Code amendments after evaluating what incentives are already in place in surrounding communities for review and discussion.

ADJOURNMENT

ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at: 7:10 p.m.

CITY OF OAKLAND PARK, FLORIDA

JACK DOREN, CHAIR

ATTEST:

LIA CASTRO, BOARD SECRETARY