Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Making Findings And Designating As A Brownfield Area Real Property Located At 309 And 421 N. 21st Avenue And 2031 Polk Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020, To Be Known As University Station Green Reuse Area, For The Purpose Of Rehabilitation, Job Creation And Promoting Economic Redevelopment; Authorizing The City Of Hollywood To Notify The Florida Department Of Environmental Protection Of The Designation. (21-DP-43a)
Strategic Plan Focus
Economic Vitality
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Resolution.
Explanation:
October 18, 2023 City Commission Update:
On October 4, 2023 the City Commission unanimously adopted Resolution No. R-2023-314 designating the property associated with the University Station project a Green Resue Area, also known as a brownfield. The state’s designation process requires two readings, as such another resolution is required to be adopted by the City to complete the process.
There are no geographic or other changes to this item, beyond recognizing the previously adopted resolution.
Resolution No. R-2023-314 -Staff Summary, October 4th:
The developer for the University Station project (University Station I, LLC and University Station II, LLC) controls the property generally located at 309 and 421 N 21st Avenue and 2031 Polk Street (Folio Nos. 5142-15-01-1950, 5142-15-03-0010, 5142-15-03-0080, and 5142-15-00-0010) under two lease agreements with the City.
The property is slated to be a mixed-use development. The project is an eight-story building, with two separate buildings and a detached garage. The project comprises 216 residential units. The North tower includes ground floor retail spaces, and amenities for residential use and the South tower includes educational, retail spaces, and a lobby for the upper residential units. The project is under construction.
The Applicants have requested the City designate the Property as the “University Station Green Reuse Area” pursuant to section 376.80(2)(c), Florida Statutes, of Florida’s Brownfields Redevelopment Act (the “Act”).
This request is site specific to aforementioned city owned property and does not include any privately owned property or the Regional Activity Center.
BACKGROUND
The State of Florida has provided in the Act cited as Sections 376.77 - 376.85, Florida Statutes, for the designation, by resolution of a municipal governing body, of one or more parcels as a “Brownfield Area,” and for the corresponding provision of environmental remediation, rehabilitation, and economic development. Unlike most resolutions, Section 376.80(2)(c), Florida Statutes requires a Second Public Hearing for the Property.
A “brownfield site” is defined in section 376.79(4) as real property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which has been or may be complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination. The facts here evidence that the Subject Property falls within the definition of the term “brownfield site” in that historical uses of the site for drycleaning and as a fire station create a perception of contamination on the property, which has complicated its redevelopment and reuse. Specifically, dry cleaning facilities are common sources of contamination due to their use of highly mobile and persistent chlorinated solvents which can result in soil and groundwater contamination in the event of a release. Additionally, the historical use by the City as a fire station contributes to the perception of contamination because of its use of a 1,000-gallon underground storage tanks (“USTs”), which may deteriorate over time and leak contents into the soil and ground water. The perception of contamination on the Subject Property has complicated redevelopment efforts for the Applicants by increasing exposure to environmental and regulatory liability with respect to the Project and by requiring the Applicants engage environmental professionals to fully evaluate the conditions at the Property.
The criteria for designation is set forth in Section 376.80(2)(c), Florida Statutes, and the Property qualifies for designation as a brownfield area, known as the “University Station Green Reuse Area” because the following requirements have been satisfied:
1. The Applicants control the Property which is proposed for designation and have agreed to rehabilitate and redevelop it.
2. The rehabilitation and redevelopment of the Property will result in economic productivity in the area and will also provide affordable housing as defined in Section 420.0004, Florida Statutes.
3. The redevelopment of the Property is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and is a permittable use under the City’s Zoning and Land Development Code.
4. Proper notice of the proposed rehabilitation of the Property has been provided to neighbors and nearby residents, and the Applicants have provided those receiving notice the opportunity to provide comments and suggestions regarding the rehabilitation.
5. The Applicants have provided reasonable assurance that it has sufficient financial resources to implement and complete a rehabilitation agreement and redevelopment plan.
The City desires to notify the Florida Department of Environmental Protection of its resolution designating the Property as the “University Station Green Reuse Area” to further its rehabilitation and redevelopment for purposes of Sections 376.77 - 376.85, Florida Statues and the applicable procedures set forth in Sections 376.80 and 166.041, Florida Statutes, have been followed and proper notice has been provided in accordance with § 376.80(1) and § 166.041(4)(c)2, Florida Statutes.
Fiscal Impact:
Approval of this resolution will not fiscally impact the City as this is a proposal to designate these properties as “The University Station Green Reuse Area” which will not render the City of Hollywood liable for costs or site remediation, rehabilitation and economic development, or source removal, as those terms are defined in §§ 376.79 (19) and (20), Florida Statutes, or for any other costs.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Anand Balram, Planning Manager, Planning and Urban Design Division
Andria Wingett, Director, Development Services
Gus Zambrano, Assistant City Manager for Sustainable Development