Title
An Ordinance Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Amending Article 5 Of The Zoning And Land Development Regulations Entitled “Development Review Process” By Amending Section 5.1. Entitled “General Provisions” To Establish Public Participation Outreach Process, And Amending Section 5.6 Entitled “City Commission Request For Review Of A Board Decision” To Revise The Timeframe For Such Review. (19-T-81)
Strategic Plan Focus
Communications & Civic Engagement
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Ordinance.
Explanation:
Following first reading, Staff is recommending minor changes to the language of the proposed Ordinance. To ensure clarity of the requirement to the public, Staff has amended the text as follows:
A Public Participation Outreach Meetings shall be required for Land Use, Rezoning, Special Exception, and Site Plan requests. Applicants shall conduct a at least one public participation outreach meeting and provide mailed written notice to all property owners and certified/registered civic and neighborhood association(s) within 500 feet of the proposed project. Fifteen days prior to the meeting, the applicant shall mail such notice and post a sign on the property, including the date, time, and place of the public participation outreach meeting. Such meetings shall occur prior to the applicable Board or City Commission meetings and the Applicant shall include in its application packet a letter certifying the date(s), time(s), location(s), a copy of the sign-in sheet, presentation material and general summary of the discussion, including comments expressed during the meeting(s).
During a City Commission meeting, Staff was directed to evaluate regulations pertaining to public participation outreach during the development review process, in order to explore additional opportunities for public engagement. At this time, Applicants are required to notice the public at least 15 days prior to a public hearing. While the City currently has no regulations that require Applicants to meet with the public, prior to noticing of the public hearing, Staff does strongly encourage Applicants to meet with neighboring civic associations prior to the Board hearing. Furthermore, Staff was also directed to amend the time period in which the Commission can call for review applications heard before the Planning & Development Board, and the Historic Preservation Board. The combination of these changes promote community engagement by enhancing public involvement to ensure transparency and also allows the Commission additional time for review of Board decisions. The request proposes to amend Article 5 by increasing the Commission Call for Request timeframe from 15 days to 17 days, and require that Applicants meet with neighboring residents and civic associations prior to the Board hearing.
Attachment I: March 10, 2020 Planning and Development Board Staff Report
Fiscal Impact:
Approval of this ordinance will not fiscally impact the City as this is a request to amend the City’s regulations as it relates to public engagement.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Deandrea Moise, Planning Administrator
Leslie A. Del Monte, Planning Manager
Shiv Newaldass, Director, Development Services
Gus Zambrano, Assistant City Manager/Sustainable Development