SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the annexation, initial Future Land Use Map designations of Residential Low (RL), Residential Medium (RM), and Preservation (P), and Drainage Feature Overlay and initial Zoning Atlas designations of Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR), Medium Density Residential (MDR), and Preservation (P) districts for 1813 Carlton Drive; 1752 Evans Drive; 2700 and 2715 Morningside Drive; 2709 and 2738 Woodring Drive; 2718 Terrace Drive North; 2723/2725 South Drive and 2741 South Drive (all parcels are located in Section 5, Township 29 South, Range 16 East); together with certain rights of way of South Drive, Woodring Drive, Morningside Drive, Evans Drive and Terrace Drive; and pass Ordinances 8576-14, 8577-14 and 8578-14 on first reading. (ATA2014-05002)
Body
SUMMARY:
The City of Clearwater Planning and Development Department identified an area within the Clearwater Planning Area with a large concentration of properties with Agreements to Annex (ATAs) that are eligible for annexation. These properties are located east of U.S. Highway 19, north of State Road 590, south of South Drive, and west of El Trinidad Drive. Subdivisions in this area include Virginia Grove Terrace, Carlton Terrace, and Pinellas Terrace. The Department identified a total of 189 properties in this area that could be annexed through a phased approach over several years, and to date 171 properties have been annexed.
This application, which has been identified as Phase G of the overall annexation project, includes 9 properties. Current or previous owners of these properties entered into ATAs between 1983 and 2008 to obtain sanitary sewer service. The Planning and Development Department is initiating this project to bring the properties into the City's jurisdiction in compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in the agreements. The Phase G properties are occupied by 8 detached dwellings and 1 attached dwelling (2 units) on 1.77 acres of land. It is proposed that approximately 1.05 acres of right-of-way throughout this area on South Drive, Woodring Drive, Morningside Drive, Evans Drive and Terrace Drive North right-of-way not currently within the city limits also be annexed. It is proposed that 7 properties be assigned a Future Land Use Map designation of Residential Low (RL), and 2 properties be assigned a Future Land Use Map designation of Residential Medium (RM). A drainage ditch traverses 3 of these properties (2715 Morningside Drive, 2718 Terrace Drive North and 1752 Evans Drive) for which the Preservation (P) and Drainage Feature Overlay designations are proposed consistent with the ditch boundaries. It is proposed that 8 parcels be assigned the zoning designation of Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District with the exception of the 2723/2725 South Drive property where it is proposed that the parcel be assigned a zoning designation of Medium Density Residential (MDR). In addition, it is proposed that the aforementioned properties with the drainage ditch also be assigned the Preservation (P) zoning category.
The Planning and Development Department has determined that the proposed annexation is consistent with the provisions of Community Development Code Section 4-604.E as follows:
· The properties currently receive sanitary sewer service from the City and water service from Pinellas County. Collection of solid waste will be provided by the City. The properties are located within Police District III and service will be administered through the district headquarters located at 2851 N. McMullen Booth Road. Fire and emergency medical services will be provided to these properties by Station 48 located at 1700 Belcher Road. The City has adequate capacity to serve the properties with solid waste, police, fire and EMS service. Water service will continue to be provided by Pinellas County. The proposed annexations will not have an adverse effect on public facility levels of service; and
· The proposed annexation is consistent with and promotes the following objectives and policy of the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan:
Policy A.7.1.3: Invoke agreements to annex where properties located within enclaves meet the contiguity requirements of Florida Statutes Chapter 171.
Objective A.6.4: Due to the built-out character of the City of Clearwater, compact urban development within the urban service area shall be promoted through application of the Clearwater Community Development Code.
Objective A.7.2: Diversify and expand the City's tax base through the annexation of a variety of land uses located within the Clearwater Planning Area.
· The proposed Residential Low (RL), Residential Medium (RM), Preservation (P), and Drainage Feature Overlay Future Land Use Map categories are consistent with the current Countywide Plan designation of the properties. The Residential Low (RL) designation primarily permits residential uses at a density of 5 units per acre while the Residential Medium (RM) designation primarily permits residential uses at a density of 15 units per acre. The Preservation (P) and Drainage Feature Overlay categories proposed to be applied to three properties recognize the watershed and drainage features on the properties. The proposed zoning districts to be assigned to the properties are the Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR), Medium Density Residential (MDR), and Preservation (P) Districts. The uses of the subject properties are consistent with the uses allowed in the Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) and Medium Density Residential (MDR) Districts. However, the property located at 2723/2725 South Drive is an existing duplex, and although the use is allowed within the Medium Density Residential (MDR) District, the property does not meet the minimum lot width requirement and the lot size does not support the development of two units on the site based on the MDR District. The provisions of Community Development Code Article 6 Nonconformity Provisions will apply to this property once annexed into the City. All other properties meet the minimum dimensional requirements of the Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District; therefore, the proposed annexation is consistent with the Countywide Plan, Clearwater Comprehensive Plan, and Clearwater Community Development Code; and
The properties proposed for annexation are contiguous to existing City boundaries along at least one property boundary; therefore, the annexations are consistent with Florida Statutes Chapter 171.044.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
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USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: