SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a Future Land Use Map amendment from the Residential Low (RL) category to the Residential Urban (RU) category for 3003 Merrill Avenue, 3025 Merrill Avenue and 512 Moss Avenue, and pass Ordinance 9283-19 on first reading. (LUP2019-03001)
Body
SUMMARY:
This future land use amendment involves three parcels of land located on the south side of Merrill Avenue and west of Moss Avenue, approximately 705 feet west of McMullen Booth Road. Saxony Company Inc. owns the easternmost parcel, 510 Moss Avenue, which is about 0.20 acres. They also own the middle plot, 3025 Merrill Avenue, which is about 0.70 acres, in conjunction with Advanta IRA Services. The western parcel, 3003 Merrill Avenue, is approximately 0.40 acres and is owned by Robin J. Sloan. The three parcels combined are a total of 1.30 acres.
The request is to change the properties’ Future Land Use Map designation from Residential Low (RL) to Residential Urban (RU). There is no need to request a rezoning of the properties as the current Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District is consistent with the proposed future land use designation.
Currently, there is a single-family dwelling on each parcel. The applicant has indicated the intent is to redevelop at least two of the parcels, 510 Moss Avenue and 3025 Merrill Avenue, with detached dwellings that fit the need of the market, with a smaller footprint allowing them to make better use of the limited area they have available. However, no site plan application has been submitted at this time. The property owner of 3003 Merrill Avenue has requested the same changes to her property so that all three parcels within the block, on the south side of Merrill Avenue would have the same future land use.
The Planning and Development Department has determined that the proposed Future Land Use Map amendment is consistent with the provisions of the Community Development Code as specified below:
• The proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Countywide Plan Rules.
• The proposed amendment is compatible with the surrounding properties and character of the neighborhood.
• Sufficient public facilities are available to serve the properties.
• The proposed amendment will not have an adverse impact on the natural environment.
• The proposed amendment will not have an adverse impact on the use of the property in the immediate area.
The underlying Countywide Plan Map category on the proposed amendment area is consistent with the proposed City of Clearwater future use land designation of Residential Urban (RU); therefore, no amendment is required to the Countywide Plan Map. The application is a small-scale amendment so review and approval by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is not required.
The Community Development Board reviewed this application at its June 18, 2019 public hearing and made a unanimous recommendation of approval to the council.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A