SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve amendments to the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan to address the creation of a new Parks and Recreation impact fee system; and pass Ordinance 9638-23 on first reading. (CPA2022-10002)
Body
SUMMARY:
Proposed Ordinance 9638-23 amends the Recreation and Open Space Element of the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan to provide for a new Parks and Recreation Facilities impact fee system. The amendment is necessary to ensure consistency between the Comprehensive Plan and a proposed text amendment which would replace Chapter 54 of the Community Development Code in its entirety and is being processed concurrently (TA2022-10002, Ordinance 9639-23). This Element has not been updated, revised, or amended since 2008 and the methodology and calculation of the fees contained in the Recreation and Open Space Dedication in the Community Development Code have not been updated since 1983.
Tindale Oliver (now Benesch) of Tampa, Florida, was retained to prepare a technical report that documents current conditions in Clearwater as the basis to establish a new impact fee system. The technical report documented the current cost, credit, and demand components associated with providing parks and recreation facilities, along with a resulting fee schedule.
The Planning and Development Department has determined that the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments are consistent with and further the goals, objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Plan as outlined in the staff report. The Community Development Board (CDB) reviewed the proposed amendments at its meeting on March 21, 2023, and unanimously recommended the amendments for approval.
As this is a text amendment to the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan, review and approval by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is required. As part of the state review, the proposed amendments will be transmitted to the various State agencies and Pinellas County for review prior to second reading (adoption) by City Council, which is anticipated to occur in July.