TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the City of North Port Unified Land Development Code Rewrite Timeline, Strategy, and Prior Directives.
Recommended Action
Discussion and possible action regarding the City of North Port Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) Rewrite timeline, strategy, and prior directives.
Background Information
The ULDC Rewrite is a considerable undertaking. This project started in September 2015, when the University of Florida was hired as the consultant. Their contract was terminated in July 2017. In September 2018 Calvin, Giordano & Associates became the City’s ULDC consultant. Since then, many events beyond the City’s and consultant's control have delayed and hindered the schedule for completion.
In May 2021, Interim City Manager Yarborough presented, at the Commission’s direction, a new process and schedule for the ULDC’s completion. On November 22, City Manager Fletcher revised the ULDC schedule again. The new schedule was revised due to the limitations of staff’s workload and turnover within the department.
Currently, the Commission, the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board (PZAB), and staff have gone through the following Chapters
• Chapter 1 - Provisions
• Chapter 2 - Definitions (minor revisions and additions only)
• Chapter 3 - Special Events portion only
• Chapter 8 - Amendments to Comp Plan and ULDC
• Chapter 10 - Flood Prevention
• Chapter 11 - Resources Protection, including Article 5 the Tree Code
• Chapter 12 - Off Street Parking
• Chapter 14 - Building and Structures
• Chapter 15 - Appendices
• Activity Centers 1 through 5 and 8, permitted and prohibited uses
It is understood the ULDC rewrite is a commission strategic priority and the ULDC rewrite project has been closely followed by many constituents and businesses. Staff is eager to have the changes completed, as well. After learning the Planning and Zoning Department has experienced additional resignations, Commissioner McDowell is concerned about how the remaining staff are able to continue at the current pace and feels that the Commission should be cognizant of staff’s limitations, their workload relating to the City’s growth, and future state mandated projects due in 2022. Commissioner McDowell suggests the Commission should pause the ULDC rewrite, allowing the new Neighborhood Development Services director time to get acclimated to the position and hire the staff necessary to bring the department to “normal” staffing levels. Once this is accomplished, the ULDC can be jumpstarted.
In the meantime, efforts can focus on the chapters which can easily be incorporated into the existing ULDC. The City Attorney and staff input will be vital in regard to which chapters are easily adaptable. However, Commissioner McDowell believes these could include:
• Chapter 2 - Definitions (as it pertains to any changes to the existing ULDC only)
• Chapter 11, Article 5 - Tree Code
• Activity Centers 1 through 5 and 8, permitted and prohibited uses
• New City Code regarding Special Events on Public Property
Strategic Plan
Efficient and Effective Government
Financial Impact
N/A
Procurement
N/A
Attachments:
1. Commissioner McDowell ULDC Timeline
2. City Manager Fletcher’s email dated November 22, 2021
3. Memo Dated November 17,2021 - ULDC Rewrite Timeline Update
4. ULDC Rewrite Timeline Updated November 17, 2021
Prepared by: A. Jerome Fletcher II, City Manager on behalf of Commissioner Debbie McDowell
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, City Manager