AGENDA MEMORANDUM

 

 

MEETING DATE:   October 12, 2009

 

FROM:                       Bill Wiley, AICP, Community Development Director

 

SUBJECT:                  Resolution authorizing transmittal of a Letter of Understanding for the 2010 City of Leesburg Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) to the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) identifying the key planning issues

 

 

Staff Recommendation: 

The Planning staff recommends authorizing transmittal of the Letter of Understanding to DCA.

 

Analysis:

On August 11, 17 and September 3, 2009, the City of Leesburg held public workshops to identify and discuss the key planning issues that should be addressed in the 2010 Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR).  On September 17, 2009, the City held an interagency scoping meeting, inviting members of the adjacent local governments, state and regional agency representatives to receive input on the list of issues.  The City’s consultant, LPG Urban & Regional Planners, Inc. has formalized the attached key planning issues from the workshops for approval by the City Commission and transmittal to DCA.

 

Options:        

1.         Approve the resolution authorizing transmittal of the Letter of Understanding to DCA.

 

            2.         Other such action as the Commission may deem appropriate.

 

Fiscal Impact:

There is no fiscal impact to the City.

 

Submission Date and Time:    10/9/09 11:35 AM____

 

Department: Community Development

Prepared by:  Yvette Brandt, AICP and Bill Wiley, AICP                     

Attachments:         Yes__X__   No ______

Advertised:   ____Not Required ______                     

Dates:   __________________________                     

Attorney Review :       Yes_X__  No ____

                                                

_________________________________           

Revised 6/10/04

 

Reviewed by: Dept. Head ___YES___

 

Finance  Dept. __________________                                     

                              

Deputy C.M. ______ _________                                                                         

Submitted by:

City Manager ___________________

 

Account No. _________________

 

Project No. ___________________

 

WF No. ______________________

 

Budget  ______________________

 

Available _____________________

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION NO. __________

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING TRANSMITTAL OF A LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE 2010 CITY OF LEESBURG EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (DCA) IDENTIFYING THE KEY PLANNING ISSUES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:

 

THAT the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorizing the transmittal of a Letter of Understanding for the 2010 City of Leesburg Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) to the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) identifying the key planning issues. A copy of the letter is attached.

 

THAT this resolution shall become effective immediately.

 

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida at a regular meeting held on the 12th day of October, 2009.

 

THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA

 

 

                                                                        _________________________________________

                                                                        MAYOR

 

ATTEST:

 

 

____________________________________

City Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 12, 2009

 

 

James D. Stansbury, Regional Planning Administrator

Department of Community Affairs

Division of Community Planning

2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard

Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100

 

RE: Letter of Understanding for the 2010 City of Leesburg Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR)

 

Dear Mr Stansbury:

 

On August 11, 17, and September 3, 2009, the City of Leesburg held public workshops to identify and discuss the key planning issues that should be addressed in the 2010 Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report.  On September 17, 2009 the City held an interagency scoping meeting, inviting members of the adjacent local governments, state and regional agency representatives to receive input on the list of issues.  The City then formalized the issues which were approved by the City Commission at its meeting on October 12, 2009.

 

Please find enclosed the list of major issues that the City proposes to address in it 2010 Evaluation and Appraisal Report.  An analysis of the Comprehensive Plan goals, objectives and policies within each element will also be performed not only to ensure consistency with the identified issues, but to evaluate whether progress has been made towards achieving objectives during the past evaluation period.  Modifications to the plan will be recommended as necessary. 

 

In addition, the City will update the City’s population projections and identify necessary changes to the plan as required by Chapter 163, Florida Statutes (F.S.), Rule 9J-5, Florida Administrative Code and the Strategic Regional Policy Plan since the last plan update.  The EAR will evaluate whether the plan has been updated to address these changes, and will identify the specific objectives and policies that reflect these changes.  If changes have not already been made, the EAR will identify the changes needed to be made to the plan to make it consistent with the above.

 

The EAR will also address all the remaining requirements set forth under Section 163.3191(2), F.S.

 

If you have any questions, or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me or Yvette L. Brandt, AICP, Senior Planner at (352) 728-9764.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Bill Wiley, AICP

Community Development Director

 

Attachment

 

 

 

 

 

CITY OF LEESBURG

 

ISSUES FOR 2010 EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT

 

 

1.       Economic development – As the 2nd largest City in Lake County, the City provides employment opportunities for not only City residents, but the wider community.  The provision of jobs is important to a stable economy and the City wishes to strengthen its role as an employment center, by encouraging businesses to locate within the community, encouraging redevelopment of vacant properties and by providing economic incentives.  Leesburg Regional Airport and the City’s proximity to the Florida Turnpike (and I-75) provide opportunities to build on existing facilities and promote economic development.  Objectives and policies will be developed to focus on encouraging economic development.

 

2.      Development  – The growth of the City in the CR 470 area provides an opportunity to plan for new growth and development, in a comprehensive sustainable manner.  This will be accomplished by holding visioning sessions with the community, and developing an overlay/masterplan for the CR 470 corridor area that will address new development through the use of new urbanism principles.  The plan would include design standards, residential/industrial mix, planned development mixed use, and the provision of utilities and services.  Opportunities will be taken to coordinate land uses with the neighboring City of Wildwood, acquire right-of-way for new/expanded multi-modal transportation corridors, and provide educational and recreational facilities for existing and new residents.  Better use of land through the use of multi-story buildings (including schools) will be encouraged.

 

3.      Redevelopment Opportunities – It is recognized that through the various CRAs improvements have been made to neighborhoods.  However, additional improvements are necessary to address vacant lands, infill development, inadequate housing, and the US 27 corridor.  Opportunities for redevelopment of properties on US 441/Leesburg Mall will be explored, together with vacant/unused school sites.

 

4.      Multi-modal transportation – The City has a number of transportation advantages.   It is located at a junction of 2 major highways (US27 & 441), has direct access to the Florida Turnpike and hence I-75, has a regional airport with potential for expansion of services, and an existing County public transit system which links to the Leesburg Mall.  These facilities provide an excellent basis for the development of multi-modal transportation system.  The City will address opportunities to develop the City as a transportation hub, developing strategies and policies which encourage pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit, while minimizing development impacts on existing constrained roadways, and ensuring that future airport expansion is compatible with nearby land uses. 

 

5.      Annexation – The City will revisit moving forward with a JPA with Lake County and resolve areas of overlap; develop Joint Planning Area agreements with adjacent cities; discuss interlocal service agreements and develop overall growth policy for annexation.