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AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Meeting Date: November 28, 2011
From: Ken Thomas, Director of Housing & Economic Development
Subject: Resolution authorizing Lake County to apply for designation of an Enterprise Zone for Leesburg.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution authorizing Lake County Government to apply for designation of an Enterprise Zone for Leesburg.
Analysis:
The need for incentives and effective tools to overcome the challenges and impediments to business development in Lake County cities’ older core areas led to a request for legislative authorization to apply to the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED) to designate an enterprise zone within eligible areas of Lake County. Legislative authorization was granted and approved by the Governor effective May 31, 2011.
In July, 2011, the Economic Development Team of Lake County held a meeting to discuss a potential Enterprise Zone. The concept of an Enterprise Zone was first presented to the Board of County Commissioners in August 2011 with representatives of the eligible cities in the audience. Staff showed the Board of County Commissioners the areas within the County that were eligible to comprise an Enterprise Zone. The three areas are located in Mascotte, Leesburg and Eustis. The eligibility was based on the poverty, unemployment and other signs of blight. Thereafter, the Leesburg City Commission approved a resolution to designate the Leesburg Carver Heights area as an Enterprise Zone.
Lake County Staff began meeting with each of the cities to discuss issues, activities and other potential programs that could assist in revitalizing the eligible areas within the potential Enterprise Zone. Below is a list of issues and concerns of the subject proposed Leesburg Enterprise Zone and the other two Cities.
Issue and Activities Identification
�. Deteriorated housing
�. Streetscapes
�. Code enforcement (trash, bulk waste, abandoned vehicles, and overgrown lots)
�. Parks
�. Commercial façade improvements
�. Commercial rehab
�. Community cleanups
�. Review land development regulations and comprehensive policies to assure that it supports rehabilitation goals
�. Neighborhood planning
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Sanitation code revisions |
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Expedited review of site plans |
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Business mentoring |
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Identify targeted businesses |
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Business plans |
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Business recruitment |
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Job matching |
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Business retention |
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Job training |
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Roads / Transportation enhancements |
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Childcare |
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Accessibility |
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Transportation |
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Residential infill |
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Crime prevention |
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Vacant residential lots |
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Drug and violent crimes |
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Residential rental |
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CEPTED |
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Housing rehabilitation |
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Safety code compliance |
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Lien waiver program |
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Street lighting |
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Lot acquisition program |
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Based on the meeting with all three Cities it was determined that seven goal areas were the priorities and strategies. Additionally, partnerships will need to be established and identified in the action plan to achieve the goals.
The goal areas identified are:
1 Community Aesthetics
2 Housing/Neighborhood Development
3 Public Safety
4 Education / Job Training
5 Environment
6 Business Development
7 Infrastructure
Once the enterprise zone is approved by the State of Florida, programs and services will be established to address the issues and concerns.
Options:
1. Approve the resolution as presented by Staff and/or;
2. Such alternative action as the Commission may deem appropriate
Fiscal Impact:
No funding is required to establish designation.
Submission Date and Time: 11/23/2011 5:20 PM____
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Department: ______________________ Prepared by: ______________________ Attachments: Yes____ No ______ Advertised: ____Not Required ______ Dates: __________________________ Attorney Review : Yes___ No ____
_________________________________ Revised 6/10/04 |
Reviewed by: Dept. Head ________
Finance Dept. ______JB__________
Deputy C.M. ___________________ Submitted by: City Manager ___________________ |
Account No. _________________
Project No. ___________________
WF No. ______________________
Budget ______________________
Available _____________________ |
RESOLUTION NO._______________
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA, REPEALING RESOLUTION 8900 ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 12, 2011, AND APPROVING THIS RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LAKE COUNTY'S NOMINATION OF THREE AREAS LOCATED WITHIN THE CITIES OF EUSTIS, LEESBURG, AND MASCOTTE FOR INCLUSION IN A FLORIDA ENTERPRISE ZONE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the State of Florida enacted the Florida Enterprise Zone Act, Sections 290.001 – 290.016, Florida Statutes, to incentivize and induce private investment in distressed areas, in order to restore the economic productivity of such areas and create economic opportunities; and
WHEREAS, by enacting Section 290.00728, Florida Statutes, the Florida Legislature has authorized Lake County to apply to the State Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED) for designation of an enterprise zone of up to ten square miles within Lake County; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners wishes to nominate three areas comprising almost ten square miles located within the cities of Eustis, Leesburg, and Mascotte, as the County’s designated enterprise zone (the “Enterprise Zone”); and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners has determined that the nominated area meets the criteria of Section 290.0055(1)(a), and wishes to induce private investment in the Enterprise Zone in order to promote economic rehabilitation and revitalization of the nominated area; and
WHEREAS, designation of an Enterprise Zone is consistent with the City of Leesburg’s Strategic Plan economic goals.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:
THAT the City Commission supports the nomination of the Lake County Enterprise Zone and confirms the determination that the area designated within the City of Leesburg (Exhibit A attached) meets the criteria of Section 290.0055(1)(a), Florida Statutes.
THIS RESOLUTION shall take effect immediately upon its passage and adoption in accordance with law.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at the regular meeting of the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, held on the 28th day of November , 2011.
THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA
BY:
BILL POLK, Mayor
ATTEST:
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BETTY M. RICHARDSON, City Clerk
Enterprise Zone Legal Description – Leesburg
Begin at the northwest corner of Urick Street (1-5407) and CR 468 in Section 9, Township 19, Range 24, run east along Urick Street to Thomas Ave (1-5108), run Southerly along Thomas Ave to the intersection of Tally Road (1-5109) in Section 15, Township 19, Range 24, run east along Tally Road to Timber Road, run South along Timber Road to the intersection of the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad in Section 22, Township 19, Range 24, run westerly along the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad to Thomas Avenue in Section 22, Township 19, Range 24, run south along Thomas Ave to SR 44, run west along SR 44 to CR 468 in Section 28, Township 19, Range 24, run north along CR 468 to POB, less all lakes and wetlands,
And
Begin at the intersection of Thomas Ave (1-5108) and West Main Street in section 27, Township 19, Range 24, run east along Main Street to US Highway 27, run south along US Highway 27 to the intersection of US Highway 27and CR 25A in section 2, Township 20, Range 24, run northerly along the Abandoned Seaboard Coastline Railroad until it intersects with SR 44, run west along SR 44 until it intersects with Lone Oak Drive, run north along Lone Oak Drive to West Main Street, run West to POB, less all lakes and wetlands.
LESS and EXCEPT property within the municipal limits of the City of Fruitland Park as of October 13, 2011.