Miscellaneous

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Division of Community Planning
DCA Order No. DCA07-OR-139A

STATE OF FLORIDA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

In re:       A LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATION

                ADOPTED BY ISLAMORADA VILLAGE OF

                ISLANDS ORDINANCE NO. 07-11

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                        AMENDED FINAL ORDER

The Department of Community Affairs (the “Department”) hereby issues its Final Order, pursuant to §§ 380.05(6), Fla. Stat., and § 380.0552(9), Fla. Stat. (2006), rejecting a land development regulation adopted by a local government within the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern as set forth below.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1.     The Florida Keys Area is a statutorily designated area of critical state concern, and Islamorada, Village of Islands is a local government within the Florida Keys Area.

2.     On May 22, 2007, the Department received for review Islamorada, Village of Islands Ordinance No. 07-11 (“Ord. No. 07-11”) adopted by the Village on May 10, 2007.

3.     The purpose of the Ordinance is to amend Section 30-32, “Specific Definitions” of the Village Code with respect to the definition of a room, hotel, or motel; and further amending Article V “Schedule of District Use and Development Standards,” Division VII “Off-Street Parking, Loading and Driveway Standards,” Section 30-852 “Off-Street Parking” of the Village Code, and Modifying the Parking Requirements of Hotel or Motel Rooms.

4.     The existing definition of a room, hotel or motel is found in Section 30-32 and means a unit in a public lodging establishment as defined by F.S. § 509.013(4)(a) intended for transient lodging only for periods not exceeding 30 days.  Transient occupancy shall conform to the definition contained in F.S. § 509.103(8) as to transient occupancy.  For the purpose of density restriction under this chapter:

(1)   Hotel or motel rooms may be a single room or a suite and may include a kitchen but no more than 1 1/2 bathrooms;

(2)   All entrances to a hotel or motel room shall share the same key or means of controlling access so that the hotel or motel room as defined herein is not divisible into separately rentable units; and

(3)   Suites containing more than one bedroom and 1 1/2 baths may be constructed; however, each bedroom/full bath combination shall be considered a hotel/motel unit.

5.     The proposed amendment is changing the definition of a hotel/motel room from a unit defined as each bedroom/full bath combination to a unit that can be up to two (2), or three (3) bedrooms, with up to two (2) full bathrooms and one-half bathroom with one (1) kitchen, and one (1) additional living area (excluding bedrooms), not exceeding 2,000 square feet of habitable floor area, provided that the average habitable floor area of all hotel or motel units on the property does not exceed 1,500 square feet.

6.     Data and analysis has not been provided to evaluate the net change in maximum potential development for the approximate 1,400 existing hotel and motel units within the Village, the net potential change of density and intensity, the potential impacts to hurricane evacuation as well as potential impacts on potable water supply or the potential impacts to affordable housing/work force housing from the proposed redevelopment of hotels and motels within the Village.

7.     The proposed amendment is contrary to the Village Comprehensive Plan Policy 1-2.1.10 “Restrict Development of New Transient Units” which states that “Islamorada, Village of Islands shall cap the number of new transient units at the number of current hotel and motel rooms, campground and recreational vehicle spaces.”  The proposed amendment would allow for the conversion of an existing one bedroom, one bath hotel unit to a two bedroom, two bath unit with no equivalency redevelopment reduction.  An existing one bedroom, one bath, and two bedroom, one bath hotel unit may be redeveloped to a 2,000 square foot three bedroom, two and one-half bath hotel/motel unit with a ninety (90) percent conversion factor.

8.     The proposed amendment increases the number of required parking spaces from 1 space per room up to 1.2 spaces for two bedroom units and 1.5 spaces for three bedroom hotel/motel units to accommodate additional vehicles staying at the redeveloped hotel/motel units with an average habitable floor area of 1,500 square feet.  The increase in size of the redeveloped hotel and motel units along with the increased required number of parking spaces necessary to accommodate additional vehicles may negatively impact hurricane evacuation clearance times.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

9.     The Department is required to approve or reject land development regulations or portions thereof that are enacted, amended, or rescinded by any local government in the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern. §§ 380.05(6), Fla. Stat., and § 380.0552(9), Fla. Stat. (2006).

10.   Islamorada, Village of Islands is a local government within the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern. § 380.0552, Fla. Stat. (2006), and Rule 28-29.002 (superseding Chapter 27F-8), Fla. Admin. Code.

11.   “Land development regulations” include local zoning, subdivision, building, and other regulations controlling the development of land. § 380.031(8), Fla. Stat. (2006).  The regulations adopted by Ord. 07-11 are land development regulations.

12.   All land development regulations enacted, amended or rescinded within an area of critical state concern must be consistent with the Principles for Guiding Development (the “Principles”) as set forth in § 380.0552(7), Fla. Stat. (2006).  See Rathkamp v. Department of Community Affairs, 21 F.A.L.R. 1902 (Dec. 4, 1998), aff’d, 740 So. 2d 1209 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999).  The Principles are construed as a whole and no specific provision is construed or applied in isolation from the other provisions.

13.   Ord. 07-11 is inconsistent with the following Principles:

        (a) To strengthen local government capabilities for managing land use and development so that local government is able to achieve these objectives without the continuation of the area of critical state concern designation.

        (d) To ensure the maximum well-being of the Florida Keys and its citizens through sound economic development.

        (j) To make available adequate affordable housing for all sectors of the population of the Florida.

        (l) To protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Florida Keys and maintain the Florida Keys as a unique Florida Resource.

14.   Ordinance 07-11 is neutral in effect on the remaining Principles.

15.   Ordinance 07-11 has not demonstrated consistency with the following provisions of the Islamorada, Village of Islands Comprehensive Plan:

Policy 1-2.1.10: Restrict Development of New Transient Units, Islamorada shall cap the number of new transient units at the number of current and vested hotel and motel rooms, campground and recreational vehicle spaces existing within the Village as of December 6, 2001.

Policy 2-1.6.3: Adopt a 24 Hour Hurricane Evacuation Time for the Florida Keys.

Policy 3-1.1.8: Mandate Provision of Employee Housing for developers of new or expanded businesses.

Policy 1-2.2.4: Uses that are Non-Conforming Due to Density if legally permitted may be redeveloped to the same density.  The Director of Community Planning and Development Services may consider a reduction of any of the applicable regulations upon a finding that the reduction is consistent with the Village Comprehensive Plan.

Policy 1-2.2.6: Enlargement or Extension to Non-Conforming Structures, if any of the existing hotel/motel rooms are non-conforming structures, they may not be expanded or redeveloped with improvements that constitute a substantial improvement.

WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that Ord. 07-11 is found to be inconsistent with the Principles for Guiding Development of the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern, and is hereby REJECTED.

This Order becomes effective 21 days after publication in the F.A.W. unless a petition is filed as described below.

DONE AND ORDERED in Tallahassee, Florida.

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE RIGHTS

ANY PERSON WHOSE SUBSTANTIAL INTERESTS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS ORDER HAS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO SECTION 120.569, FLORIDA STATUTES, REGARDING THE AGENCY’S ACTION. DEPENDING UPON WHETHER YOU ALLEGE ANY DISPUTED ISSUE OF MATERIAL FACT IN YOUR PETITION REQUESTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE  PROCEEDING, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO EITHER AN INFORMAL PROCEEDING OR A FORMAL HEARING.

IF YOUR PETITION FOR HEARING DOES NOT ALLEGE ANY DISPUTED ISSUE OF MATERIAL FACT CONTAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTION, THEN THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING WILL BE AN INFORMAL ONE, CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 120.569 AND 120.57(2), FLORIDA STATUTES, AND CHAPTER 28-106, PARTS I AND III, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. IN AN INFORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING, YOU MAY BE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL OR BY A QUALIFIED REPRESENTATIVE, AND YOU MAY PRESENT WRITTEN OR ORAL EVIDENCE IN OPPOSITION TO THE DEPARTMENT'S ACTION OR REFUSAL TO ACT; OR YOU MAY EXERCISE THE OPTION TO PRESENT A WRITTEN STATEMENT CHALLENGING THE GROUNDS UPON WHICH THE DEPARTMENT HAS CHOSEN TO JUSTIFY ITS ACTION OR IN ACTION.

IF YOU DISPUTE ANY ISSUE OF MATERIAL FACT STATED IN THE AGENCY ACTION, THEN YOU MAY FILE A PETITION REQUESTING A FORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING BEFORE AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE OF THE DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS, PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 120.569 AND 120.57(1), FLORIDA STATUTES, AND CHAPTER 28-106, PARTS I AND II, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.  AT A FORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING, YOU MAY BE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL OR OTHER QUALIFIED REPRESENTATIVE, AND YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT EVIDENCE AND ARGUMENT ON ALL THE ISSUES INVOLVED, TO CONDUCT CROSS-EXAMINATION AND SUBMIT REBUTTAL EVIDENCE, TO SUBMIT PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND ORDERS, AND TO FILE EXCEPTIONS TO ANY RECOMMENDED ORDER.

IF YOU DESIRE EITHER AN INFORMAL PROCEEDING OR A FORMAL HEARING, YOU MUST FILE WITH THE AGENCY CLERK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS A WRITTEN PLEADING ENTITLED, “PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS” WITHIN 21 CALENDAR DAYS OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. A PETITION IS FILED WHEN IT IS RECEIVED BY THE AGENCY CLERK, IN THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL, 2555 SHUMARD OAK BOULEVARD, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-2100.

THE PETITION MUST MEET THE FILING REQUIREMENTS IN SUBSECTION 28-106.104(2), FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. IF AN INFORMAL PROCEEDING IS REQUESTED, THEN THE PETITION SHALL BE SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 28-106.301, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. IF A FORMAL HEARING IS REQUESTED, THEN THE PETITION SHALL BE SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION 28-106.201(2), FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.

A PERSON WHO HAS FILED A PETITION MAY REQUEST MEDIATION.  A REQUEST FOR MEDIATION MUST INCLUDE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY RULE 28-106.402, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.  CHOOSING MEDIATION DOES NOT AFFECT THE RIGHT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING.

YOU WAIVE THE RIGHT TO AN INFORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING OR A FORMAL HEARING IF YOU DO NOT FILE A PETITION WITH THE AGENCY CLERK WITHIN 21 DAYS OF PUBLICATION OF THIS FINAL ORDER.

                                                                                ________________________________

                                                                                CHARLES GAUTHIER, AICP

                                                                                Director, Division of Community Planning

                                                                                Department of Community Affairs

                                                                                2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard

                                                                                Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100

CERTIFICATE OF FILING AND SERVICE

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the original of the foregoing Final Order has been filed with the undersigned Agency Clerk of the Department of Community Affairs, and that true and correct copies have been furnished to the persons listed below by the method indicated this 14th day of August,  2007.

                                                                                ______________________________

                                                                                Paula Ford, Agency Clerk

By U.S. Mail:

Honorable Dave Boerner, Mayor

Islamorada, Village of Islands

Post Office Box 568

Islamorada, FL  33036

 

Beverly Raddatz, Village Clerk

Islamorada, Village of Islands

Post Office Box 568

Islamorada, FL  33036

 

Nina Boniske, Esq.

James White, Esq.

Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza

   Guedes Cole & Boniske, P.A.

3107 Stirling Drive, Suite 300

Fort Lauderdale, FL  33312-8500