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Home My WebLink About2004 - Response to DCA1225 MAIN STREET ■ SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 TELEPHONE (772) 589-5537 n FAX (772) 589-2566 July 22, 2004 Ms. Jamie Coker Division of Community Planning Department of Community Affairs 2555 Shummard Oak Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-21 100 Re: DCA Ref. # Sebastian 04-1 — Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Amendment. Dear Ms. Coker: Please accept this letter as the City's official response to the Department of Community Affairs ORC report for the above referenced project dated April 05, 2004. On June 02, 2004 the City Council of the City of Sebastian approved the following ordinances: Ordinance No: 0-03-16 commonly known as Cross Creek Subdivision (map reference #1) Ordinance No: 0-03-24 commonly known as Sebastian Crossings (map reference #4) Ordinance No: 0-03-26 commonly known as River Oaks Preserve (map reference #5) Ordinance No: 0-03-20 commonly known as Ashbury Subdivision (map reference #3) Additionally, on July 14, 2004, the City Council approved the following ordinance: Ordinance No: 0-03-18 commonly known as The Spencer Project (map reference #2) Furthermore, Ordinance No. 0-03-22 commonly known as Roseland Satellite Tract was an element of the original submittal, but was not approved by the City Council and is therefore not included in this transmittal. The above referenced Ordinances authorize large-scale amendments to the Comprehensive Plan adjusting the Future Land Use Map to LDR (Low Density Residential, 5 units per acre) for certain property located within the corporate limits of the City of Sebastian, as outlined within the accompanying updated Future Land Use Map. Attached please find the following: Three copies of the adopted comprehensive plan amendment; A copy of the adoption ordinances; and A statement indicating the relationship of additional changes made to the above referenced transmittal in response to the Department's ORC report. The following statements are in response to comments and objections raised by the Department's ORC report: Objection 1- Public Facilities Data and Analvsis: The amendment is not supported by data and analysis which identifies that the level of service will be achieved and maintained for sewer and potable water services, and solid waste collection. Attached hereto, please find a memo from Robert A. Morrell, PE, PBS&J, detailing current and future capacity within the County Utility system. Please note the memo clearly states, "based on current and planned expansions and projected capacity, we believe that IRCU will be able to accommodate the planned development in the areas to be annexed." Objection 2- Environmental Data and Analvsis: The amendment is not supported by data and analysis which identifies the extent and type of environmentally sensitive habitats on the Ashbury Subdivision Parcel. There is no analysis, which identifies how these areas will be protected from development encroachment and subsequent habitat loss. Attached hereto is a completed Environmental Site Assessment, Wetlands, Scrub Jay, and Gopher Tortoise Survey, of the Ashbury Subdivision site, as prepared by G.K. Environmental, Inc. Said report concludes that only one "species of special concern' exists on the subject site, which is the gopher tortoise. A state regulatory "Incidental Take" permit will be required prior to permitted land clearing activities. Additionally, three (3) isolated wetlands exist on site, and all have been flagged and verified by the St. Johns River Water Management District. The wetlands are isolated from waters of the state and should not require an Army Corps of Engineers permit. Upland buffers, as required by SJRWMD will be required for preserving wetland boundaries. Comments: Residential Need. There is no current population projection or assessment of vacant lands to evaluate residential need. The latest vacant land use map is circa 1991, as are the latest population projections. Without current data, it is difficult to accurately assess residential need. The 1998 adopted EAR provides some data with regard to housing projections, but this data is almost ten years old. The EAR identified a projected affordable housing needs deficit of 1,659 units. This indicates a need for additional multi -family units in the interior of the City. The subject amendments do not address multi -family need. The amendment should be supported by a needs analysis, confirming the need for additional acreage to meet single-family needs and to address how the City intends to address multi -family needs. Although not required until 2010, the City of Sebastian has undertaken the task of updating (rewriting) the Comprehensive Development Plan, which will incorporate all data as outlined above. Residential need within the community historically has been market driven, with market forces dictating numbers and types of housing products. Although The City is aware of the identifiable need for additional multi- family units within the community, single-family demand has outweighed that of multi -family therefore creating a disproportionate mix. However, the City is addressing the need by supporting positive and mutually beneficial developments such as three separate projects recently approved that incorporate a total of 210 multi -family units, 150 of which are within a State funded affordable housing development 2 known as Pelican Isles. Further to this, the City is currently evaluating a rezoning request within an existing PUD permitting multi -family (8-units/acre) so as to provide infill development of additional units within the community. In addition to the above, the City has approved the following infill multi- family and affordable housing projects since 1998: Bruno's Apartments (Office/Retail Conversion) 6 units Fischer Apartments 8 units Pelican Gardens 53 units Grace's Landing 70 units Sandhill Oaks 97 units Total 234 Including all aforementioned projects, a total of 444 multi -family (affordable, assisted living and market rate) units have been developed within Sebastian, thus addressing the City's multi -family need. The City will continue to promote and support an appropriate housing mix to best serve its residents. As stated within the context of this letter, and supporting documentation previously provided, the City of Sebastian supports the land use amendments under review and requests affirmative confirmation from the Department of Community Affairs in this respect. Thank you for your continued assistance, and if you require additional information to complete your review, please do not hesitate to contact me, or my staff, at (772) 589-5537. Sincerely, T acy E. Hass Director of Growth Management Attachment(s) cc: Michael J. Busha, AICP, Executive Director, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Robert M. Keating, AICP, Community Development Director, Indian River County St. Johns River Water Management District Florida Department of State Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Department of Transportation Florida Department of Agriculture Message Tracy Hass From: Morrell, Robert A. [RAMorrell@pbsj.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 10:10 AM To: 'thass@cityofsebastian.org'; Mike Hotchkiss (mhotchkiss@ircgov.com) Cc: Doan, Matthew A.; Holcomb, Pamela E. Subject: Indian River County Plant capacity Projections Tracy, Page 1 of 1 At the request of Dorri Bosworth and Mike Hotchkiss we are providing you information regarding water and wastewater service by Indian River County Utilities in the CR510 area. The following information was developed in the Draft Water and Wastewater Master Plan prepared by PBS&J with Indian River County Utilities (IRCU): The area in question is planned to be served by IRCU North service area for water and the Combined Central Area for wastewater. The current capacity and demands for the North Water Service Area are approximately 3.53 MGD (Max Day) and 2.94 MGD (AADF) respectively. The plant capacity is currently being expanded to 6.43 MGD (Max Day). The corresponding capacities and projected flows planned for 2010 are 10.58 MGD (Max Day) and 5.82 MGD respectively. The current combined capacities and flow for the County's Combined Central Wastewater Service Area are 2.85 and 2.17 MGD (AADF) respectively. The corresponding capacities and projected flows planned for 2010 are 4.0 and 2.98 MGD (AADF)respectively. Based on the current and planned expansions and projected capacity, we believe that IRCU will be able to accommodate the planned development in the areas to be annexed. If this is unclear or needs further explanation, please call me or Mike Hotchkiss with the County. :.. Robert A. Morrell, PE, DEE PBS&J 482 South Keller Road Orlando, FL 32810 (407) 647-7275 ext. 384 (407) 806-4384 (Direct Line) (407) 647-0624 (Fax) (407) 257-0341 (Cell) 7/23/2004