The City proposes to relocate the existing Oakland Park Fire Station #9 to a new facility that would be built in a small area of Stevens Field at 3881 NE 6th Avenue. Stevens Field is a City owned baseball park that is currently designated as Parks & Recreation on the City’s Future Land Use Plan and is zoned OS: Open Space District on the City’s Zoning Map. A text amendment to the permitted use language of the OS Zoning District classification will be necessary to be consistent with the language describing the Community Facility use type for the Parks & Recreation land use designation category of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
The Comp Plan text amendment language was adopted by the City Commission in October. The Land Development Code text amendment language for the OS Zoning District would add Civic and Cultural Buildings as a permitted uses and add Community Facilities that are publicly owned and promote health, safety, and welfare provided minimum open space requirements of 3 acres per 1,000 existing or future residents is maintained, no more than 5 acres are used for the facility, and sufficient and functional open space serving area residents would be retained.
Applicable Zoning Codes:
Sec. 24-45. - OS: Open Space District
(A) Purpose. To accommodate and preserve the public open space and recreational uses need to serve the residents of the area.
(B) Uses permitted.
(1) Permitted as a right if owned and operated by a governmental body and site plan is approved in accordance with article XII.
(a) Passive recreational uses, including, but not limited to: nature centers and trails, scenic areas, wildlife sanctuaries and feeding stations, aquatic preserves and picnic areas.
(b) Golf courses which are intended to remain permanent open space.
(c) Camping ground and facilities.
(d) Cemeteries.
(e) Active recreational uses, including, but not limited to: tennis courts, playgrounds, swimming pools, athletic fields and courts, beaches and bikeways.
(f) Boat ramps and docks.
(g) Outdoor cultural, educational and civic facilities, including, but not limited to: animal exhibits, habitats, bandshells and outdoor classrooms.
(h) Concessions only when accessory to the above uses. Examples of such concessions are refreshment stands, pro shops, souvenir shops and rental facilities.
(i) Civic and cultural buildings may be permitted if they are ancillary to the primary recreation use of the site.
(j) Community facilities and utility uses, up to five (5) acres, provided that the:
a. Community facility and/or utility uses are publicly owned and intended to serve a public purpose to promote health, safety and welfare;
b. The City of Oakland Park meets the minimum open space requirement of 3 acres per 1,000 existing and projected permanent residents;
c. The proposed community facility or utility use is limited to no more than 5 acres and The City of Oakland Park demonstrates that sufficient and functional open space serving the area residents will be retained.