Lauren Pruss, AICP 

Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development

Peter Schwarz, AICP

Director of Community and Economic Development

Case #CD23-08T “Text Amendment to Amend the Land Development Code to include Sustainability and Resiliency provisions”

A Public Hearing to consider an ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Oakland Park, Florida; amending the City’s Land Development Code to address sustainability and resiliency, by specifically creating Subsections 24-3 (J) through (M) incorporating purposes that support sustainable development; and by specifically amending Subsection 24-68 entitled “Accessory Structures and Detached Buildings,” to include additional permitted sustainability items and creating Subsection 24-79.5 entitled “Wind Turbines” providing for specifications for permitted wind turbines within the city; and by specifically amending subsection 24-116 entitled “Minimum Open Space Requirements,” to permit certain sustainable features to count towards the open space requirement, and to amend subsection 24-119 entitled “On-Site Stormwater Runoff” to include natural water storage features; and by specifically creating Subsection 24-164 (B)(5) through (B)(6) entitled “Site Development Plan Contents”, to require the submittal of proposed sustainable development features; and by specifically amending Subsection 24-245 entitled “General Definitions,” to provide definitions for certain sustainable development features. 

Issue Statement: In 2019, the City adopted the Joint Climate Action Plan (CAP) along with the City of Wilton Manors in response the issue of climate change.  The following six goals were identified within the CAP:

• Clean Water and Sanitation:  Ensure access to safe water sources and sanitation for all citizens by continuing to make sustainable investments in the City’s water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
• Affordable and Clean Energy:  Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all City residents and businesses by continuing to work with electrical providers to provide an increased percentage of renewable and sustainable electrical energy and design, construct and maintain facilities, use of fleet and lighting with the most energy efficient systems, and provide onsite renewable energy systems and high efficiency or electrical vehicle purchases.
• Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make Oakland Park safe, resilient and sustainable by making smart and informed decisions on sustainable investments to better our residents’ quality of life.
• Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns by informing our residents of sustainable purchases, and proper ways to recycle.
• Climate Action: Take action to tackle climate change and its impacts by continuing to work locally and regionally on climate change initiatives, programs, and projects.
• Partnerships for the Goals:  Create partnerships for sustainable development by working with adjacent agencies, such as Wilton Manors, on our Joint Climate Action Plan Implementation, Broward County and other Broward County municipalities on countywide solid waste and recycling issues and the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact on regional mitigation, resiliency and adaptation to climate change.

Recommended Action: The Planning and Zoning Board hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to the City Commission to adopt the attached Ordinance amending the City’s Land Development Code by specifically creating Subsections 24-3 (J) through (M) incorporating purposes that support sustainable development; and by specifically amending Subsection 24-68 entitled “Accessory Structures and Detached Buildings,” to include additional permitted sustainability items and creating Subsection 24-79.5 entitled “Wind Turbines” providing for specifications for permitted wind turbines within the city; and by specifically amending subsection 24-116 entitled “Minimum Open Space Requirements,” to permit certain sustainable features to count towards the open space requirement, and to amend subsection 24-119 entitled “On-Site Stormwater Runoff” to include natural water storage features; and by specifically creating Subsection 24-164 (B)(5) through (B)(6) entitled “Site Development Plan Contents”, to require the submittal of proposed sustainable development features; and by specifically amending Subsection 24-245 entitled “General Definitions,” to provide definitions for certain sustainable development features. 

As part of implementing the CAP, staff recently conducted a review of the Land Development Code to determine areas that could be revised to address these goals, and the attached draft ordinance proposes the following amendments:

1. New Subsections 24-3 (J) through (M) will amend the Purpose and Intent Chapter to incorporate purposes that support sustainable development.

2. Subsection 24-68 entitled “Accessory Structures and Detached Buildings,” would be amended to include additional permitted sustainability items and the new Subsection 24-79.5 entitled “Wind Turbines” will provide specifications for permitted wind turbines within the city.

3. Subsection 24-116 entitled “Minimum Open Space Requirements,” will permit up to 25% of the area of green roofs features to count towards the open space requirement.

4. Subsection 24-119 entitled “On-Site Stormwater Runoff” encourages the use natural water storage features.

5. New Subsections 24-164 (B)(5) through (B)(6) entitled “Site Development Plan Contents," will require the submittal of a list of proposed sustainable development features, and require certain sustainability improvements for site development plan approval.

6. The General Definitions chapter, Subsection 24-245, would be revised to provide definitions for certain sustainable development features.