Issue Statement: Florida Statutes require the City update the Water Supply Facilities Work Plan of the City’s Comprehensive Plan to provide consistency between the City’s plan and the South Florida Management District (SFWMD) 2018 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Update.
Recommended Action: City Commission conduct a public hearing and adopt the proposed Ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan in relation to the 2020 update of the 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan on First Reading for transmittal to the State of Florida agencies required to conduct their reviews before Second Reading.
The Planning and Zoning Board voted 5-0 to recommend approval at its June 15, 2020 public hearing.
The Local Planning Agency voted 5-0 to recommend approval at its July 16, 2020 public hearing.
Summary: In 2005, the Florida Legislature changed Chapters 163 and 373, Florida Statutes, to improve the coordination of water supply and land use planning. Senate Bills 360 and 444 strengthened the statutory linkage between the regional water supply plans prepared by the water management districts and comprehensive plans prepared by the local governments. Implementation of the new water supply planning requirements will ensure that adequate water supplies and public facilities are available to serve the water supply demands of Florida’s growing population.
On November 8th, 2018, the SFWMD’s Governing Board adopted the Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Update. This required all local governments to adopt updated Work Plans by way of a Comprehensive Plan amendment within 18 months of Governing Board approval of the Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan. Updated Work Plans in the Lower East Coast are to be updated this year and must include a minimum 10-year planning period.
Frequently asked questions on “How and Why to Update a Water Supply Facilities Work Plan” as provided by the SFWMD
Why update the Water Supply Facilities Work Plan (Work Plan)?
• Ensure adequate water supply for current and future residents,
• Strengthen City’s position to compete for funding assistance,
• Plan for alternative sources that take time to develop and finance — easy, inexpensive water sources are becoming harder to find,
• Ensure local needs are considered by regional water suppliers and the SFWMD, and
• Meet statutory requirements (Florida Statutes).
How is the Work Plan updated?
• As a comprehensive plan amendment, pursuant to Chapter 163, F.S., under the “Expedited State Review Process”
• Must be incorporated into the comprehensive plan in one of three ways:
1) By reference into the comprehensive plan,
2) As a separate element or sub-element, or
3) Incorporating the required information within separate elements.
• Can be combined and submitted along with other comprehensive plan amendments
Who prepares the update?
• Each local government, including those that obtain their water from another local government or utility, such as the City of Oakland Park
When are the updated comprehensive plan amendments due?
• 18 months after the applicable Regional Water Supply Plan is adopted by the SFWMD
What is included in the update?
• Population estimates and projections,
• Projections of future water demand,
• An identification of viable water sources to meet those demand,
• Capital improvement needs to meet future demands,
• Conservation efforts,
• Planning timeframes, and
• Changes since the Work Plan was adopted in 2015 such as service provider, service area, planned facilities, water suppliers, water users, level of service standards, etc.