Local Planning Agency discussion and/or action Re: An Ordinance of the City of Sunrise, Florida, amending Chapter 16 “Land Development Code” Article VII “Off-Street Parking and Loading” by amending Section 16-142 “Location, Character and Size” to provide for provisions for private roadway, access drive, and parking lot safety standards; providing for conflict; providing for severability; providing for inclusion in the city code; and providing for an effective date. City Manager Mark Lubelski. Shannon Ley, Director of Community Development. 

Pursuant to Chapter 163.3174(4)(c), Florida Statutes, the City Commission (acting as the Local Planning Agency) is required to hold a duly advertised public hearing in order to review and make recommendations to the governing body as to the consistency of a proposed amendment to the City's Land Development Code with the adopted Comprehensive Plan.  There is not an anticipated increased financial impact on the cost of residential housing as a result of the proposed Land Development Code revision.

The City of Sunrise Commission has expressed an interest in adopting additional safety standards for vehicular circulation within private roadways, access drives and parking lots, including those adjacent to water bodies. The desire to provide additional protection for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists alike has been driven by a number of incidents that have resulted in vehicles entering a water body along a private roadway and parking areas. City staff have evaluated current City code requirements, as well as potential standards, and have prepared the proposed Land Development Code amendment.

The proposed Land Development Code amendment provides for safety standards for private roadways, access drives, and parking lots. The proposed amendment more specifically will:

• Require all new development and significant redevelopment comply with a higher safety standard for private roadways, access drives, and parking lots similar to that of public roadways.
• Require property owners with a documented history of run-off pavement crashes or evidence of vehicle encroachments beyond the pavement areas to hire a Florida licensed Professional Engineer to perform an analysis of such crashes or encroachments and identify improvements to mitigate. The property owner is responsible for constructing recommended improvements within 60 days from the completion of the Engineer's report.
• Provide for code enforcement through the Special Magistrate for noncompliance.

The proposed Land Development Code amendment is consistent with the Goals, Objectives and Policies of the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan and necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare of the City’s residents.

Staff recommends adoption of the proposed Land Development Code amendment.

For more information on this item, please contact the Community Development Department staff member identified below.