§ 102-21. Planning and Environmental Resources Department.

(a)

Duties. The Planning and Environmental Resources Department shall perform the planning and environmental functions for the county and shall provide technical support and guidance for action on applications for development approval and shall perform such other functions as may be requested by the BOCC or the Planning Commission.

(b)

Planning Director.  

(1)

Creation and appointment. There shall be a Planning and Environmental Resources Director, also referred to as the Planning Director, selected and approved by the Assistant County Administrator and the County Administrator, and the BOCC if desired.

(2)

Jurisdiction, authority and duties. In addition to the jurisdiction, authority and duties that may be conferred upon the Planning Director by other provisions of this Land Development Code, the Planning Director shall have the following jurisdiction, authority and duties:

a.

To serve as staff to the Planning Commission and to inform such body of all facts and information at his or her disposal with respect to applications for development approval or any other matters brought before it;

b.

To assist the BOCC and the Planning Commission in the review of the Comprehensive Plan, including the capital improvements program, the Land Development Code, and proposed amendments thereto;

c.

To maintain and update the future land use map and official land use (zoning) district map;

d.

To maintain development review files and other public records related to the department's affairs;

e.

To review, or cause to be reviewed, applications for major conditional use permits and plat approvals;

f.

To review and approve, approve with conditions, or deny applications for minor conditional use permits;

g.

To recommend amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code;

h.

To render interpretations of the Comprehensive Plan, the Land Development Code, or the boundaries of the official land use (zoning) district map and future land use map;

i.

To evaluate and act upon claims of nonconforming uses and structures;

j.

To work to coordinate all local, regional, state and federal environmental and other land development permitting processes affecting development in the county;

k.

To plan for and evaluate all transportation improvements for the county, and coordinate such activities with the Florida Department of Transportation;

l.

To issue letters of understanding and letters of development rights determination;

m.

To establish such rules of procedure necessary for the administration of his or her responsibilities under the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code; and

n.

Whenever requested to do so by the County Administrator or the BOCC, with the assistance of other county departments, to conduct or cause to be conducted surveys, investigations and studies, and to prepare or cause to be prepared such reports, maps, photographs, charts and exhibits as may be requested.

(c)

Development Review Committee.  

(1)

Creation and composition. As required for the items being reviewed, the Development Review Committee (DRC) shall be composed of the following members:

a.

The Planning Director or his or her designee;

b.

The Planning and Development Review Manager;

c.

The Comprehensive Planning Manager;

d.

The County Biologist;

e.

The planner and/or biologist in charge of the particular item being considered;

f.

Public works and engineering personnel, as needed based on the applications being reviewed;

g.

Health department personnel, as needed based on the applications being reviewed;

h.

The building official or his or her designee, as needed based on the applications being reviewed;

i.

Any other county employee or official designated by the County Administrator or the Planning Director;

j.

Representatives of any local, regional, state or federal agency that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the county for coordinated development review when appropriate; and

k.

A representative of the state land planning agency shall serve as an ex officio member of the DRC as long as the county is located within an area of critical state concern.

(2)

Development review committee meetings.

a.

The DRC shall meet at least once a month unless there is no item for the agenda:

1.

Review scheduled applications for development approval as required by this Land Development Code and provide comments on such applications to the Planning Director and the applicant.

2.

Review scheduled applications for amendments to the text of the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code and provide comments on such applications to the Planning Director and the applicant.

3.

Review scheduled applications for amendments to the future land use map and official land use (zoning) district map and provide comments on such applications to the Planning Director and the applicant.

b.

The Planning Director, or his or her designee, shall serve as chair of the DRC and the Planning Director or his or her designee shall maintain such minutes and records as are required by state law.

c.

Any action reviewing an application shall not preclude the applicant's right to be present when his or her project is discussed before this body.

d.

Staff reports on applications prepared by staff from the Planning and Environmental Resources Department shall be given to the Planning Director and the applicant.

e.

Staff reports on applications prepared by DRC members not in the Planning and Environmental Resources Department may be provided to the other members of the DRC, the Planning Director, and the applicant.

f.

A resolution and staff report, considering DRC recommendations and other relevant information shall be prepared after the DRC meeting for those items proceeding to the Planning Commission.

( Ord. No. 006-2016 , § 1(Exh. 1), 4-13-2016)