2009-R-03
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-R-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF EDGEWATER, FLORIDA, RECOMENDING CERTAIN
CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE
VOLUSIA COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT
COMMISSION (VGMC) AS SETFORTH HEREIN AND
REPEALING RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND APPLICABILITY
AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the V olusia County Growth Management Commission (VGMC) was
created in 1986 by referendum approving an amendment to the V olusia County Charter.
WHEREAS, the V olusia County Charter provides that the purpose of the VGMC is to
determine the consistency of the municipalities' and the county's comprehensive plans.
WHEREAS, the ordinance adopted in 1987 by the V olusia County Council establishing
the rules of procedure for the VGMC states that the main purpose of the VGMC is to provide an
effective means for coordinating the plans of municipalities and the County by providing a forum
for the local governments to cooperate with each other in coordinating the provisions of their
respective comprehensive plans.
WHEREAS, based on the language of the County Charter and the County Code of
Ordinances it is clear that the VGMC was intended to be a forum through which local
governments could try to resolve claims of inconsistency between comprehensive plans and if no
resolution can be reached, the VGMC would make a final determination as to consistency.
WHEREAS, local governments have the statutory right pursuant to the Growth
Management Act to determine the future growth for their respective jurisdictions through the
adoption and amending of their comprehensive plans, which the law views as the local
government exercising it legislative authority. Legislative action is not overturned by a Court
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2009-R-03
unless the local government clearly abuses its discretion.
WHEREAS, under the existing VGMC rules, the adopting local government has the
burden of proving that the comprehensive plan amendment is consistent with the comprehensive
plans of adjacent local governments thereby shifting the burden of proof that exists in a court of
law. Furthermore "consistency" is defined as compatible with and in furtherance of adjacent
comprehensive plans. A plan amendment can be consistent with an adjacent local governments'
comprehensive plan even though it does not further the goals and objectives of said
comprehensive plans.
WHEREAS, the City is concerned that the VGMC is exceeding the purpose for which
the VGMC was created by: (1) reviewing comprehensive plan amendments when no dispute as
to consistency exists between local governmental entities; (2) not limiting its review to issues
that deal with the consistency between the proposed comprehensive plan amendment and the
adjacent local governments' comprehensive plans; (3) placing conditions on findings of
consistency which are basically site planning criteria, such as building height, density and
setback; (4) placing conditions on findings of consistency for comprehensive plans and plan
amendments requiring future VGMC review of rezonings and other development orders, which
is not within the purview of VGMC's charter role; (5) granting party status to individuals who
are not local governmental entities nor the owner of the property that the amendment to the
future land use map is directly applicable.
WHEREAS, if allowed to continue to exceed the purpose for which it was created, the
City is concerned that the VGMC could effectively become a county-wide planning board,
thereby divesting local governments of their planning authority as set forth in the Growth
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2009-R-03
Management Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Edgewater, Florida;
Section 1.
The above WHEREAS are hereby incorporated as of specifically asserted
herein.
Section 2. To assure that the VGMC operates within the parameters of its original
purpose, there are certain fundamental principles that should be adhered to, which are:
(1) The VGMC's jurisdiction should be limited to determining whether a
comprehensive plan amendment is consistent with adjacent jurisdictions' comprehensive plans
when the adopting and objecting local governments are unable to resolve the dispute.
(2) A plan amendment should be presumed consistent and the objecting local
government has the burden of proving, by clear and convincing evidence, that the plan
amendment is inconsistent.
(3) Only a local governmental entity has the authority to file an objection for lack
of consistency thereby triggering the VGMC involvement. The VGMC should not review any
comprehensive plan amendment until an objection is filed.
(4) The timeframes within which the VGMC operates must be consistent with the
timeframes set forth in the Growth Management Act for the adoption of comprehensive plan
amendments.
(5) Only the applicant jurisdiction, adjacent jurisdictions and the property owner
(or contract purchaser of subject property) that the future land use map amendment is applicable
shall be granted party status in a hearing before the VGMC and the right to appeal VGMC
decisions. All other individuals shall be allowed to participate pursuant to the Sunshine Law
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2009-R-03
without the right of appeal.
(6) The members appointed to the VGMC should not cause a violation of the dual
office holding and should serve at the pleasure of the appointing local government.
(7) A plan amendment should only be found inconsistent with an adjacent local
government's comprehensive plan if the amendment results in the adjacent local government
being out of concurrency or compliance with its comprehensive plan.
(8) VGMC should not evaluate or make determinations on proposed rezonings
and other proposed development permits as defined in Section 163.3164(7), Florida Statutes and
should not impose as a condition of issuance of a certificate of consistency on a proposed
comprehensive plan or comprehensive plan amendment the requirement that a subsequent
proposed rezoning or other proposed development permit be evaluated or reviewed by the
VGMC.
(9) VGMC should not evaluate or make consistency determinations on whether a
proposed comprehensive plan amendment is consistent with the comprehensive plan of the
applicant jurisdiction, since such is the role of the governing body of the applicant jurisdiction.
Section 3. The City Council of the City of Edgewater, Florida hereby recommends
that Volusia County Council adopt the attached revised rules of procedure for the VGMC.
Section 4. All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith be and same are
hereby repealed.
Section 5.
If any portion of this resolution is for any reason held or declared to be
unconstitutional, inoperative, or void, such holding shall not affect the remaining portions of this
resolution. If this resolution or any provisions thereof shall be held to be inapplicable to any
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2009-R-03
person, property, or circumstances, such holding shall not affect its applicability to any other
person, property, or circumstance.
Section 6.
The effective date ofthis Resolution shall be upon adoption.
After Motion for approval by (~IJrv::1 JlkwMnnR\-1orie c:: and Second Crwv\; IlM)mMI ~nr\~~n.
the vote on this resolution was as follows:
AYE
NAY
Councilman Ted Cooper
'X
)(
X
~
X
Mayor Mike Thomas
Councilwoman Debra J. Rogers
Councilwoman Gigi Bennington
Councilwoman Harriet B. Rhodes
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 17th day of February, 2009.
bNlQ,lllo~Q
Bo~nie Wenz,el
City Clerk ' .
,,'-' " .\ .
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
~mDA
By . ~
Mike Tomas
Mayor
ATTEST:
...
:-
"
~~~I'j;',kl
Robin L. Matusick
Paralegal
/'-
':..,..
'.~:~(., l!~~ ~. .,;'./'
For the use and reliance only by the City of
Edgewater, Florida. Approved as to form and
legality by: Carolyn S. Ansay, Esquire
City Attorney
Doran, W oIre, Ansay & Kundid
Approved by the City Council of the City of
Edgewater at a meeting held on this 17th day
of February, 2009 under Agenda Item No.
7l;L.
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2009-R-03
ARTICLE II. GROWTH MANAGEMENT COMMISSION CONSISTENCY
CERTIFICATION RULES
Sec. 90-31. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Adjacent jurisdiction means a local government whose territorial boundaries are physically
contiguous to territorial boundaries of the land to be affeoted by a comprehensive plan or
amendment thereto for ',vhioh an applicant jurisdiction that has applied to the commission for a
certification or certificate. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, which requires the
commission to publish notice of receipt of an application pursuant to section 90-35( c), an
adjacent jurisdiction, as defined in this subsection, shall have 40 days after receipt of an
application by the commission to file any objections or comments on or request that a public
hearing be held to consider an application.
Applicant jurisdiction means a local government which has applied to the commission for a
certification or certificate regarding a comprehensive plan or amendment thereto.
Area and area of jurisdiction mean the total area qualifying under the provisions of F.S. ~
163.3171, as amended from time to time, whether this be all of the lands lying within the limits
of an incorporated municipality, lands in and adjacent to an incorporated municipality,
unincorporated lands within the county, or areas comprising combinations of lands in
incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas of the county.
Certification and certificate mean a f-ormalletter, resolution or other written document from-ef
the commission determining consistency or inconsistency of a comprehensive plan, element,
plan amendment or portion thereof with other applicable plans.
Charter means the county Home Rule Charter, as amended.
Commission means the Volusia Growth Management Commission, a governmental entity
created by the Charter.
Comprehensive plan means a plan that meets or is intended to meet the requirements of F.s. ~~
163.3177 and 163.3178.
Large scale comprehensive plan amendment means any plan amendment that reqUIres a
transmittal and adoption hearing and does not qualify for adoption pursuant to F .S. ~
163.3187(1)(c) as amended from time to time.
Small scale comprehensive plan amendment means any plan amendment that only requires an
adoption hearing and qualifies for adoption pursuant to F.S. ~ 163.3187(1)(c) as amended from
time to time.
I
(Ord. No. 87-24, ~ 2, 7-23-87; Ord. No. 92-87, ~ 1, 10-8-92; Ord. No. 93-13, ~ 1,5-20-93; Ord.
No. 2007-05, ~ 1,2-22-07)
Cross references: Definitions and rules of construction generally, ~ 1-2.
Sec. 90-32. Interpretation of article.
In the interpretation and application of this article, all provisions shall be:
( 1 ) Considered as minimHm reqHirements;
(2) Liberally oonstrued in favor of the oommission; and
(l~) Deemed not to limit or repeal any other powers granted by other state statutes, the
Charter, county ordinances or commission resolutions: and
(2) Interpreted in a manner consistent with Section 202.3 of the V olusia County Charter and
the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act
(F.S. & 163.3161 et seq.).
(Ord. No. 87-24, ~ 14, 7-23-87)
Sec. 90-33. Findings, purpose and intent.
In adopting this article, the county council makes and expresses the following findings, purpose
and intent:
(1) In accordance with section 1303 of the county Charter, the 1985-1986 county Charter
review commission was formed to prepare necessary amendments to the Charter.
(2) In consideration of the rapid growth of the county in recent years and the adoption of
landmark comprehensive planning legislation in the state, the Charter review commission
determined that growth management was a top priority among its objectives.
(3) As a result of information, evidence and testimony received at numerous public meetings
and hearings, the Charter review commission proposed the creation of the V olusia
Growth Management Commission to determine the consistency of the municipalities' and
the county's comprehensive plans and any amendments thereto with each other.
(4) The citizens of the county voted at a referendum held on November 4, 1986, to adopt
Charter amendments creating the commission and granting certain powers to the
commiSSion.
(5) The main purpose of the commission is to provide an effective means for coordinating
the plans of municipalities and the county, in order to provide a forum for the several
local governments in the county to cooperate with each other in coordinating the
provision of public services to and improvements for the citizens of the county, and
create incentives to foster intergovernmental cooperation and coordination.
(6) The commission held an organizational meeting on February 25, 1987, and then, through
its committee on growth management related issues, duly noticed and held further public
hearings on May 18, 1987, and May 21, 1987, and held commission hearings on June 10,
1987, and June 24, 1987, to develop rules of procedure for and enforcement of the
commission's consistency review within the time provided for under the Charter
amendment.
(7) On June 24, 1987, the commission adopted Resolution No. 87-5, which recommended
that county council adopt this article, which contains the rules of procedure for
consistency review and enforcement as required by the Charter amendment.
(Ord. No. 87-24, S 1, 7-23-87)
Sec. 90-34. Certificate of plan consistency required.
A certificate of consistency is hereby established. No comprehensive plan, element of a
comprehensive plan or amendment of a comprehensive plan adopted after November 4, 1986,
shall be valid or effective unless and until such comprehensive plan, element of a comprehensive
plan or amendment has been reviewed by the commission and has been certified consistent in
accordance with this article. This certificate of consistency will be required in addition to any
other necessary licenses, permits and/or approvals applicable to land development;< however. in
the event that the commission does not timelv hold a hearing or reach a formal determination
regarding consistency within the time period provided in this article. the application shall be
deemed approved and no certificate of consistency shall be required.
(Ord. No. 87-24, S 3, 7-23-87)
Sec. 90-35. Application for certificate; procedure for issuance; public hearing
requirements.
(a)
After November 4, 1986, all local governments who desire to adopt or amend a
comprehensive plan or element or amendment thereof shall, in accordance with this
article, shall submit an application on forms as the commission may prescribe, and shall
submit such information as the commission may required by this article. The commission
may require such local goyemment to submit any additional information reasonably
necessary for proper evaluation of the application.
I (b)
.'\.n applicant jurisdiction shall, at a minimum, submit the following information and
documents with any application filed with the commission:
(I) Information required by rule or order of the eommission, which shall include, at a
minimum, a detailed inquiry into:
a. The extent to 'whioh any plan, element, or plan amendment submitted
proposes ta ereate adjaoent, ineompatible land uses and the manner in
whieh the adverse impaot €If these inoompatible Hses may be eliminated or
mitigated; and
b. The extent to whioh any plan, element, or plan amendm.ent proposes
polioies and/or physioal improvements '.vhioh may adversely impaot the
objeotive of promoting the ooordination of infrastruoture affeoting more
than one area of jHrisdiotion.
~ill The applicant jurisdiction shall submit five (5) copies of an application and its
required supporting documentation with the commission's administrative staff.
An application shall, at a minimum, _contain the following information,;,---m
addition to that required in subseotion (b)( 1) of this section:
(1) The proposed comprehensive plan or plan amendment:
(2) All documentation considered or to be considered by the applicant
jurisdiction concerning the proposed comprehensive plan or plan amendment: and
aQ} The applioation shall contain aA list of all adjacent
jurisdictionsgovernments and units of looal government.
b. For eaoh entity listed in subseotion (b )(2)a of this seotion, the applioation
shall indicate the follo'Ning:
1. Existing ooordination meohanisms used in preparation of the plan,
element, or plan amendment being submitted.
2. Any reoommendations oontained in the proposed plan, element, or
plan amendment whioh affeot the plans f{)r laRd use or
infrastruotHre oontained in the plans of adjaoent local governments
within the oounty.
3. The faots supporting the recommendations oontained in subsection
(b)(2)b.2 of this seotion and the identification of reoommended
measures which may be used to mitigate or eliminate any ad'lerse
impacts resulting from these reoommendations.
1. Identifioation of specifio problems and needs within the
oomprehensive plans of said adjacent governments \vhioh would
benefit from improved or additional intergovernmental
ooordination, and reeommended solutions for resolving these
potential problems and needs.
(c) The commission shall process all applications and shall cause pHblio notice of receipt of
all applications to be given as provided in this article. When the commission receives an
application for approval of a comprehensive plan or amendment thereto, its
administrative staff shall date-stamp the application and send a dated cover letter and a
notice of the application to all adjacent jurisdictions, to all members of the commission,
and to such other persons and in such other manner as may be prescribed by the
commission. The administrative staff shall also send a copy of the application to the
commission's professional staff", and, ',vi thin teR days of receipt, shall cause notice of
receipt of the applicatioR to be published one time only in a newspaper of general
circulation in the county. Such notice shall be in substantially the form provided below:
.!I!.tt
'10LUSL^.
VOLUSIf.
COMMISSION
GROWTH
COUNTY
M.^.NAGEMENT
Notice of j\pplication
(1) The type of application (e.g., adoption of or amendment to a comprehensi'le plan);
(2) .^. description and location of the subject matter or acth'ity covered by the action, and the
commission's case number, and the name and address of any person at the applicant
jurisdiction to whom comments should be directed;
(3) Complete copies of the application and accompanying material are available for public
inspection at the commission's offices at (commission's address);
(4) The notice shall contain paragraphs which read substantially as f{)llows:
a. f.ny substantially affected or aggrieved party shall ha'le a right pursuant to the V olusia
Growth Management Commission CompreheRsive Plan Consistency Certification Rules
to petition for a public hearing on the application. The petition must contain the
information set forth below and must be filed (received) in the commission's office at the
address set f{)rth above within 21 days of publication of this notice. A copy of the petition
must also be mailed at the time of filing ',vith the commission to (the persons named
above in item (2) at the address indicated).
b. Failure to file a petition ',vithin 21 days constitutes a waiver of any right any person may
have to a public hearing pursuant to the Volusia Grovf'th Management Commission
Comprehensive Plan Consistency Certification Rules and to participate as a substantially
affected or aggrieved party. Any subsequent intervention will only be as allowed
pursuant to section 7 of the V olusia Grovith Management Commission Comprehensh'6
Plan ConsisteRcy Certification Rules.
c. The petitioR shall contain the following iRformation:
I. The name, address and telephone 8l:unber of each petitioner; the eammission's ease
number and the location of the proposed activity;
n. A statement of hovl and when eaeh petitioner received notioe of the application;
Ill. A statement of ho',\' each petitioner's substantial interests are affected by the proposed
application;
IV. /\. statement of the material facts disputed by petitioner, ifany;
Y. A statemeBt ofwhicR rules require denial of the application; and
VI. .^~ statement of relief s01:lght by petitioner, stating precisely the aotion petitioner wants the
commission to take with respect to the pending application.
ll.!I!.
(d) Fi'le copies of each application and supporting documents shall be filed with the
commission's administrative staff.
(eQ) All applications received by the commission shall be processed and all determinations of
consistency shall be made as provided in this subsection.:. unless a public hearing is held
on an application. If the commission holds a p1:lblic hearing on an application as allowed
pursuant to this subsection, the commission shall determine consistency pursuant to the
criteria provided in section 90 37.
(1) Sufficiency Rreview by commission's professional staff.
a. Within 10 days after receipt of an application. the commission's
professional staff shall perform a sufficiency review of the application to
determine whether the application is complete in accordance with requirements of
subsection (b) and shall notify the applicant jurisdiction in writing of any apparent
errors and omissions in the application and request correction thereof. Unless
within 10 days after receipt of an application the commission's professional staff
notifies the applicant jurisdiction in writing that the application is not complete.
the application shall be deemed complete on the 10th day after receipt of an
application.
Within 30 days after receipt of an application, the oommission's professional staff
shall examine the application; determine whether any adjaoent j1:lrisdiotion or any
other person, inoluding a substantially affeoted or aggrieved party as defined in
this article, has commented or req1:lested a p1:lblio hearing, notify the applicant
jurisdictioFl of any apparent errors or omissions;
(2) Requests by adjacent jurisdictions. Within 30 days after receipt of the application
by the commission. any adjacent jurisdiction may:
a. Request a public hearing on the application in writing. The written public
hearing request shall include a specific explanation of the adiacent iurisdiction's
position for why the application does not meet the consistency criteria of section
90-37 and supporting documentation for such position: or
b. Request. in writing and submitted to the commission chairman. a 21-day
extension of time to request a public hearing and comment on the application. The
commission chairman shall grant one such 21-day extension requested by an
adiacent iurisdiction as a matter of right. However. the commission chairman
shall not grant any further extensions of time for any adiacent iurisdiction to
request a public hearing and comment on any pending application. A request for
an extension of time shall toll all time periods provided in subsection 90-95( e ).
(3) Certification without public hearing request. If no request for a public hearing is
timely made by an adiacent iurisdiction pursuant to subsection (d)(2). the application
shall be deemed certified as consistent with the criteria set forth in section 90-37 and the
commission chairman shall. within 7 days after the expiration of the period of time for
adiacent iurisdictions to request a public hearing. issue a letter to the applicant
iurisdiction stating that the application has been deemed consistent.
(4) Commission's professional staff evaluation. If a request for a public hearing is
timely made pursuant to subsection (d)(2) by one or more adiacent iurisdictions. the
commission's professional staff shall thereafter evaluate the application for consistency
with the criteria set forth in section 90-37 and make a recommendation to the commission
on whether the application should or should not be issued a certificate of consistency.
The commission's professional staffs evaluation and recommendation to the commission
shall be limited to the issues raised by the challenging adiacent iurisdictions in their
public hearing request pursuant to subsection (d)(2). The commission's professional
staffs evaluation and recommendation concerning the application shall be completed and
copies thereof sent to the applicant iurisdiction. adiacent iurisdictions and commission at
least 15 days prior to the public hearing on the application. reql:lest any additional
information pertinent to the application; and determine whether the applicant jl:lrisdiotion
has addressed the conditions of approval of past commission resoll:ltions and whether the
application meets the consistenoy test as set forth in this artiole .
If during the commission's professional staffs evaluation of the application it needs
additional information to review the application, a single. written request for additional
information (RAn may be sent to the applicant iurisdiction any time between the 31 st and
40th day from the receipt of the application if a public hearing was timely requested by an
adiacent iurisdiction. A timely issued RAI by the commission's professional staff shall
toll the running of the time provided by this article for the commission to act on the
application: An applieant jurisdiotion's failure to sl:lpply additional inf-ormation shall not
be groullds f-or denial of eertifieation uFlless the eommission's professional staff timely
reql:lests the additioBal information from the applioant jl:lrisdietion in writing within 30
days after the commission reeeives the application. and shall be subiect to the following:
(i) To be valid and toll the running of time for the commission to act
on the application. a request for additional information (RAn must
be issued by the commission's professional staff in writing and
delivered by hand delivery. U.S. Mail. or courier service to the
applicant jurisdiction. A RAI shall be issued for information
gathering purposes only. reasonably identify the information
sought. related to the specific application to which the RAI is
directed and shall be related only to the issues raised by the
adjacent jurisdictions in their public hearing request pursuant to
subsection (d)(2).
(m Within 7 days of receiving additional information submitted by the
applicant jurisdiction in response to a RAt the commission's
professional staff shall review such information and may either
deem the RAI satisfied or request in writing information needed to
clarify such additional information or to answer new questions
raised by. or related to. such information: provided that if the
commission's professional staff does not issue a written request to
the applicant jurisdiction within 7 days after receiving additional
information submitted by the applicant jurisdiction. the RAI shall
be deemed satisfied.
(iii) In the event the RAI is not satisfied within thirty (30) days from
the issuance of the RAt the tolling of time caused by the issuance
of the RAI shall cease and the application shall proceed to public
hearing. The application may receive a recommendation of denial
from the commission's professional staff if the RAI is not timely
satisfied and the unsatisfied RAI is pertinent to the commission's
consistency determination.
(iv) The applicant jurisdiction shall. upon request be granted
administratively by the commission chairman a thirty (30) day
extension of the thirty (30) day RAI response period. In addition.
upon request of the applicant jurisdiction. the commission by vote
of its commission members may grant the applicant jurisdiction an
additional extension of the RAI response period for up to sixty (60)
days upon good cause shown. Such extensions if granted shall
continue to toll the running of the time provided by this article for
the commission to act on the application.
(v) If the applicant jurisdiction gives written notice to the
commission's professional staff that no further information will be
provided in response to the RAt the tolling of time caused by the
issuance of the RAI shall cease upon receipt of said notice.
(vi) Submittal of additional information bv the applicant jurisdiction or
notice from the applicant that no further information will be
provided shall be made in writing and delivered by hand delivery,
U.S. Mail. or courier service to the commission's coordinator's
official office street address.
b. If the commission's professional staff determines that the applicant
jurisdietion has not addressed the conditions of appro';al of outstanding
commission resolHtions, the commission shall hold a pHblic hearing.
c. If the commission's professional staff determines that an application may
be ineonsistent under the test set forth in section 90 37, the commission
shall hold a public hearing.
d. [Reserved.]
(2) Within 30 days after receipt of the application by the eommission, any adjacent
jurisdietion may:
a. Submit 'Nritten comments regarding the merits or the sufficiency to the
eommission regarding the application;
b. Request a public hearing; or
c. Request, for good cause shown in wntmg and submitted to the
commission chairman, one 21 da)' extension of time to comment on the
application. d. The commission chairman shall grant one such 21 day
extension requested by an adjaeent jurisdiction as a matter of right.
However, the commission chairman shall not grant any further extensions
of time f-or any adjacent jurisdiction to eomment on any pending
application. 1'1 request for an extension of time shall toll all time periods
provided in this subsection.
(J~ Public hearing. When the application is complete and a public hearing is
requested by the pursuant to subsection (eillill of this section ef--by an adjacent
jurisdiction or a substantially affected or aggrieved party, the commission shall
hold a public hearing on the application within 60 days after the public hearing is
requested but no more than 90 days from the date of receipt of the application not
including any tolled time. At any public hearing held by the commission to
determine whether the adoption of a comprehensive plan or amendment thereto is
consistent the commission shall comply with the criteria of section 90-37. The
scope of the public hearing shall be limited to those issues raised by the adjacent
jurisdictions in their written public hearing requests made pursuant to subsection
(Ql(21
(4Q) Unless a public hearing is otherwise required pursuant to this article, nNo public
hearing shall be held on any application received by the commission unless timely
requested by the staff, by an adjacent jurisdiction or by a substantially affected or
aggrieved party. If no public hearing is timely requested by any adjacent
jurisdiction, it shall be presumed that all adjacent jurisdictions approved the
adoption of or amendment to the comprehensive plan of the applicant jurisdiction
and the application shall be deemed certified as consistent with the criteria under
section 90-37. If at any time prior to a public hearing all adiacent iurisdictions
that timely requested a public hearing withdrawal their request for a public
hearing, no public hearing shall be held on the application and the application
shall be deemed consistent with the criteria of Section 90-37.
(~1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the submission of relevant
evidence to the commission at any time up to and including a public hearing
ealled-held by the commission pursuant to this article. To be admissible, evidence
submitted shall be relevant to the issues raised by an adiacent iurisdiction in a
public hearing request made pursuant to subsection (d)(2).
(8) If a public hearing is held, during the public hearing the commission may permit
members of the public to speak or submit written comments related to the issues
raised by an adiacent iurisdiction in a written public hearing request made
pursuant to subsection (d)(2): provided however, such participation shall not give
party status to members of the public nor give the right to contest the issuance,
denial or revocation of a certificate of consistency.
(f) Nothing contained in this article shall preclude the concurrent processing of applications
for certification and the state's related review pursuant to the Local Government
Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act (F.S. ~ 163.3161 et
seq.), as amended from time to time. For large scale comprehensive plan amendments the
application for certification by the commission shall be submitted to the commission
simultaneously with, or prior to, transmittal of a proposed plan amendment to the Florida
Department of Community Affairs (DCA). For small scale comprehensive plan
amendments the application shall be submitted by the local goyernmentapplicant
iurisdiction concurrent with the forwarding of the recommendations of the local planning
agency to the local governing body pursuant to F.S. ~ 163.3174(4)(a) as amended from
time to time. The commission shall have 30 days from receipt of any such application to
make comments to the applicast local government and the DC.A~. The commission
certification shall be a prerequisite to any final public hearing on a comprehensive plan
amendment by the applicant iurisdiction. local government. The applicant local
government's response shall be to both the commission and DC:\. and shall occur
simultaneous ","ith or prior to the applicant local government's response to the objections,
recommendations and eomments report by the DCf~ for the comprehensive plan
amendment, if applicable.
(g) Every application shall be approved, conditionally approyed, or denied within 90 days
after the date of receipt by the commission, not including any time that may have been
tolled or extended pursuant to the RAI provisions of subsection (d)( 4) and the \inless one
21-day extension is requested and granted as provided in this sectionprovisions of (d)(2)
of this section. Any application which is not approved, conditionally approved or denied
within such time period set forth in this section, or within +five (5} days after conclusion
of a public hearing held on the application, whichever is later, shall be deemed approved
and shall not require a certificate of consistency. The commission does not have the
authority to impose conditions of approval on any application. For e'/ef)' conditional
approval, the applicant local government shall comply with the requirements set forth in
the conditional approval including, b\it not limited to, incorporating into the proposed
comprehensive plan amendment referenced in the application those ohanges
recommended by the commission. Failure to incorporate the commission's recommended
changes shall result in automatic revocation of the oertifioate thereby rendering both the
application and the proposed oomprehensive plan amendment of the applicant local
government invalid and ineffective. For those conditional approvals granted prior to the
effective date of this ordinance, revocation where provided shall occur in accordance
with the terms of the resol\ition of certification. Continuances of applications and
hearings may be granted by the commission upon a waiver by the applicant jurisdiction
of the 90-day period referred to in this subsection.
(h) Within 30 days after final adoption pursuant to state law of any plan, element, or plan
amendment previously certified by the commission, the local government adopting said
plan, element, or plan amendment shall transmit a true and correct copy of said plan,
element, or plan amendment to the commission.
(i) The time periods set forth in this article for the commISSIon to take action on an
application are iurisdictional in nature.
(Ord. No. 87-24, ~ 4, 7-23-87; Ord. No. 89-39, ~ 1,9-7-89; Ord. No. 91-39, ~ 1, 11-21-91; Ord.
No. 92-87, ~ 2, 10-8-92; Ord. No. 93-13, ~ 2, 5-20-93; Ord. No. 98-17, ~ I, 9-3-98; Ord. No. 99-
16, ~~ 1--3,5-13-99; Ord. No. 2007-05, ~ 11,2-22-07)
See, 90-36. Consultation with commission regarding application for certificate.
The applicant or his representative may consult with the staff of the commission concerning the
application for certificate under this article. However, any representation by the staff of the
commission shall not relieve any person of any requirement of applicable special acts, general
laws, articles, the Charter, this article or any other commission rules, regulations or standards, or
constitute approval, express or implied.
(Ord. No. 87-24, ~ 5, 7-23-87)
Sec. 90-37. Criteria for issuance of certificate.
(a) Consistency shall be determined and a certificate shall be issaed to the aflplicant, upon
suea eonditions as the commission may direct, if the aflplioant affirmatively provides the
commission '.'lith reasonable assurance based apon oompetent, substantial evidenee that
the propesed plan, element, or plan amendment is consistent with the eomprehensive
plans of (a) all other local governments whioh are adjacent to the land to be affeoted by
the applioant's proposed plan, element, or plan amendment, and (b) all other substantially
affected and aggrieved looal governments '.'lhose substantial interests are or will be
aff-eoted by issHance of the oertificate. There is a rebuttable presumption that the
applicant iurisdiction's proposed comprehensive plan. element or plan amendment is
consistent with the criteria for issuance of a certificate of consistency. The burden of
proofis on the party challenging the applicant iurisdiction's application to show by clear
and convincing evidence that the application is not consistent with the comprehensive
plans of adiacent iurisdictions that are affected by the applicant's proposed
comprehensive plan. element. or plan amendment.
(b) For the purpose of subsection (a) of this section, a plan, element, or plan amendment shall
be consistent if it is compatible with and in farthemnce of sHch affected adjacent aHd
substantiallyiurisdictions' aff-ected comprehensive plans when all such plans are
construed as a whole and no specific goal and policy shall be construed or applied in
isolation from the other goals and polices in the plans. For purposes of this section, the
phrase "compatible with" means that the plan, element, or plan amendment is not in
conflict with such adjacent and substantially affected adiacent iurisdictions'
comprehensive plans and does not. The phrase "in furtheraRce or' means to take aotion in
the direction of realizing the goals or policies of suoh adjacent and sabstantially affected
eomprehensive plans. IR addition to such requirements, consistency shall not be deemed
to exist if the commission affirmatively determines that the plan, element, or plan
amendment adversely affects intergovernmental cooperation and coordination.
(c) In determining whether a plan, element, or plan amendment adversely affects
intergo'lernmental eoopemtion and eeordinationis compatible with affected adiacent
iurisdictions' comprehensive plans, the commission may_, in its sole discretion, shall
consider one or more of the following factors to the extent relevant to an obiection raised
by an adiacent iurisdiction:
(1) The extent to which the plan, element, or plan amendment provides for areawide
or central utility service solutions;
(2) The extent to which the plan, element, or plan amendment provides for areawide
or regional transportation solutions;
(3) The extent to which the plan, element, or plan amendment causes or may
reasonably be anticipated to cause significant adverse impacts on infrastructure
beyond the boundaries of one jurisdiction;
(4) The extent to which the plan, element, or plan amendment causes or may
reasonably be anticipated to cause significant adverse impacts on natural
resources which extend beyond the boundaries of one jurisdiction;
(5) The extent to which the plan, element, or plan amendment provides for the
coordination of the timing and location of capital improvements in a manner to
reduce duplication and competition; and
(6) The existence of an agreement among all substantially affected adiacent
iurisdictions local governments, substantially affected parties (if any) and the
applicant iurisdiction which provides for all said governments' consent to the
application. If the commission determines that such an agreement exists between
all affected adiacent iurisdictions and the applicant iurisdiction for any given
application, then it shall be rebuttablyirrefutablv presumed that said application~
consistent with criteria of this section and the commission shall issue a certificate
of consistencv on the application without holding a public hearing does not
adversely affeet intergovernmental cooperation and eoordination.
(d) For purposes of determining consistency uHder this section, the plan, element, or plan
amendment and the comprehensive plans against which it is oompared and analyzed shall
be construed as a whole and no specific goal and policy shall be oonstrued or applied in
isolation from the other goals and polices in the plans.
(eQ) The commission may deny certification where any applicant has failed to establish, by a
preponderance of the evidence, its entitlement under this article to the certificate. The
commission and its professional staff shall not evaluate or make consistencv
determinations on whether a proposed comprehensive plan amendment is consistent with
the comprehensive plan of the applicant iurisdiction. The commission and its professional
staff does not have the authority to and shall not evaluate or make determinations on
proposed rezonings and other proposed development permits as defined in Section
163.3164(7). Florida Statutes. Any conditions of previouslv issued certificates of
consistency issued by the commission requiring commission review of proposed
rezonings or other proposed development permits are hereby rendered null and void
without effect on the validity of such certificates.
(0 f..ny small scale eomprehensive plan amendmeflt '""hich meets the review by oommission
requirements of section 90 35(e)(I) shall be deemed consistent by the commission and a
certification issued within 10 days of receipt of the applicatiofl by the commission
without the need to hold a public hearing if no written objections are timely issued or
recei'.'ed by the commission. If a 21 day extension is requested pursuant to section 90
35(e)(2)c, thefl the small seale oomprehensive plan amendment shall be deemed
consistent by the commission if it meets the review by commission requirements of
section 90 35(e)(l)(a), and a certificate issHed within 60 days of receipt oftRe application
by the commission without need to hold pHblic hearing if no ..",titten objeotions are timely
issued or recei':ed by the commission.
(g)
I (h~
I (if)
(tg)
Failure to file a v:ritteB. objection to any such plan amendment shall be deemed a wai':er
of any right to intervene pursuant to sectioB. 90 38. If a '.vritteB. objection to any such plan
amendment is issued or reeeived, then that plan amendment applioatioB. shall be
processed and reviewed in the same manner and subjeot to the same requirements as set
f{)rth in seotions 90 35,90 36 and 90 37.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this article, any modifications to
the capital improvements element of a comprehensive plan done pursuant to F.S. ~
163.3 1 77(3)(b ), which would otherwise be reviewable by the commission, and are not
deemed to be amendments to the comprehensive plan pursuant to that statute, shall be
exempt from further review by the commission.
During the commission certification process and until a certification of consistency has
been issued or deemed issued by operation of law, g~ach applicant has a continuing
affirmative duty to submit the objections, recommendations and comments (ORC) report
and any and all additional correspondence, notices, documentation, orders, proposed
orders, agreements or other information except adversariallyadversarial administrative
pleadings in formal F.S. ~ 120.57(1) proceedings (collectively referred to in this section
as "additional information") prepared by, transmitted by, received from or agreed to by
either the state department of community affairs or the applicant, related to any
comprehensive plan, element, or amendment previously certified as consistent by the
commission. The oommission shall have the right, power and authority to reopen and
reconsider its decision to certify consistenoy and ohange or modify its conditions of
oertification applicable to at'}y suoh plan, element, or amendment should the commission
determine in its sole discretion that the additional information changes the facts and
oircumstances related to its prior certification. Should the applicant fail to submit to the
oommission a oopY of any and all additional information ....:ithin 30 days after receipt,
transmittal, execution or creation (as applicable) by the applicant, the commission shall
likewise have the right, power and authority to reopen and reconsider said certificate of
completeness. The oommission may initiate any such reconsideration proceeding by
sending ....:ritten notice to the applicant/certificate holder, shall schedule and advertise
S1:loh reoonsideration proceeding as a public hearing no less than 60 days after the date of
said notioe, and may consider any iss1:le and receive S1:lch evidence in said public hearing
and its subsequent deoision that it deems relevant. The commission shall render a vlfitten
decision by resolution within 30 days from the date of said public hearing. .^...ppeal frem
said decision shall be in the manner provided in this article f{)r appeal of certifications of
consistency.
Notwithstanding any proVISIon of this section to the contrary, an application for a
certificate of plan consistency shall not be reviewed at a public hearing except as
provided in section 90-35( eQ). When no public hearing is timely requested or held, the
commission chairman shall issue by letter a certificate of plan consistency as provided in
section 90-35( eQ). However, if a public hearing is called by the commission or is held
pursuant to the request of an adjacent jurisdiction or a substantially affected or aggrieved
paRy, the commission shall determine consistency pursuant to the criteria contained in
I (2)
(3)
(4)
this section; afld the applieant jurisdiction shall be required to establish by competent,
substantial e'lideflee that its application meets the criteria specified in this seetion.
(Ord. No. 87-24, ~ 6, 7-23-87; Ord. No. 90-46, ~ I, 12-20-90; Ord. No. 91-39, ~ 2, 11-21-91;
Ord. No. 92-87, ~ 3, 10-8-92; Ord. No. 93-13, ~ 3, 5-20-93; Ord. No. 2007-05, ~ III, 2-22-07)
Sec. 90-38. Landowner Intervention.
A landowner or contract purchaser of land subject to a comprehensive plan amendment that is
the subject of an application Persons other than the original parties to a pending application
under this article who are or may be substantially aff~cted and aggrieved by the outcome of the
proceeding shall have the right may petition the commission f-or leave to intervene as a party in
the proceeding. Petitions for leave to intervene must be filed with the commission at least five
days before the date of the public hearing, and should, at a minimum, contain the following:
(1)
The name and address of the intervenor~,-aml
(2)
Proof of ownership of land or proof of contract purchaser statusan explanation of how his
substantial interests may be substantially affected by the commission's determination;
If the intervenor intends to object to certification of consistenc)', a statement of all
disputed issues of material fact, including specific objections to the pending application;
A demand for relief to which the intervenor deems himself entitled; and
Other information which the intervenor contends is material and relevant. Furthermore,
the petition shall include allegations sufficient to demonstrate that the intervenor is
entitled to participate in the proceeding as a matter of constitutional or statutory right, or
that the substantial interests of the intervenor are subject to determination or may be
affected by the outcome of the proceeding. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to
prohibit or prevent members of the public from being heard at the public hearing required
by section 90 35.
(Ord. No. 87-24, ~ 7, 7-23-87)
Sec. 90-39. Revocation of certificate.
Certificates of consistency shall be effective HHtH-unless revoked: provided however. that
certificates of consistency cannot be revoked after 60 days has expired from the application
jurisdiction's adoption of the comprehensive plan. element or comprehensive plan amendment
that is subject of the application. Certificates shall not become a vested right in the certificate
holder. If prior to 60 days after the applicant jurisdiction adopts the comprehensive plan or
comprehensive plan amendment that is subject of the application. an adjacent jurisdiction
notifies the commission that any of the items under subsections (I) or (2) below occurred. the
commission shall hold a public meeting and give the applicant iurisdiction reasonable notice and
an opportunity to be heard at the public meeting and at such public hearing the commission shall
have the authority to revoke a previously issued certificate if the commission determines that one
of the following occurred:After public notice and public hearing, the commission may revoke
any certificate issued by it only if:
(I) The commission finds that the certificate holder or its agent submitted false or inaccurate
material information in its application or at the public hearing; or
(2) The applicant failed to notify an adiacent jurisdiotion local government An adiacent
iurisdiction failed to get notice of the application as required by this article. Revocation
of a certifioate shall invalidate the plan, element, or plan amendment certified thereby.
Revocation of a certificate shall invalidate the plan, element, or plan amendment certified
thereby.
(Ord. No. 87-24, S 8, 7-23-87)
Sec. 90-40. Appeals.
(a) Only the applicant jurisdiction, an adjacent jurisdiction and landowner or contract
purchaser which has timely intervened pursuant to Section 90-38 shall have the right to
contest the issuance, denial or revocation of a certificate of consistency. The applicant
iurisdiction, an adiacent iurisdiction and A!!ny substantially affeoted and aggrieved local
government or other substantially affected and landowner or contract purchaser aggrieved
paFty-which has previously timely intervened pursuant to section 90-38 may contest the
issuance, denial or revocation of a certificate of consistency by filing a petition for writ of
certiorari along with a complete record of the proceeding(s) from which said certificate
emanated so certified by the commission's records custodians, in the manner prescribed
by the state appellate rules to the circuit court of the county, within 30 days after the date
the commission's decision is filed with its secretary. The court shall not conduct a trial de
novo. The proceedings before the commission, including the testimony of witnesses, and
any exhibits, photographs, maps or other documents filed before them, shall be subject to
review by the circuit court. The petition for writ of certiorari shall state how the
commission erred and shall include all of the documents, papers, photographs, exhibits
and transcripts constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken, or
properly certified copies thereof in lieu of originals. The petition, along with the record,
shall be filed in the circuit court within 30 days after the filing of the decision by the
commission to which such petition is addressed. The court may extend the time for filing
the record, including the transcript and exhibits, for good cause shown. The person filing
the petition for certiorari shall be responsible for filing a true and correct transcript of the
complete testimony of the witnesses.
(b) The petition for writ of certiorari shall be furnished to the original applicant, the owner of
record of the subject property, to each attorney at law appearing for any person at the
hearing before the V olusia Growth Management Commission, and to the V olusia Growth
.
.
Management Commission. The commission shall suspend the issuance of its permit until
the court has ruled upon the petition.
(c) The V olusia Growth Management Commission shall be a necessary and indispensable
party to any appeal of its decisions. Any other person including but not limited to an
adjacent local government may intervene, pursuant to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure
1.230, as a respondent in the certiorari proceeding authorized by this section.
(Ord. No. 87-24, S 9, 7-23-87; Ord. No. 99-16, S 4, 5-13-99)
Sec. 90-41. Enforcement.
The commission may institute a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to seek
injunctive relief to enforce compliance with this article or any certificate issued pursuant to this
article.
(Ord. No. 87-24, S 10, 7-23-87)
Sec. 90-42. Waiting period for reapplication for certificate.
No local government shall have the right to file an application for certification pursuant to
section 90-35 if the same plan, element, or plan amendment for which certification is applied has
been the subject of an application before the commission within a period of H six (6) months
prior to the filing of the application.
(Ord. No. 87-24, S 11, 7-23-87)
Sec. 90-43. Article not to affect preexisting rights.
Nothing in this article shall after or affect rights previously vested or plans, elements, or plan
amendments previously, finally and completely adopted in accordance with applicable state law
prior to November 4, 1986.
(Ord. No. 87-24, S 12, 7-23-87)
Sec. 90-44. Ratification of past agreements.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this article, the following agreements are
hereby ratified and confirmed and the plans, elements, and plan amendments involved therein are
certified consistent for purposes of this article:
(1) Agreement between the City of Daytona Beach, Florida, and Gerald Berson dated March
1987.
(2) Agreement between the City of Port Orange, Florida, DSC of Newark Enterprises, Inc.,
and the county dated January 8, 1987.
(3) Agreement between the City of Port Orange, Florida, S.C.B. Development, Inc., and the
county dated January 8, 1987.
(4) Agreement between the City of Edgewater, Florida, Radnor/Edgewater, Inc., and the
county dated January 12, 1987.
(5) Agreement between the City of Port Orange, Sandalwood, Inc., and the county dated
January 5, 1987.
(6) Agreement between the City of Port Orange, Jennie M. Krol and the county dated
January 5, 1987.
(7) County council Ordinance No. 87-19, approving, among other things, amending the
county comprehensive plan amendments related to Mosquito Lagoon, Hontoon Island
and the North Peninsula.
(Ord. No. 87-24, ~ 13, 7-23-87)
Section 90-45 Appointment & Removal of Commission Members. There shall be one
voting member from each municipality within the county and five voting members from the
unincorporated area of the county. The appointment of each voting representative shall be made
bv the governing body of each respective iurisdiction. Voting members of the commission shall
not be elected officials or anyone who by serving on the commission would violate the dual-
office holding provision of the Florida Constitution. The V olusia County School Board. the St.
Johns River Water Management District. and the Volusia County Business Development
Corporation shall each designate one nonvoting member to serve on the commission. The term
of office of the commission members shall be four (4) years. The governing body for each
governmental entity that appoints a member(s) to the commission shall at any time have the right
to remove its appointed member( s) to the commission with or without cause and to appoint a
successor member( s ).
Secs. 90-45--90-70. Reserved.