Economic Development Committee Agenda
April 2, 2012; 2:30 p.m.
           
1. Discussion Regarding Golf Cart Designation for Williams Park Road
  A request for designation of golf cart access on Williams Park Road was submitted to the County.  The submittal includes a petition showing that a minimum of 51% of the property owners along the road are in favor of the designation. The petition has been checked and verified by the Department of Engineering and Public Works.

Engineering and Public Works staff performed an evaluation to determine if the roadway is appropriate for golf cart use utilizing, at a minimum, the following criteria:

1) Posted Speed
2) Average Vehicles per Day
3) Width and Configuration of Roadway
4) Roadway Classification

Williams Park Road has been determined to be appropriate.  The attached resolution will designate the roadway for golf cart use.  If recommended for approval by the Committee, the resolution will be forwarded to the Board for approval.

All roads designated for golf cart use must meet the requirements of Section 316.212 which, at a minimum, require that:

1) Golf carts may be operated only during the hours between sunrise and sunset, unless the local government has determined that a golf cart may be operated during the hours between sunset and sunrise and the golf cart is equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield.
2) Golf carts must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and red reflectorized warning devices in both the front and rear.
3) Golf carts may not be operated on public roads or streets by any person under the age of 14.
 
2. Discussion Regarding Amending the BA Zoning District to Allow for Outside Display (Ice Machines)
  In November, staff was contacted by Mr. Jason Cleghorn, a representative of East Coast Ice.  Mr. Cleghorn was interested in placing an ice machine on a parcel of property zoned BA on Fleming Island.  Mr. Cleghorn was informed that a number of the BB zoning districts allow for outside sales and display, but that the BA zoning district does not.  

Mr. Cleghorn contacted Commissioner Conkey to ask if the County would consider amending the BA zoning district or to consider rezoning a parcel on Fleming Island to a BB category to allow for outside sales and display.  Commissioner Conkey referred the request to Commissioner Davis, District I Commissioner.  Commissioner Davis asked that the item be taken before the Fleming Island Advisory Committee (FICAC) for consideration.

The FICAC met on June 26th to consider Mr. Cleghorn's request.  The Committee did not support the request (See Attached FICAC Recommendation) stating that allowing a change would violate the intent and purpose of the Fleming Island Plan.

At his request, Mr. Cleghorn will address the Economic Development Committee to ask that the Committee consider a revision to the BA zoning district to allow for outside sales and display, specifically for a location on Fleming Island. 

Staff does not support the request.  Revising the BA zoning district to allow for outside sales and display would not only change the zoning district for those parcels on Fleming Island but would affect all BA zoned parcels county-wide.  There are properties currently zoned BB on the island that would allow for the use.  Staff feels that if Mr. Cleghorn would like to erect an ice machine on a parcel that is not currently zoned BB, that he utilize the County's rezoning process to pursue his request.
 
3. Discussion Regarding Revision of Code Enforcement Policy
  On August 3, 2010, the Board (in response to the reduction of Code Enforcement staff) instituted new policies relating to the procedures for filing and processing code enforcement complaints.  One of the policy directives required that cases  be brought before the Special Magistrate only if they had been pending for a minimum of six months.

At the request of Commissioner Conkey, Staff is proposing to revise the policy to reduce the time frame for pending cases to be submitted to the Special Magistrate.  Currently, notices are sent to the property owner every 30 days.  If the violation has not been remedied after the initial 30 day period, a second notice is given allowing another 30 days to bring the violation into compliance.  This process continues for six months.  

Staff is recommending that the property owners be given one 30 day period and allow for one 30 day extension. 
 
4. Discussion Regarding Economic Development Incentives
 
The Board adopted its Clay County Economic Development Business Incentive Policy on March 24, 2009.  The policy includes the County's local economic development tax increment grant program and regulatory relief, participation by the Clay County Development Authority, and state economic development incentives which involve local approval or a matching grant.  The attached memo provides a summary of each.
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS