Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board backs 12‑month moratorium on independent feasibility and economic‑impact studies
Summary
The board voted unanimously to recommend a 12‑month moratorium on enforcement of city requirements that applicants pay for independent feasibility or economic impact studies for large projects, allowing staff to evaluate the value and implementation of the ordinance adopted in 2020.
The Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board unanimously approved a resolution recommending that the City Commission adopt a 12‑month moratorium on enforcement of the city ordinance requiring independent feasibility and economic impact studies for certain large projects and special entitlements.
Graham Jones, assistant director of planning, said the city adopted the ordinance in October 2020. The rule requires applicants for projects over 200,000 square feet or projects seeking special entitlements to fund an independent economic analysis that examines direct and indirect labor income, economic output, fiscal benefits and service costs, land‑value effects and whether new development absorbs or displaces existing demand.
Jones said four studies are already in progress and the moratorium would allow staff to examine the consultant work and assess whether the requirement provides actionable value, whether scope adjustments are needed, or whether repeal is appropriate. He said studies cost roughly $40,000 each and staff wants time to evaluate the reports and recommendations before requiring additional applicants to pay for the process.
Board members asked clarifying questions about whether displacement and business impacts would be captured by the studies; Jones said the current ordinance language and consultant scope vary and that the moratorium will allow staff time to define how to use the information in a way that could influence permitting or mitigation policies.
The board’s recommendation will go to the City Commission for final action.
