City of Coral Gables Zoning Code Re-Write
Proposed Review Process Consultant presentation and explanation of revisions Questions and answers to clarify consultant & administration intent
Proposed Review Process Public meetings focused on discussion and input with regard to policy issues “Word crafting” and editorial changes through written comments or one on one meetings with members
Proposed Review Process A tracking “matrix” has been provided showing old and new sections
Re-Write Process Critical review of existing LDRs Review of Comprehensive Plan Interviews with City leaders and affected and interested persons Review of controversial developments
Re-Write Process Physical reconnaissance throughout City Preparation of 3D development models to test the effectiveness of existing development standards
Re-Write Process Attended public meetings and hearings of various bodies Preparation of proposed Table of Contents Preparation of discussion draft of LDRs
Primary Objectives Simplify the Code Eliminate inconsistencies Improve readability Eliminated fees (will be included in City Code) Eliminated application requirements and authorized staff to prepare Address specific concerns, e.g. “monster” homes and land use transitions
Formatting Sample Page Article 3 Development Review Division 2 General Development Review Procedures Section 3 – 201. Pre-application conference Section 3 – 202. Filing application for development approval/simultaneous applications Section 3 – 203. Determination of application completeness Section 3 – 204. Review by Development Review Committee (DRC) Article Division Subsection
Strike through text is old text Format of Draft Strike through text is old text Commentary Underlined text is new text
Table of Contents Article 1. General Provisions Article 2. Decision Making & Administrative Bodies Article 3. Development Review Article 4. Zoning Districts Article 5. Development Standards Article 6. Non-conformities Article 7. Violations, Enforcement &Penalties Article 8. Definitions
Article 1. General Provisions Required statements of authority, jurisdiction and incorporation of comprehensive plans and official zoning map Provision of detailed transition rules for application of new requirements
Article 2. Decision Making and Administrative Bodies Reorganization of all provisions into a single article Clarification of qualifications, power, duties etc of all official bodies Creation of new positions: City Architect and Development Review Official (“DRO”) Modifications to rules of procedure for Board of Architects
Article 2. Decision Making and Administrative Bodies Modification of administrative development review procedures and allocating final decision making for non-historic administrative decisions to DRO
Article 3. Development Review Reorganization and clarification through parallel provisions and use of tables and flow charts
Article 3. Development Review Consolidation and standardization of notice provisions
Article 3. Development Review Simplification of minor and major conditional use process Make PAD a major conditional use
Article 3. Development Review Appeals consolidated into a single section
Article 3. Development Review Incorporation of provisions for development agreements, subdivisions, concurrency and abandonment into LDRs Reorganization of historic preservation provisions and improved integration of historic preservation review and other land use reviews
Article 3. Development Review Clarification of map and text amendment procedures New provisions governing comprehensive plan amendments and DRIs Provision for protection of landowner’s rights
Article 4. Zoning Districts Consolidation of R Districts into 2 Single Family (SF) districts – “established” Coral Gables and “new” Coral Gables Consolidation and modification of multifamily districts into two districts – MF 1 and MF 2 Reorganization of special purpose districts Consolidation of CA, CB and CC Districts into two districts -- CL (limited) and C
Single Family Districts Consolidation of SF districts (R1-2 to R19) into two SF districts – one north of Circle and the other to the west and south of the Circle Address issue of “monster” homes
Consolidation of SF Districts Existing R1-2 to R19 vary only by minimum floor area requirement Minimum floor area requirement is obsolete and irrelevant No rhyme or reason to existing pattern of R districts Research reveals that “neighborhoods” are not defined by zoning districts
Single Family Districts Extensive research to understand role of R districts in neighborhood character Sorting of existing R districts into three groups (low, medium & high) revealed some sense of coherence Working with staff, we ultimate settled on two districts