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The Florida Senate

2007 Florida Statutes

SECTION 0552
Florida Keys Area; protection and designation as area of critical state concern.
Section 380.0552, Florida Statutes 2007

1380.0552  Florida Keys Area; protection and designation as area of critical state concern.--

(1)  SHORT TITLE.--This section may be cited as the "Florida Keys Area Protection Act."

(2)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is hereby declared that the intent of the Legislature is:

(a)  To establish a land use management system that protects the natural environment of the Florida Keys.

(b)  To establish a land use management system that conserves and promotes the community character of the Florida Keys.

(c)  To establish a land use management system that promotes orderly and balanced growth in accordance with the capacity of available and planned public facilities and services.

(d)  To provide for affordable housing in close proximity to places of employment in the Florida Keys.

(e)  To establish a land use management system that promotes and supports a diverse and sound economic base.

(f)  To protect the constitutional rights of property owners to own, use, and dispose of their real property.

(g)  To promote coordination and efficiency among governmental agencies with permitting jurisdiction over land use activities in the Florida Keys.

(3)  RATIFICATION OF DESIGNATION.--The designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern, the boundaries of which are described in chapter 27F-8, Florida Administrative Code, as amended effective August 23, 1984, is hereby ratified.

(4)  REMOVAL OF DESIGNATION.--

(a)  Between July 12, 2008, and August 30, 2008, the state land planning agency shall submit a written report to the Administration Commission describing in detail the progress of the Florida Keys Area toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program as defined in paragraph (c) and providing a recommendation as to whether substantial progress toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program has been achieved. Subsequent to receipt of the report, the Administration Commission shall determine, prior to October 1, 2008, whether substantial progress has been achieved toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program. The designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern under this section shall be removed October 1, 2009, unless the Administration Commission finds, after receipt of the state land planning agency report, that substantial progress has not been achieved toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program. If the designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern is removed, the Administration Commission, within 60 days after removal of the designation, shall initiate rulemaking pursuant to chapter 120 to repeal any rules relating to the designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern. If, after receipt of the state land planning agency's report, the Administration Commission finds that substantial progress toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program has not been achieved, the Administration Commission shall provide a written report to the Monroe County Commission within 30 days after making such finding detailing the tasks under the work program that must be accomplished in order for substantial progress to be achieved within the next 12 months.

(b)  If the designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern is not removed in accordance with paragraph (a), the state land planning agency shall submit a written annual report to the Administration Commission on November 1 of each year, until such time as the designation is removed, describing the progress of the Florida Keys Area toward accomplishing remaining tasks under the work program and providing a recommendation as to whether substantial progress toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program has been achieved. The Administration Commission shall determine, within 45 days after receipt of the annual report, whether substantial progress has been achieved toward accomplishing the remaining tasks of the work program. The designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern under this section shall be removed unless the Administration Commission finds that substantial progress has not been achieved toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program. If the designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern is removed, the Administration Commission, within 60 days after removal of the designation, shall initiate rulemaking pursuant to chapter 120 to repeal any rules relating to the designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern. If the Administration Commission finds that substantial progress has not been achieved, the Administration Commission shall provide to the Monroe County Commission, within 30 days after making its finding, a report detailing the tasks under the work program that must be accomplished in order for substantial progress to be achieved within the next 12 months.

(c)  For purposes of this subsection, the term "work program" means the 10-year work program as set forth in rule 28-20.110, Florida Administrative Code, on January 1, 2006, excluding amendments to the work program that take effect after January 1, 2006.

(d)  The determination of the Administration Commission as to whether substantial progress has been made toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program may be judicially reviewed pursuant to chapter 86. All proceedings shall be conducted in the circuit court of the judicial circuit where the Administration Commission maintains its headquarters and shall be initiated within 30 days after rendition of the Administration Commission's determination. The Administration Commission's determination as to whether substantial progress has been made toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program shall be upheld if it is supported by competent and substantial evidence and shall not be subject to administrative review under chapter 120.

(e)  After removal of the designation as an area of critical state concern, the state land planning agency shall review proposed local comprehensive plans, and any amendments to existing comprehensive plans, which are applicable to the Florida Keys Area, the boundaries of which were described in chapter 28-29, Florida Administrative Code, as of January 1, 2006, for compliance with subparagraphs 1. and 2., in addition to reviewing proposed local comprehensive plans and amendments for compliance as defined in s. 163.3184 All procedures and penalties described in s. 163.3184 apply to the review conducted pursuant to this paragraph.

1.  Adoption of construction schedules for wastewater facilities improvements in the annually adopted capital improvements element and adoption of standards for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities which meet or exceed the criteria of chapter 99-395, Laws of Florida.

2.  Adoption of goals, objectives, and policies to protect public safety and welfare in the event of a natural disaster by maintaining a hurricane evacuation clearance time for permanent residents of no more than 24 hours. The hurricane evacuation clearance time shall be determined by a hurricane evacuation study conducted in accordance with a professionally accepted methodology and approved by the state land planning agency.

(5)  APPLICATION OF THIS CHAPTER.--Section 380.05(1)-(5), (9)-(11), (15), (17), and (21) shall not apply to the area designated by this section for so long as the designation remains in effect. Except as otherwise provided in this section, s. 380.045 shall not apply to the area designated by this section. All other provisions of this chapter shall apply, including s. 380.07

(6)  RESOURCE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.--The Governor, acting as the chief planning officer of the state, shall appoint a resource planning and management committee for the Florida Keys Area with the membership as specified in s. 380.045(2). Meetings shall be called as needed by the chair or on the demand of three or more members of the committee. The committee shall:

(a)  Serve as a liaison between the state and local governments within Monroe County.

(b)  Develop, with local government officials in the Florida Keys Area, recommendations to the state land planning agency as to the sufficiency of the Florida Keys Area's comprehensive plan and land development regulations.

(c)  Recommend to the state land planning agency changes to state and regional plans and regulatory programs affecting the Florida Keys Area.

(d)  Assist units of local government within the Florida Keys Area in carrying out the planning functions and other responsibilities required by this section.

(e)  Review, at a minimum, all reports and other materials provided to it by the state land planning agency or other governmental agencies.

(7)  PRINCIPLES FOR GUIDING DEVELOPMENT.--State, regional, and local agencies and units of government in the Florida Keys Area shall coordinate their plans and conduct their programs and regulatory activities consistent with the principles for guiding development as set forth in chapter 27F-8, Florida Administrative Code, as amended effective August 23, 1984, which chapter is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference. For the purposes of reviewing consistency of the adopted plan or any amendments to that plan with the principles for guiding development and any amendments to the principles, the principles shall be construed as a whole and no specific provision shall be construed or applied in isolation from the other provisions. However, the principles for guiding development as set forth in chapter 27F-8, Florida Administrative Code, as amended effective August 23, 1984, are repealed 18 months from July 1, 1986. After repeal, the following shall be the principles with which any plan amendments must be consistent:

(a)  To strengthen local government capabilities for managing land use and development so that local government is able to achieve these objectives without the continuation of the area of critical state concern designation.

(b)  To protect shoreline and marine resources, including mangroves, coral reef formations, seagrass beds, wetlands, fish and wildlife, and their habitat.

(c)  To protect upland resources, tropical biological communities, freshwater wetlands, native tropical vegetation (for example, hardwood hammocks and pinelands), dune ridges and beaches, wildlife, and their habitat.

(d)  To ensure the maximum well-being of the Florida Keys and its citizens through sound economic development.

(e)  To limit the adverse impacts of development on the quality of water throughout the Florida Keys.

(f)  To enhance natural scenic resources, promote the aesthetic benefits of the natural environment, and ensure that development is compatible with the unique historic character of the Florida Keys.

(g)  To protect the historical heritage of the Florida Keys.

(h)  To protect the value, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and amortized life of existing and proposed major public investments, including:

1.  The Florida Keys Aqueduct and water supply facilities;

2.  Sewage collection and disposal facilities;

3.  Solid waste collection and disposal facilities;

4.  Key West Naval Air Station and other military facilities;

5.  Transportation facilities;

6.  Federal parks, wildlife refuges, and marine sanctuaries;

7.  State parks, recreation facilities, aquatic preserves, and other publicly owned properties;

8.  City electric service and the Florida Keys Electric Co-op; and

9.  Other utilities, as appropriate.

(i)  To limit the adverse impacts of public investments on the environmental resources of the Florida Keys.

(j)  To make available adequate affordable housing for all sectors of the population of the Florida Keys.

(k)  To provide adequate alternatives for the protection of public safety and welfare in the event of a natural or manmade disaster and for a postdisaster reconstruction plan.

(l)  To protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Florida Keys and maintain the Florida Keys as a unique Florida resource.

(8)  COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTS AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.--The comprehensive plan elements and land development regulations approved pursuant to s. 380.05(6), (8), and (14) shall be the comprehensive plan elements and land development regulations for the Florida Keys Area.

(9)  MODIFICATION TO PLANS AND REGULATIONS.--Any land development regulation or element of a local comprehensive plan in the Florida Keys Area may be enacted, amended, or rescinded by a local government, but the enactment, amendment, or rescission shall become effective only upon the approval thereof by the state land planning agency. The state land planning agency shall review the proposed change to determine if it is in compliance with the principles for guiding development set forth in chapter 27F-8, Florida Administrative Code, as amended effective August 23, 1984, and shall either approve or reject the requested changes within 60 days of receipt thereof. Further, the state land planning agency, after consulting with the appropriate local government, may, no more often than once a year, recommend to the Administration Commission the enactment, amendment, or rescission of a land development regulation or element of a local comprehensive plan. Within 45 days following the receipt of such recommendation by the state land planning agency, the commission shall reject the recommendation, or accept it with or without modification and adopt it, by rule, including any changes. Any such local development regulation or plan shall be in compliance with the principles for guiding development.

History.--s. 6, ch. 79-73; s. 4, ch. 86-170; s. 1, ch. 89-342; s. 641, ch. 95-148; s. 3, ch. 2006-223.

1Note.--Section 7, ch. 2006-223, provides that "[i]f the designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern is removed, the state shall be liable in any inverse condemnation action initiated as a result of Monroe County land use regulations applicable to the Florida Keys Area as described in chapter 28-29, Florida Administrative Code, and adopted pursuant to instructions from the Administration Commission or pursuant to administrative rule of the Administration Commission, to the same extent that the state was liable on the date the Administration Commission determined that substantial progress had been made toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program as defined in s. 380.0552(4)(c), Florida Statutes. If, after the designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern is removed, an inverse condemnation action is initiated based upon land use regulations that were not adopted pursuant to instructions from the Administration Commission or pursuant to administrative rule of the Administration Commission and in effect on the date of the designation's removal, the state's liability in the inverse condemnation action shall be determined by the courts in the manner in which the state's liability is determined in areas that are not areas of critical state concern. The state shall have standing to appear in any inverse condemnation action."