CS/HB 7129

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to growth management; amending s.
3163.3167, F.S.; revising prohibited initiatives or
4referenda; amending s. 163.3177, F.S.; extending a date
5for adopting and transmitting certain required amendments;
6revising criteria and requirements for future land use
7plan elements of local government comprehensive plans;
8revising requirements for a housing element; revising
9requirements for an intergovernmental coordination
10element; revising requirements for a transportation
11element; amending s. 163.3180, F.S.; establishing certain
12transportation concurrency exception areas for certain
13purposes; providing requirements; establishing urban
14redevelopment impacts; revising long-term concurrency
15requirements; revising development of regional impact
16proportionate share requirements; providing a definition;
17specifying charter school mitigation options; revising
18multimodal transportation district requirements; providing
19definitions; providing a calculation methodology for
20certain developments' future mitigation costs; providing
21for an Urban Placemaking Initiative Pilot Project Program;
22providing for designating certain local governments as
23urban placemaking initiative pilot projects; providing
24purposes, requirements, criteria, procedures, and
25limitations for such local governments, the pilot
26projects, and the program; revising development
27proportionate fair-share requirements; providing a
28definition; providing legislative findings relating to
29transportation concurrency; providing legislative intent
30relating to mobility fees for certain purposes; requiring
31the Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
32to study and develop a methodology for a mobility fee
33system; providing study and fee applicability
34requirements; providing for establishing a mobility fee
35pilot program in certain counties and municipalities in
36such counties; providing coordination requirements for the
37committee and such local governments; requiring
38implementation by a certain date; providing program
39requirements and criteria; providing mobility fee
40requirements and limitations; amending s. 163.31801, F.S.;
41specifying additional criteria for requirements for
42certain local government impact fees; imposing an
43evidentiary burden on persons or entities challenging an
44impact fee in impact fee validity challenge actions;
45amending s. 163.3184, F.S.; providing certain meeting and
46notice requirements for applications for future land use
47amendments; increasing the time period for agency review;
48providing circumstances for abandonment of a plan
49amendment; providing for extension and status reports;
50revising requirements for public hearings for
51comprehensive plans or plan amendments; providing
52procedures and requirements for assistance to local
53governments by the Rural Economic Development Initiative
54for plan amendments in rural areas of critical economic
55importance; providing limited application and exemptions
56for certain plan map amendments; authorizing affected
57persons to file petitions for administrative review
58challenging compliance of certain plan amendments;
59providing legislative findings relating to rural centers
60of economic development; providing a declaration of
61compelling state interest; providing a definition;
62authorizing certain landowners to apply for amendments to
63comprehensive plans for certain rural centers of economic
64development; providing application requirements,
65procedures, and limitations; amending s. 163.3187, F.S.;
66authorizing plan amendments once a year; authorizing
67certain plan amendments twice a year; providing for
68exceptions; providing requirements for small scale
69amendment effective dates; amending s. 163.3245, F.S.;
70increasing the number of authorized optional sector plans
71pilot projects; amending s. 163.32465, F.S.; revising
72legislative findings; revising alternative state review
73process pilot program requirements and procedures;
74expanding application of the program; revising
75requirements for the initial hearing on comprehensive plan
76amendments for the program; revising requirements for
77administrative challenges to plan amendments for the
78program; creating s. 163.351, F.S.; revising requirements
79concerning reporting by community redevelopment agencies;
80requiring an annual report of progress and plans to the
81governing body; requiring that the agency and the county
82or municipality make such report available for public
83inspection; requiring that certain reports or information
84concerning dependent special districts be annually
85provided to the Department of Community Affairs; requiring
86that certain financial reports or information be annually
87provided to the Department of Financial Services; amending
88s. 163.356, F.S.; eliminating the requirement that
89community redevelopment agencies file and make available
90to the public certain reports concerning finances;
91amending s. 163.370, F.S.; specifying additional projects
92that may not be paid for or financed with increment
93revenues; amending s. 163.387, F.S.; revising criteria for
94making expenditures from moneys in the redevelopment trust
95fund; specifying that the list is not exclusive;
96eliminating requirements concerning the auditing of a
97community redevelopment agency's redevelopment trust fund;
98amending s. 288.0655, F.S.; providing for a waiver of
99local match requirements for certain catalyst site funding
100applications; authorizing the office to award grants for a
101certain percentage of total infrastructure project costs
102for certain catalyst site funding applications; amending
103s. 288.0656, F.S.; providing legislative intent; revising
104definitions; providing certain additional review and
105action requirements for REDI relating to rural
106communities; revising representation on REDI; deleting a
107limitation on characterization as a rural area of critical
108economic concern; authorizing rural areas of critical
109economic concern to designate certain catalyst project for
110certain purposes; providing project requirements;
111requiring the initiative to assist local governments with
112certain comprehensive planning needs; providing procedures
113and requirements for such assistance; revising certain
114reporting requirements for REDI; amending s. 380.06, F.S.;
115requiring a specified level of service for certain
116transportation methodologies; revising criteria for
117extending application of certain deadline dates and
118approvals for developments of regional impact; expanding
119the exemption for certain proposed developments or
120redevelopments to include certain additional areas;
121providing an additional statutory exemption for certain
122developments in certain counties; providing requirements
123and limitations; amending s. 380.0651, F.S.; expanding the
124criteria for determining whether certain additional hotel
125or motel developments are required to undergo development-
126of-regional impact review; amending s. 403.121, F.S.;
127providing for limitations on building permits relating to
128consent orders; amending s. 420.615, F.S.; providing
129specified application and exemptions for certain
130comprehensive plan amendments relating to affordable
131housing land donation density bonus incentives;
132authorizing affected persons to file petitions for
133administrative review challenging compliance of such plan
134amendments; amending ss. 257.193, 288.019, 288.06561,
135339.2819, and 627.6699, F.S.; correcting cross-references;
136providing an appropriation; providing an effective date.
137
138Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
139
140     Section 1.  Subsection (12) of section 163.3167, Florida
141Statutes, is amended to read:
142     163.3167  Scope of act.--
143     (12)  An initiative or referendum process in regard to any
144of the following is prohibited:
145     (a)  Any development order; or
146     (b)  in regard to Any local comprehensive plan amendment or
147map amendment that applies to affects five or fewer parcels of
148land is prohibited.
149     Section 2.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) and paragraphs
150(a), (f), (h), and (j) of subsection (6) of section 163.3177,
151Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
152     163.3177  Required and optional elements of comprehensive
153plan; studies and surveys.--
154     (3)
155     (b)1.  The capital improvements element must be reviewed on
156an annual basis and modified as necessary in accordance with s.
157163.3187 or s. 163.3189 in order to maintain a financially
158feasible 5-year schedule of capital improvements. Corrections
159and modifications concerning costs; revenue sources; or
160acceptance of facilities pursuant to dedications which are
161consistent with the plan may be accomplished by ordinance and
162shall not be deemed to be amendments to the local comprehensive
163plan. A copy of the ordinance shall be transmitted to the state
164land planning agency. An amendment to the comprehensive plan is
165required to update the schedule on an annual basis or to
166eliminate, defer, or delay the construction for any facility
167listed in the 5-year schedule. All public facilities must be
168consistent with the capital improvements element. Amendments to
169implement this section must be adopted and transmitted no later
170than December 1, 2009 2008. Thereafter, a local government may
171not amend its future land use map, except for plan amendments to
172meet new requirements under this part and emergency amendments
173pursuant to s. 163.3187(1)(b) 163.3187(1)(a), after December 1,
1742009 2008, and every year thereafter, unless and until the local
175government has adopted the annual update and it has been
176transmitted to the state land planning agency.
177     2.  Capital improvements element amendments adopted after
178the effective date of this act shall require only a single
179public hearing before the governing board which shall be an
180adoption hearing as described in s. 163.3184(7). Such amendments
181are not subject to the requirements of s. 163.3184(3)-(6).
182     (6)  In addition to the requirements of subsections (1)-(5)
183and (12), the comprehensive plan shall include the following
184elements:
185     (a)  A future land use plan element designating proposed
186future general distribution, location, and extent of the uses of
187land for residential uses, commercial uses, industry,
188agriculture, recreation, conservation, education, public
189buildings and grounds, other public facilities, and other
190categories of the public and private uses of land. Counties are
191encouraged to designate rural land stewardship areas, pursuant
192to the provisions of paragraph (11)(d), as overlays on the
193future land use map.
194     1.  Each future land use category must be defined in terms
195of uses included, and must include standards to be followed in
196the control and distribution of population densities and
197building and structure intensities. The proposed distribution,
198location, and extent of the various categories of land use shall
199be shown on a land use map or map series which shall be
200supplemented by goals, policies, and measurable objectives.
201     2.  The future land use plan shall be based upon surveys,
202studies, and data regarding the area, including the amount of
203land required to accommodate anticipated growth; the projected
204population of the area; the character of undeveloped land; the
205availability of water supplies, public facilities, and services;
206the need for redevelopment, including the renewal of blighted
207areas and the elimination of nonconforming uses which are
208inconsistent with the character of the community; the
209compatibility of uses on lands adjacent to or closely proximate
210to military installations; lands adjacent to an airport as
211defined in s. 330.35 and consistent with s. 333.02; and, in
212rural communities, the need for job creation, capital
213investment, and economic development that will strengthen and
214diversify the community's economy.
215     3.  The future land use plan may designate areas for future
216planned development use involving combinations of types of uses
217for which special regulations may be necessary to ensure
218development in accord with the principles and standards of the
219comprehensive plan and this act.
220     4.  The future land use plan element shall include criteria
221to be used to achieve the compatibility of adjacent or closely
222proximate lands with military installations and lands adjacent
223to an airport as defined in s. 330.35 and consistent with s.
224333.02.
225     5.  In addition, For rural communities, the amount of land
226designated for future planned industrial use shall be based upon
227the need to mitigate conditions described in s. 288.0656(2)(c)
228and shall surveys and studies that reflect the need for job
229creation, capital investment, and the necessity to strengthen
230and diversify the local economies, and shall not be limited
231solely by the projected population of the rural community.
232     6.  The future land use plan of a county may also designate
233areas for possible future municipal incorporation.
234     7.  The land use maps or map series shall generally
235identify and depict historic district boundaries and shall
236designate historically significant properties meriting
237protection.
238     8.  For coastal counties, the future land use element must
239include, without limitation, regulatory incentives and criteria
240that encourage the preservation of recreational and commercial
241working waterfronts as defined in s. 342.07.
242     9.  The future land use element must clearly identify the
243land use categories in which public schools are an allowable
244use. When delineating the land use categories in which public
245schools are an allowable use, a local government shall include
246in the categories sufficient land proximate to residential
247development to meet the projected needs for schools in
248coordination with public school boards and may establish
249differing criteria for schools of different type or size. Each
250local government shall include lands contiguous to existing
251school sites, to the maximum extent possible, within the land
252use categories in which public schools are an allowable use. The
253failure by a local government to comply with these school siting
254requirements will result in the prohibition of the local
255government's ability to amend the local comprehensive plan,
256except for plan amendments described in s. 163.3187(1)(b)2.
257163.3187(1)(b), until the school siting requirements are met.
258Amendments proposed by a local government for purposes of
259identifying the land use categories in which public schools are
260an allowable use are exempt from the limitation on the frequency
261of plan amendments contained in s. 163.3187. The future land use
262element shall include criteria that encourage the location of
263schools proximate to urban residential areas to the extent
264possible and shall require that the local government seek to
265collocate public facilities, such as parks, libraries, and
266community centers, with schools to the extent possible and to
267encourage the use of elementary schools as focal points for
268neighborhoods. For schools serving predominantly rural counties,
269defined as a county with a population of 100,000 or fewer, an
270agricultural land use category shall be eligible for the
271location of public school facilities if the local comprehensive
272plan contains school siting criteria and the location is
273consistent with such criteria.
274     10.  Local governments required to update or amend their
275comprehensive plan to include criteria and address compatibility
276of land adjacent to an airport as defined in s. 330.35 and
277consistent with s. 333.02 or closely proximate lands with
278existing military installations in their future land use plan
279element shall transmit the update or amendment to the state land
280planning agency department by June 30, 2011 2006.
281     (f)1.  A housing element consisting of standards, plans,
282and principles to be followed in:
283     a.  The provision of housing for all current and
284anticipated future residents of the jurisdiction.
285     b.  The elimination of substandard dwelling conditions.
286     c.  The structural and aesthetic improvement of existing
287housing.
288     d.  The provision of adequate sites for future housing,
289including affordable workforce housing as defined in s.
290380.0651(3)(j), housing for low-income, very low-income, and
291moderate-income families, mobile homes, and group home
292facilities and foster care facilities, with supporting
293infrastructure and public facilities.
294     e.  Provision for relocation housing and identification of
295historically significant and other housing for purposes of
296conservation, rehabilitation, or replacement.
297     f.  The formulation of housing implementation programs.
298     g.  The creation or preservation of affordable housing to
299minimize the need for additional local services and avoid the
300concentration of affordable housing units only in specific areas
301of the jurisdiction.
302
303The goals, objectives, and policies of the housing element must
304be based on the data and analysis prepared on housing needs,
305including the affordable housing needs assessment. State and
306federal housing plans prepared on behalf of the local government
307must be consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of
308the housing element. Local governments are encouraged to utilize
309job training, job creation, and economic solutions to address a
310portion of their affordable housing concerns.
311     2.h.  By July 1, 2008, each county in which the gap between
312the buying power of a family of four and the median county home
313sale price exceeds $170,000, as determined by the Florida
314Housing Finance Corporation, and which is not designated as an
315area of critical state concern shall adopt a plan for ensuring
316affordable workforce housing. At a minimum, the plan shall
317identify adequate sites for such housing. For purposes of this
318sub-subparagraph, the term "workforce housing" means housing
319that is affordable to natural persons or families whose total
320household income does not exceed 140 percent of the area median
321income, adjusted for household size.
322     3.  As a precondition to receiving any state affordable
323housing funding or allocation for any project or program within
324a county's or municipality's jurisdiction, a county or  
325municipality shall provide by July 1 of each year certification
326that the inventory required in s. 125.379 or s. 166.0451,
327respectively, and any update required by this section are
328complete.
329     i.  Failure by a local government to comply with the
330requirement in sub-subparagraph h. will result in the local
331government being ineligible to receive any state housing
332assistance grants until the requirement of sub-subparagraph h.
333is met.
334
335The goals, objectives, and policies of the housing element must
336be based on the data and analysis prepared on housing needs,
337including the affordable housing needs assessment. State and
338federal housing plans prepared on behalf of the local government
339must be consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of
340the housing element. Local governments are encouraged to utilize
341job training, job creation, and economic solutions to address a
342portion of their affordable housing concerns.
343     4.2.  To assist local governments in housing data
344collection and analysis and assure uniform and consistent
345information regarding the state's housing needs, the state land
346planning agency shall conduct an affordable housing needs
347assessment for all local jurisdictions on a schedule that
348coordinates the implementation of the needs assessment with the
349evaluation and appraisal reports required by s. 163.3191. Each
350local government shall utilize the data and analysis from the
351needs assessment as one basis for the housing element of its
352local comprehensive plan. The agency shall allow a local
353government the option to perform its own needs assessment, if it
354uses the methodology established by the agency by rule.
355     (h)1.  An intergovernmental coordination element showing
356relationships and stating principles and guidelines to be used
357in coordinating the accomplishment of coordination of the
358adopted comprehensive plan with the plans of school boards,
359regional water supply authorities, and other units of local
360government providing services but not having regulatory
361authority over the use of land, with the comprehensive plans of
362adjacent municipalities, the county, adjacent counties, or the
363region, with the state comprehensive plan and with the
364applicable regional water supply plan approved pursuant to s.
365373.0361, as the case may require and as such adopted plans or
366plans in preparation may exist. This element of the local
367comprehensive plan shall demonstrate consideration of the
368particular effects of the local plan, when adopted, upon the
369development of adjacent municipalities, the county, adjacent
370counties, or the region, or upon the state comprehensive plan,
371as the case may require.
372     a.  The intergovernmental coordination element shall
373provide for procedures for identifying and implementing to
374identify and implement joint planning areas, especially for the
375purpose of annexation, municipal incorporation, and joint
376infrastructure service areas.
377     b.  The intergovernmental coordination element must shall
378provide for recognition of campus master plans prepared pursuant
379to s. 1013.30 and airport master plans pursuant to paragraph
380(k).
381     c.  The intergovernmental coordination element may provide
382for a voluntary dispute resolution process, as established
383pursuant to s. 186.509, for bringing to closure in a timely
384manner intergovernmental disputes to closure in a timely manner.
385A local government may also develop and use an alternative local
386dispute resolution process for this purpose.
387     d.  The intergovernmental coordination element must provide
388for interlocal agreements, as established pursuant to s.
389333.03(1)(b).
390     2.  The intergovernmental coordination element shall
391further state principles and guidelines to be used in the
392accomplishment of coordination of the adopted comprehensive plan
393with the plans of school boards and other units of local
394government providing facilities and services but not having
395regulatory authority over the use of land. In addition, the
396intergovernmental coordination element shall describe joint
397processes for collaborative planning and decisionmaking on
398population projections and public school siting, the location
399and extension of public facilities subject to concurrency, and
400siting facilities with countywide significance, including
401locally unwanted land uses whose nature and identity are
402established in an agreement. Within 1 year of adopting their
403intergovernmental coordination elements, each county, all the
404municipalities within that county, the district school board,
405and any unit of local government service providers in that
406county shall establish by interlocal or other formal agreement
407executed by all affected entities, the joint processes described
408in this subparagraph consistent with their adopted
409intergovernmental coordination elements.
410     3.  To foster coordination between special districts and
411local general-purpose governments as local general-purpose
412governments implement local comprehensive plans, each
413independent special district must submit a public facilities
414report to the appropriate local government as required by s.
415189.415.
416     4.a.  Local governments must execute an interlocal
417agreement with the district school board, the county, and
418nonexempt municipalities pursuant to s. 163.31777. The local
419government shall amend the intergovernmental coordination
420element to provide that coordination between the local
421government and school board is pursuant to the agreement and
422shall state the obligations of the local government under the
423agreement.
424     b.  Plan amendments that comply with this subparagraph are
425exempt from the provisions of s. 163.3187(1).
426     5.  The state land planning agency shall establish a
427schedule for phased completion and transmittal of plan
428amendments to implement subparagraphs 1., 2., and 3. from all
429jurisdictions so as to accomplish their adoption by December 31,
4301999. A local government may complete and transmit its plan
431amendments to carry out these provisions prior to the scheduled
432date established by the state land planning agency. The plan
433amendments are exempt from the provisions of s. 163.3187(1).
434     6.  By January 1, 2004, any county having a population
435greater than 100,000, and the municipalities and special
436districts within that county, shall submit a report to the
437Department of Community Affairs which:
438     a.  Identifies all existing or proposed interlocal service
439delivery agreements regarding the following: education; sanitary
440sewer; public safety; solid waste; drainage; potable water;
441parks and recreation; and transportation facilities.
442     b.  Identifies any deficits or duplication in the provision
443of services within its jurisdiction, whether capital or
444operational. Upon request, the Department of Community Affairs
445shall provide technical assistance to the local governments in
446identifying deficits or duplication.
447     7.  Within 6 months after submission of the report, the
448Department of Community Affairs shall, through the appropriate
449regional planning council, coordinate a meeting of all local
450governments within the regional planning area to discuss the
451reports and potential strategies to remedy any identified
452deficiencies or duplications.
453     8.  Each local government shall update its
454intergovernmental coordination element based upon the findings
455in the report submitted pursuant to subparagraph 6. The report
456may be used as supporting data and analysis for the
457intergovernmental coordination element.
458     (j)  For each unit of local government within an urbanized
459area designated for purposes of s. 339.175, a transportation
460element, which shall be prepared and adopted in lieu of the
461requirements of paragraph (b) and paragraphs (7)(a), (b), (c),
462and (d) and which shall address the following issues:
463     1.  Traffic circulation, including major thoroughfares and
464other routes, including bicycle and pedestrian ways.
465     2.  All alternative modes of travel, such as public
466transportation, pedestrian, and bicycle travel.
467     3.  Parking facilities.
468     4.  Aviation, rail, seaport facilities, access to those
469facilities, and intermodal terminals.
470     5.  The availability of facilities and services to serve
471existing land uses and the compatibility between future land use
472and transportation elements.
473     6.  The capability to evacuate the coastal population prior
474to an impending natural disaster.
475     7.  Airports, projected airport and aviation development,
476and land use compatibility around airports that includes areas
477defined in s. 333.01 and described in s. 333.02.
478     8.  An identification of land use densities, building
479intensities, and transportation management programs to promote
480public transportation systems in designated public
481transportation corridors so as to encourage population densities
482sufficient to support such systems.
483     9.  May include transportation corridors, as defined in s.
484334.03, intended for future transportation facilities designated
485pursuant to s. 337.273. If transportation corridors are
486designated, the local government may adopt a transportation
487corridor management ordinance.
488     Section 3.  Subsections (5), (8), (9), and (12), paragraph
489(e) of subsection (13), and subsection (16) of section 163.3180,
490Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraph (f) is added to
491subsection (15) of that section, to read:
492     163.3180  Concurrency.--
493     (5)(a)  Countervailing planning and public policy
494goals.--The Legislature finds that under limited circumstances
495dealing with transportation facilities, countervailing planning
496and public policy goals may come into conflict with the
497requirement that adequate public transportation facilities and
498services be available concurrent with the impacts of such
499development. The Legislature further finds that often the
500unintended result of the concurrency requirement for
501transportation facilities is often the discouragement of urban
502infill development and redevelopment. Such unintended results
503directly conflict with the goals and policies of the state
504comprehensive plan and the intent of this part. The Legislature
505finds that in urban centers transportation cannot be effectively
506managed and mobility cannot be improved solely through expansion
507of roadway capacity, that in many urban areas the expansion of
508roadway capacity is not always physically or financially
509possible, and that a range of transportation alternatives are
510essential to satisfy mobility needs, reduce congestion, and
511achieve healthy, vibrant centers. Therefore, exceptions from the
512concurrency requirement for transportation facilities may be
513granted as provided by this subsection.
514     (b)  Geographic applicability of transportation concurrency
515exception areas.--
516     1.  Transportation concurrency exception areas are
517established for those geographic areas identified in the
518comprehensive plan for urban infill development, urban
519redevelopment, downtown revitalization, or urban infill and
520redevelopment under s. 163.2517.
521     2.  A local government may grant an exception from the
522concurrency requirement for transportation facilities if the
523proposed development is otherwise consistent with the adopted
524local government comprehensive plan and is a project that
525promotes public transportation or is located within an area
526designated in the comprehensive plan as for:
527     1.  Urban infill development;
528     2.  Urban redevelopment;
529     3.  Downtown revitalization;
530     4.  Urban infill and redevelopment under s. 163.2517; or
531     5.  an urban service area specifically designated as a
532transportation concurrency exception area which includes lands
533appropriate for compact, contiguous urban development, which
534does not exceed the amount of land needed to accommodate the
535projected population growth at densities consistent with the
536adopted comprehensive plan within the 10-year planning period,
537and which is served or is planned to be served with public
538facilities and services as provided by the capital improvements
539element.
540     (c)  Projects with special part-time demands.--The
541Legislature also finds that developments located within urban
542infill, urban redevelopment, existing urban service, or downtown
543revitalization areas or areas designated as urban infill and
544redevelopment areas under s. 163.2517 which pose only special
545part-time demands on the transportation system should be
546excepted from the concurrency requirement for transportation
547facilities. A special part-time demand is one that does not have
548more than 200 scheduled events during any calendar year and does
549not affect the 100 highest traffic volume hours.
550     (d)  Establishment of concurrency exception areas.--For
551transportation concurrency exception areas adopted pursuant to
552subparagraph (b)2., the following requirements apply:
553     1.  A local government shall establish guidelines in the
554comprehensive plan for granting the transportation concurrency
555exceptions that authorized in paragraphs (b) and (c) and
556subsections (7) and (15) which must be consistent with and
557support a comprehensive strategy adopted in the plan to promote
558and facilitate development consistent with the planning and
559public policy goals upon which the establishment of the
560concurrency exception areas was predicated the purpose of the
561exceptions.
562     2.(e)  The local government shall adopt into the plan and
563implement long-term strategies to support and fund mobility
564within the designated exception area, including alternative
565modes of transportation. The plan amendment must also
566demonstrate how strategies will support the purpose of the
567exception and how mobility within the designated exception area
568will be provided. In addition, the strategies must address urban
569design; appropriate land use mixes, including intensity and
570density; and network connectivity plans needed to promote urban
571infill, redevelopment, or downtown revitalization. The
572comprehensive plan amendment designating the concurrency
573exception area must be accompanied by data and analysis
574justifying the size of the area.
575     3.(f)  Prior to the designation of a concurrency exception
576area pursuant to subparagraph (b)2., the state land planning
577agency and the Department of Transportation shall be consulted
578by the local government to assess the effect impact that the
579proposed exception area is expected to have on the adopted
580level-of-service standards established for Strategic Intermodal
581System facilities, as defined in s. 339.64, and roadway
582facilities funded in accordance with s. 339.2819. Further, the
583local government shall, in consultation with the state land
584planning agency and the Department of Transportation, develop a
585plan to mitigate any impacts to the Strategic Intermodal System,
586including, if appropriate, access management, parallel reliever
587roads, transportation demand management, and other measures.
588     4.  Local governments shall also meet with adjacent
589jurisdictions that may be impacted by the designation to discuss
590strategies to minimize impacts the development of a long-term
591concurrency management system pursuant to subsection (9) and s.
592163.3177(3)(d). The exceptions may be available only within the
593specific geographic area of the jurisdiction designated in the
594plan. Pursuant to s. 163.3184, any affected person may challenge
595a plan amendment establishing these guidelines and the areas
596within which an exception could be granted.
597     (g)  Transportation concurrency exception areas existing
598prior to July 1, 2005, must, at a minimum, meet the provisions
599of this section by July 1, 2006, or at the time of the
600comprehensive plan update pursuant to the evaluation and
601appraisal report, whichever occurs last.
602     (8)  When assessing the transportation impacts of proposed
603urban redevelopment within an established existing urban service
604area, 150 110 percent of the actual transportation impact caused
605by the previously existing development must be reserved for the
606redevelopment, even if the previously existing development has a
607lesser or nonexisting impact pursuant to the calculations of the
608local government. Redevelopment requiring less than 150 110
609percent of the previously existing capacity may shall not be
610prohibited due to the reduction of transportation levels of
611service below the adopted standards. This does not preclude the
612appropriate assessment of fees or accounting for the impacts
613within the concurrency management system and capital
614improvements program of the affected local government. This
615paragraph does not affect local government requirements for
616appropriate development permits.
617     (9)(a)  Each local government may adopt as a part of its
618plan, long-term transportation and school concurrency management
619systems with a planning period of up to 10 years for specially
620designated districts or areas where significant backlogs exist.
621The plan may include interim level-of-service standards on
622certain facilities and shall rely on the local government's
623schedule of capital improvements for up to 10 years as a basis
624for issuing development orders that authorize commencement of
625construction in these designated districts or areas. The
626concurrency management system must be designed to correct
627existing deficiencies and set priorities for addressing
628backlogged facilities. For a long-term transportation system,
629the local government shall consult with the appropriate
630metropolitan planning organization in setting priorities for
631addressing backlogged facilities. The concurrency management
632system must be financially feasible and consistent with other
633portions of the adopted local plan, including the future land
634use map.
635     (b)  If a local government has a transportation or school
636facility backlog for existing development which cannot be
637adequately addressed in a 10-year plan, the state land planning
638agency may allow it to develop a plan and long-term schedule of
639capital improvements covering up to 15 years for good and
640sufficient cause, based on a general comparison between that
641local government and all other similarly situated local
642jurisdictions, using the following factors:
643     1.  The extent of the backlog.
644     2.  For roads, whether the backlog is on local or state
645roads.
646     3.  The cost of eliminating the backlog.
647     4.  The local government's tax and other revenue-raising
648efforts.
649     (c)  The local government may issue approvals to commence
650construction notwithstanding this section, consistent with and
651in areas that are subject to a long-term concurrency management
652system.
653     (d)  If the local government adopts a long-term concurrency
654management system, it must evaluate the system periodically. At
655a minimum, the local government must assess its progress toward
656improving levels of service within the long-term concurrency
657management district or area in the evaluation and appraisal
658report and determine any changes that are necessary to
659accelerate progress in meeting acceptable levels of service.
660     (12)(a)  A development of regional impact may satisfy the
661transportation concurrency requirements of the local
662comprehensive plan, the local government's concurrency
663management system, and s. 380.06 by payment of a proportionate-
664share contribution for local and regionally significant traffic
665impacts, if:
666     1.(a)  The development of regional impact which, based on
667its location or mix of land uses, is designed to encourage
668pedestrian or other nonautomotive modes of transportation;
669     2.(b)  The proportionate-share contribution for local and
670regionally significant traffic impacts is sufficient to pay for
671one or more required mobility improvements that will benefit a
672regionally significant transportation facility;
673     3.(c)  The owner and developer of the development of
674regional impact pays or assures payment of the proportionate-
675share contribution; and
676     4.(d)  If the regionally significant transportation
677facility to be constructed or improved is under the maintenance
678authority of a governmental entity, as defined by s. 334.03(12),
679other than the local government with jurisdiction over the
680development of regional impact, the developer is required to
681enter into a binding and legally enforceable commitment to
682transfer funds to the governmental entity having maintenance
683authority or to otherwise assure construction or improvement of
684the facility.
685     (b)  The proportionate-share contribution may be applied to
686any transportation facility to satisfy the provisions of this
687subsection and the local comprehensive plan, but, for the
688purposes of this subsection, the amount of the proportionate-
689share contribution shall be calculated based upon the cumulative
690number of trips from the proposed development expected to reach
691roadways during the peak hour from the complete buildout of a
692stage or phase being approved, divided by the change in the peak
693hour maximum service volume of roadways resulting from
694construction of an improvement necessary to maintain the adopted
695level of service, multiplied by the construction cost, at the
696time of developer payment, of the improvement necessary to
697maintain the adopted level of service. For purposes of this
698subsection, "construction cost" includes all associated costs of
699the improvement. Proportionate-share mitigation shall be limited
700to ensure that a development of regional impact meeting the
701requirements of this subsection mitigates its impact on the
702transportation system but is not responsible for the additional
703cost of reducing or eliminating backlogs. This subsection also
704applies to Florida Quality Developments pursuant to s. 380.061
705and to detailed specific area plans implementing optional sector
706plans pursuant to s. 163.3245.
707     (c)  For purposes of this subsection, the term "backlogged
708transportation facility" means a facility on which the adopted
709level-of-service standard is exceeded by the existing trips plus
710committed trips. A developer may not be required to fund or
711construct proportionate-share mitigation for any backlogged
712transportation facility that is more extensive than mitigation
713necessary to offset the impact of the development project in
714question.
715     (d)  If the cumulative number of trips used in the formula
716include the earlier stage or phase trips, calculation of the
717proposed development's future mitigation costs shall account for
718any previous stage or phase mitigation payments required by the
719development order and provided by the developer. At the time the
720later stage or phase calculations are made, previous mitigation
721payments shall be calculated in present day dollars. To the
722extent that previous mitigation included the donation of land or
723developer constructed improvement, for purposes of this
724subsection, the term "present day dollars" means the fair market
725value of the right-of-way at the time of donation or the actual
726dollar value of the construction improvements at the date of
727completion adjusted by the Consumer Price Index.
728     (13)  School concurrency shall be established on a
729districtwide basis and shall include all public schools in the
730district and all portions of the district, whether located in a
731municipality or an unincorporated area unless exempt from the
732public school facilities element pursuant to s. 163.3177(12).
733The application of school concurrency to development shall be
734based upon the adopted comprehensive plan, as amended. All local
735governments within a county, except as provided in paragraph
736(f), shall adopt and transmit to the state land planning agency
737the necessary plan amendments, along with the interlocal
738agreement, for a compliance review pursuant to s. 163.3184(7)
739and (8). The minimum requirements for school concurrency are the
740following:
741     (e)  Availability standard.--Consistent with the public
742welfare, a local government may not deny an application for site
743plan, final subdivision approval, or the functional equivalent
744for a development or phase of a development authorizing
745residential development for failure to achieve and maintain the
746level-of-service standard for public school capacity in a local
747school concurrency management system where adequate school
748facilities will be in place or under actual construction within
7493 years after the issuance of final subdivision or site plan
750approval, or the functional equivalent. School concurrency is
751satisfied if the developer executes a legally binding commitment
752to provide mitigation proportionate to the demand for public
753school facilities to be created by actual development of the
754property, including, but not limited to, the options described
755in subparagraph 1. Options for proportionate-share mitigation of
756impacts on public school facilities must be established in the
757public school facilities element and the interlocal agreement
758pursuant to s. 163.31777.
759     1.  Appropriate mitigation options include the contribution
760of land; the construction, expansion, or payment for land
761acquisition or construction of a public school facility; the
762construction of a charter school that complies with the
763requirements of s. 1002.33(18)(f); or the creation of mitigation
764banking based on the construction of a public school facility in
765exchange for the right to sell capacity credits. Such options
766must include execution by the applicant and the local government
767of a development agreement that constitutes a legally binding
768commitment to pay proportionate-share mitigation for the
769additional residential units approved by the local government in
770a development order and actually developed on the property,
771taking into account residential density allowed on the property
772prior to the plan amendment that increased the overall
773residential density. The district school board must be a party
774to such an agreement. As a condition of its entry into such a
775development agreement, the local government may require the
776landowner to agree to continuing renewal of the agreement upon
777its expiration.
778     2.  If the education facilities plan and the public
779educational facilities element authorize a contribution of land;
780the construction, expansion, or payment for land acquisition; or
781the construction or expansion of a public school facility, or a
782portion thereof; or the construction of a charter school that
783complies with the requirements of s. 1002.33(18)(f), as
784proportionate-share mitigation, the local government shall
785credit such a contribution, construction, expansion, or payment
786toward any other impact fee or exaction imposed by local
787ordinance for the same need, on a dollar-for-dollar basis at
788fair market value.
789     3.  Any proportionate-share mitigation must be directed by
790the school board toward a school capacity improvement identified
791in a financially feasible 5-year district work plan that
792satisfies the demands created by the development in accordance
793with a binding developer's agreement.
794     4.  If a development is precluded from commencing because
795there is inadequate classroom capacity to mitigate the impacts
796of the development, the development may nevertheless commence if
797there are accelerated facilities in an approved capital
798improvement element scheduled for construction in year four or
799later of such plan which, when built, will mitigate the proposed
800development, or if such accelerated facilities will be in the
801next annual update of the capital facilities element, the
802developer enters into a binding, financially guaranteed
803agreement with the school district to construct an accelerated
804facility within the first 3 years of an approved capital
805improvement plan, and the cost of the school facility is equal
806to or greater than the development's proportionate share. When
807the completed school facility is conveyed to the school
808district, the developer shall receive impact fee credits usable
809within the zone where the facility is constructed or any
810attendance zone contiguous with or adjacent to the zone where
811the facility is constructed.
812     5.  This paragraph does not limit the authority of a local
813government to deny a development permit or its functional
814equivalent pursuant to its home rule regulatory powers, except
815as provided in this part.
816     (15)
817     (f)  The state land planning agency may designate up to
818five local governments as Urban Placemaking Initiative Pilot
819Projects. The purpose of the pilot project program is to assist
820local communities with redevelopment of primarily single-use
821suburban areas that surround strategic corridors and crossroads,
822to create livable, sustainable communities with a sense of
823place. Pilot communities must have a county population of at
824least 350,000, be able to demonstrate an ability to administer
825the pilot project, and have appropriate potential redevelopment
826areas suitable for the pilot project. Recognizing that both the
827form of existing development patterns and strict application of
828transportation concurrency requirements create obstacles to such
829redevelopment, the pilot project program shall further the
830ability of such communities to cultivate mixed-use and form-
831based communities that integrate all modes of transportation.
832The pilot project program shall provide an alternative
833regulatory framework that allows for the creation of a
834multimodal concurrency district that over the planning time
835period allows pilot project communities to incrementally realize
836the goals of the redevelopment area by guiding redevelopment of
837parcels and cultivating multimodal development in targeted
838transitional suburban areas. The Department of Transportation
839shall provide technical support to the state land planning
840agency and the department and the agency shall provide technical
841assistance to the local governments in the implementation of the
842pilot projects.
843     1.  Each pilot project community shall designate the
844criteria for designation of urban placemaking redevelopment
845areas in the future land use element of their comprehensive
846plan. Such redevelopment areas must be within an adopted urban
847service boundary or functional equivalent. Each pilot project
848community shall also adopt comprehensive plan amendments that
849set forth criteria for development of the urban placemaking
850areas that contain land use and transportation strategies,
851including, but not limited to, the community design elements set
852forth in paragraph (c). A pilot project community shall
853undertake a process of public engagement to coordinate community
854vision, citizen interest, and development goals for developments
855within the urban placemaking redevelopment areas.
856     2.  Each pilot project community may assign transportation
857concurrency or trip generation credits and impact fee exemptions
858or reductions and establish concurrency exceptions for
859developments that meet the adopted comprehensive plan criteria
860for urban placemaking redevelopment areas. The provisions of
861paragraph (c) apply to designated urban placemaking
862redevelopment areas.
863     3.  The state land planning agency shall submit a report by
864March 1, 2011, to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and
865the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the status of
866each approved pilot project. The report must identify factors
867that indicate whether or not the pilot project program has
868demonstrated any success in urban placemaking and redevelopment
869initiatives and whether the pilot project should be expanded for
870use by other local governments.
871     (16)  It is the intent of the Legislature to provide a
872method by which the impacts of development on transportation
873facilities can be mitigated by the cooperative efforts of the
874public and private sectors. The methodology used to calculate
875proportionate fair-share mitigation under this section shall be
876as provided for in subsection (12) or a vehicle-miles-traveled
877or people-miles-traveled methodology or an alternative
878methodology, identified by the local government ordinance
879provided for in paragraph (a), that ensures that development
880impacts on transportation facilities are mitigated but that
881future development is not responsible for the additional cost of
882reducing or eliminating backlogs.
883     (a)  By December 1, 2006, Each local government shall adopt
884by ordinance a methodology for assessing proportionate fair-
885share mitigation options. By December 1, 2005, the Department of
886Transportation shall develop a model transportation concurrency
887management ordinance with methodologies for assessing
888proportionate fair-share mitigation options.
889     (b)1.  In its transportation concurrency management system,
890a local government shall, by December 1, 2006, include
891methodologies that will be applied to calculate proportionate
892fair-share mitigation or a vehicle-miles-traveled or people-
893miles-traveled methodology or an alternative methodology,
894identified by the local government ordinance provided for in
895paragraph (a). A developer may choose to satisfy all
896transportation concurrency requirements by contributing or
897paying proportionate fair-share mitigation if transportation
898facilities or facility segments identified as mitigation for
899traffic impacts are specifically identified for funding in the
9005-year schedule of capital improvements in the capital
901improvements element of the local plan or the long-term
902concurrency management system or if such contributions or
903payments to such facilities or segments are reflected in the 5-
904year schedule of capital improvements in the next regularly
905scheduled update of the capital improvements element. Updates to
906the 5-year capital improvements element which reflect
907proportionate fair-share contributions may not be found not in
908compliance based on ss. 163.3164(32) and 163.3177(3) if
909additional contributions, payments or funding sources are
910reasonably anticipated during a period not to exceed 10 years to
911fully mitigate impacts on the transportation facilities.
912     2.  Proportionate fair-share mitigation shall be applied as
913a credit against impact fees to the extent that all or a portion
914of the proportionate fair-share mitigation is used to address
915the same capital infrastructure improvements contemplated by the
916local government's impact fee ordinance.
917     (c)  Proportionate fair-share mitigation includes, without
918limitation, separately or collectively, private funds,
919contributions of land, and construction and contribution of
920facilities and may include public funds as determined by the
921local government. Proportionate fair-share mitigation may be
922directed toward one or more specific transportation improvements
923reasonably related to the mobility demands created by the
924development and such improvements may address one or more modes
925of travel. The fair market value of the proportionate fair-share
926mitigation shall not differ based on the form of mitigation. A
927local government may not require a development to pay more than
928its proportionate fair-share contribution regardless of the
929method of mitigation. Proportionate fair-share mitigation shall
930be limited to ensure that a development meeting the requirements
931of this section mitigates its impact on the transportation
932system but is not responsible for the additional cost of
933reducing or eliminating backlogs. For purposes of this
934subsection, the term "backlogged transportation facility" means
935a facility on which the adopted level-of-service standard is
936exceeded by the existing trips plus committed trips. A developer
937may not be required to fund or construct proportionate-share
938mitigation for any backlogged transportation facility that is
939more extensive than mitigation necessary to offset the impact of
940the development project in question.
941     (d)  This subsection does not require a local government to
942approve a development that is not otherwise qualified for
943approval pursuant to the applicable local comprehensive plan and
944land development regulations.
945     (e)  Mitigation for development impacts to facilities on
946the Strategic Intermodal System made pursuant to this subsection
947requires the concurrence of the Department of Transportation.
948     (f)  If the funds in an adopted 5-year capital improvements
949element are insufficient to fully fund construction of a
950transportation improvement required by the local government's
951concurrency management system, a local government and a
952developer may still enter into a binding proportionate-share
953agreement authorizing the developer to construct that amount of
954development on which the proportionate share is calculated if
955the proportionate-share amount in such agreement is sufficient
956to pay for one or more improvements which will, in the opinion
957of the governmental entity or entities maintaining the
958transportation facilities, significantly benefit the impacted
959transportation system. The improvements funded by the
960proportionate-share component must be adopted into the 5-year
961capital improvements schedule of the comprehensive plan at the
962next annual capital improvements element update. The funding of
963any improvements that significantly benefit the impacted
964transportation system satisfies concurrency requirements as a
965mitigation of the development's impact upon the overall
966transportation system even if there remains a failure of
967concurrency on other impacted facilities.
968     (g)  Except as provided in subparagraph (b)1., this section
969may not prohibit the state land planning agency Department of
970Community Affairs from finding other portions of the capital
971improvements element amendments not in compliance as provided in
972this chapter.
973     (h)  The provisions of this subsection do not apply to a
974development of regional impact satisfying the requirements of
975subsection (12).
976     (i)  If the cumulative number of trips used in the formula
977includes the earlier stage or phase trips, calculation of the
978proposed development's future mitigation costs shall account for
979any previous stage or phase mitigation payments required by the
980development order and provided by the developer. At the time the
981later stage or phase calculations are made, previous mitigation
982payments shall be calculated in present day dollars. To the
983extent previous mitigation included the donation of land or
984developer constructed improvement, for purposes of this
985subsection, the term "present day dollars" means the fair market
986value of the right-of-way at the time of donation, or the actual
987dollar value of the construction improvements at the date of
988completion adjusted by the Consumer Price Index.
989     Section 4.  (1)  The Legislature finds that the existing
990transportation concurrency system has not adequately addressed
991the state's transportation needs in an effective, predictable,
992and equitable manner and is not producing a sustainable
993transportation system for the state. The current system is
994complex, lacks uniformity among jurisdictions, is too focused on
995roadways to the detriment of desired land use patterns and
996transportation alternatives, and frequently prevents the
997attainment of important growth management goals. The state,
998therefore, should consider a different transportation
999concurrency approach that uses a mobility fee based on vehicle-
1000miles or people-miles traveled. The mobility fee shall be
1001designed to provide for mobility needs, ensure that development
1002provides mitigation for its impacts on the transportation
1003system, and promote compact, mixed-use, and energy-efficient
1004development. The mobility fee shall be used to fund improvements
1005to the transportation system.
1006     (2)  The Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental
1007Relations shall study and develop a methodology for a mobility
1008fee system. The committee shall contract with a qualified
1009transportation engineering firm or with a state university for
1010the purpose of studying and developing a uniform mobility fee
1011for statewide application to replace the existing transportation
1012concurrency management systems adopted and implemented by local
1013governments.
1014     (a)  To assist the committee in its study, a mobility fee
1015pilot program shall be authorized in Duval County, Nassau
1016County, St. Johns County, and Clay County and the municipalities
1017in such counties. The committee shall coordinate with
1018participating local governments to implement a mobility fee on
1019more than a single-jurisdiction basis. The local governments
1020shall work with the committee to provide practical, field-tested
1021experience in implementing this new approach to transportation
1022concurrency, transportation impact fees, and proportionate-share
1023mitigation. The committee and local governments shall make every
1024effort to implement the pilot program no later than October 1,
10252008. Data from the pilot program shall be provided to the
1026committee and the contracted entity for review and
1027consideration.
1028     (b)  No later than January 15, 2009, the committee shall
1029provide an interim report to the President of the Senate and the
1030Speaker of the House of Representatives reporting the status of
1031the mobility fee study. The interim report shall discuss
1032progress in the development of the fee, identify issues for
1033which additional legislative guidance is needed, and recommend
1034any interim measures that may need to be addressed to improve
1035the current transportation concurrency system that could be
1036taken prior to the final report in 2010.
1037     (c)  On or before November 15, 2009, the committee shall
1038provide to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
1039House of Representatives a final report and recommendations
1040regarding the methodology, application, and implementation of a
1041mobility fee.
1042     (3)  The study and mobility fees levied pursuant to the
1043pilot program shall focus on and the fee shall implement, to the
1044extent possible:
1045     (a)  The amount, distribution, and timing of vehicle miles
1046and people miles traveled, applying professionally accepted
1047standards and practices in the disciplines of land use and
1048transportation planning and the requirements of constitutional
1049and statutory law.
1050     (b)  The development of an equitable mobility fee that
1051provides funding for future mobility needs whereby new
1052development mitigates in approximate proportionality for its
1053impacts on the transportation system yet is not delayed or held
1054accountable for system backlogs or failures that are not
1055directly attributable to the proposed development.
1056     (c)  The replacement of transportation financial
1057feasibility obligations, proportionate fair-share contributions,
1058and locally adopted transportation impact fees with the mobility
1059fee such that a single transportation fee, whether or not based
1060on number of trips or vehicle miles traveled, may be applied
1061uniformly on a statewide basis.
1062     (d)  The ability for developer contributions of land for
1063right-of-way or developer-funded improvements to the
1064transportation network to be recognized as credits against the
1065mobility fee through mutually acceptable agreements reached with
1066the impacted jurisdictions.
1067     (e)  An equitable methodology for distribution of mobility
1068fee proceeds among those jurisdictions responsible for
1069construction and maintenance of the impacted facilities such
1070that 100 percent of the collected mobility fees are used for
1071improvements to the overall transportation network of the
1072impacted jurisdictions.
1073     Section 5.  Paragraphs (e) and (f) are added to subsection
1074(3) of section 163.31801, Florida Statutes, and subsection (5)
1075is added to that section, to read:
1076     163.31801  Impact fees; short title; intent; definitions;
1077ordinances levying impact fees.--
1078     (3)  An impact fee adopted by ordinance of a county or
1079municipality or by resolution of a special district must, at
1080minimum:
1081     (e)  Demonstrate a reasonable connection or a rational
1082nexus between the anticipated need for the additional capital
1083facilities and the growth generated by the new development.
1084     (f)  Demonstrate a reasonable connection or a rational
1085nexus between how the collected funds are going to be spent and
1086the benefits received by the new development from those funds.
1087     (5)  In any action challenging the validity of an impact
1088fee, the challenger shall have the burden of proving the
1089validity of the impact fee by a preponderance of the evidence
1090that the impact fee was not adopted in accordance with the
1091requirements established by this section.
1092     Section 6.  Subsections (3) and (4), paragraphs (a) and (d)
1093of subsection (6), paragraph (a) of subsection (7), paragraphs
1094(b) and (c) of subsection (15), and subsections (17) and (18)  
1095of section 163.3184, Florida Statutes, are amended, and
1096subsections (20) and (21) are added to that section, to read:
1097     163.3184  Process for adoption of comprehensive plan or
1098plan amendment.--
1099     (3)  LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRANSMITTAL OF PROPOSED PLAN OR
1100AMENDMENT.--
1101     (a)  Effective January 1, 2009, prior to filing an
1102application for a future land use map amendment, an applicant
1103must conduct a neighborhood meeting to present, discuss, and
1104solicit public comment on a proposed amendment. The meeting
1105shall be conducted at least 30 and no more than 60 days before
1106the application for the amendment is filed with the local
1107government. At a minimum, the meeting shall be noticed and
1108conducted in accordance with the following:
1109     1.  Notification by the applicant must be mailed at least
111010 but no more than 14 days prior to the meeting to all persons
1111who own property within 500 feet of the property subject to the
1112proposed amendment as such information is maintained by the
1113county tax assessor, which list shall conclusively establish the
1114required recipients.
1115     2.  Notice must be published by the applicant in accordance
1116with s. 125.66(4)(b)2. or s. 166.041(3)(c)2.b.
1117     3.  Notice must be posted on the jurisdiction's web page,
1118if available.
1119     4.  Notice must be mailed by the applicant to the list of
1120home owner or condominium associations maintained by the
1121jurisdiction, if any.
1122     5.  The meeting must be conducted by the applicant at an
1123accessible and convenient location.
1124     6.  A sign-in list of all attendees must be maintained.
1125
1126This paragraph applies to applications for a map amendment filed
1127after January 1, 2009.
1128     (b)  At least 15 but no more than 45 days before the local
1129governing body's scheduled adoption hearing, the applicant shall
1130conduct a second noticed community or neighborhood meeting to
1131present and discuss the map amendment application, including any
1132changes made to the proposed amendment after the first community
1133or neighborhood meeting. Direct mail notice by the applicant at
1134least 10 but no more than 14 days prior to the meeting shall
1135only be required for those who signed in at the preapplication
1136meeting and those whose names are on the sign-in sheet from the
1137transmittal hearing pursuant to paragraph (15)(c); otherwise,
1138notice shall be by newspaper advertisement in accordance with s.
1139125.66(4)(b)2. and s. 166.041(3)(c)2.b. Prior to the adoption
1140hearing, the applicant shall file with the local government a
1141written certification or verification that the second meeting
1142has been noticed and conducted in accordance with this
1143paragraph. This paragraph applies to applications for a map
1144amendment filed after January 1, 2009.
1145     (c)  The neighborhood meetings required in this subsection
1146shall not apply to small scale amendments as described in s.
1147163.3187 unless a local government, by ordinance, adopts a
1148procedure for holding a neighborhood meeting as part of the
1149small scale amendment process. In no event shall more than one
1150such meeting be required.
1151     (d)(a)  Each local governing body shall transmit the
1152complete proposed comprehensive plan or plan amendment to the
1153state land planning agency, the appropriate regional planning
1154council and water management district, the Department of
1155Environmental Protection, the Department of State, and the
1156Department of Transportation, and, in the case of municipal
1157plans, to the appropriate county, and, in the case of county
1158plans, to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the
1159Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, immediately
1160following a public hearing pursuant to subsection (15) as
1161specified in the state land planning agency's procedural rules.
1162The local governing body shall also transmit a copy of the
1163complete proposed comprehensive plan or plan amendment to any
1164other unit of local government or government agency in the state
1165that has filed a written request with the governing body for the
1166plan or plan amendment. The local government may request a
1167review by the state land planning agency pursuant to subsection
1168(6) at the time of the transmittal of an amendment.
1169     (e)(b)  A local governing body shall not transmit portions
1170of a plan or plan amendment unless it has previously provided to
1171all state agencies designated by the state land planning agency
1172a complete copy of its adopted comprehensive plan pursuant to
1173subsection (7) and as specified in the agency's procedural
1174rules. In the case of comprehensive plan amendments, the local
1175governing body shall transmit to the state land planning agency,
1176the appropriate regional planning council and water management
1177district, the Department of Environmental Protection, the
1178Department of State, and the Department of Transportation, and,
1179in the case of municipal plans, to the appropriate county and,
1180in the case of county plans, to the Fish and Wildlife
1181Conservation Commission and the Department of Agriculture and
1182Consumer Services the materials specified in the state land
1183planning agency's procedural rules and, in cases in which the
1184plan amendment is a result of an evaluation and appraisal report
1185adopted pursuant to s. 163.3191, a copy of the evaluation and
1186appraisal report. Local governing bodies shall consolidate all
1187proposed plan amendments into a single submission for each of
1188the two plan amendment adoption dates during the calendar year
1189pursuant to s. 163.3187.
1190     (f)(c)  A local government may adopt a proposed plan
1191amendment previously transmitted pursuant to this subsection,
1192unless review is requested or otherwise initiated pursuant to
1193subsection (6).
1194     (g)(d)  In cases in which a local government transmits
1195multiple individual amendments that can be clearly and legally
1196separated and distinguished for the purpose of determining
1197whether to review the proposed amendment, and the state land
1198planning agency elects to review several or a portion of the
1199amendments and the local government chooses to immediately adopt
1200the remaining amendments not reviewed, the amendments
1201immediately adopted and any reviewed amendments that the local
1202government subsequently adopts together constitute one amendment
1203cycle in accordance with s. 163.3187(1).
1204     (4)  INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW.--The governmental agencies
1205specified in paragraph (3)(d)(a) shall provide comments to the
1206state land planning agency within 30 days after receipt by the
1207state land planning agency of the complete proposed plan
1208amendment. If the plan or plan amendment includes or relates to
1209the public school facilities element pursuant to s.
1210163.3177(12), the state land planning agency shall submit a copy
1211to the Office of Educational Facilities of the Commissioner of
1212Education for review and comment. The appropriate regional
1213planning council shall also provide its written comments to the
1214state land planning agency within 45 30 days after receipt by
1215the state land planning agency of the complete proposed plan
1216amendment and shall specify any objections, recommendations for
1217modifications, and comments of any other regional agencies to
1218which the regional planning council may have referred the
1219proposed plan amendment. Written comments submitted by the
1220public within 45 30 days after notice of transmittal by the
1221local government of the proposed plan amendment will be
1222considered as if submitted by governmental agencies. All written
1223agency and public comments must be made part of the file
1224maintained under subsection (2).
1225     (6)  STATE LAND PLANNING AGENCY REVIEW.--
1226     (a)  The state land planning agency shall review a proposed
1227plan amendment upon request of a regional planning council,
1228affected person, or local government transmitting the plan
1229amendment. The request from the regional planning council or
1230affected person must be received within 45 30 days after
1231transmittal of the proposed plan amendment pursuant to
1232subsection (3). A regional planning council or affected person
1233requesting a review shall do so by submitting a written request
1234to the agency with a notice of the request to the local
1235government and any other person who has requested notice.
1236     (d)  The state land planning agency review shall identify
1237all written communications with the agency regarding the
1238proposed plan amendment. If the state land planning agency does
1239not issue such a review, it shall identify in writing to the
1240local government all written communications received 45 30 days
1241after transmittal. The written identification must include a
1242list of all documents received or generated by the agency, which
1243list must be of sufficient specificity to enable the documents
1244to be identified and copies requested, if desired, and the name
1245of the person to be contacted to request copies of any
1246identified document. The list of documents must be made a part
1247of the public records of the state land planning agency.
1248     (7)  LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF COMMENTS; ADOPTION OF PLAN
1249OR AMENDMENTS AND TRANSMITTAL.--
1250     (a)  The local government shall review the written comments
1251submitted to it by the state land planning agency, and any other
1252person, agency, or government. Any comments, recommendations, or
1253objections and any reply to them are shall be public documents,
1254a part of the permanent record in the matter, and admissible in
1255any proceeding in which the comprehensive plan or plan amendment
1256may be at issue. The local government, upon receipt of written
1257comments from the state land planning agency, shall have 120
1258days to adopt or adopt with changes the proposed comprehensive
1259plan or s. 163.3191 plan amendments. In the case of
1260comprehensive plan amendments other than those proposed pursuant
1261to s. 163.3191, the local government shall have 60 days to adopt
1262the amendment, adopt the amendment with changes, or determine
1263that it will not adopt the amendment. The adoption of the
1264proposed plan or plan amendment or the determination not to
1265adopt a plan amendment, other than a plan amendment proposed
1266pursuant to s. 163.3191, shall be made in the course of a public
1267hearing pursuant to subsection (15). If a local government fails
1268to adopt the comprehensive plan or plan amendment within the
1269timeframe set forth in this subsection, the plan or plan
1270amendment shall be deemed abandoned and may not be considered
1271until the next available amendment cycle pursuant to this
1272section and s. 163.3187. However, if the applicant or local
1273government, prior to the expiration of such timeframe, notifies
1274the state land planning agency that the applicant or local
1275government is proceeding in good faith to adopt the plan
1276amendment, the state land planning agency shall grant one or
1277more extensions not to exceed a total of 360 days from the
1278issuance of the agency report or comments. During the pendency
1279of any such extension, the applicant or local government shall
1280provide to the state land planning agency a status report every
128190 days identifying the items continuing to be addressed and the
1282manners in which the items are being addressed. The local
1283government shall transmit the complete adopted comprehensive
1284plan or plan amendment, including the names and addresses of
1285persons compiled pursuant to paragraph (15)(c), to the state
1286land planning agency as specified in the agency's procedural
1287rules within 10 working days after adoption. The local governing
1288body shall also transmit a copy of the adopted comprehensive
1289plan or plan amendment to the regional planning agency and to
1290any other unit of local government or governmental agency in the
1291state that has filed a written request with the governing body
1292for a copy of the plan or plan amendment.
1293     (15)  PUBLIC HEARINGS.--
1294     (b)  The local governing body shall hold at least two
1295advertised public hearings on the proposed comprehensive plan or
1296plan amendment as follows:
1297     1.  The first public hearing shall be held at the
1298transmittal stage pursuant to subsection (3). It shall be held
1299on a weekday at least 7 days after the day that the first
1300advertisement is published.
1301     2.  The second public hearing shall be held at the adoption
1302stage pursuant to subsection (7). It shall be held on a weekday
1303at least 5 days after the day that the second advertisement is
1304published. The comprehensive plan or plan amendment to be
1305considered for adoption must be available to the public at least
13065 days before the hearing, including through the local
1307government's website if one is maintained. The proposed
1308comprehensive plan amendment may not be altered during the 5
1309days prior to the hearing if the alteration increases the
1310permissible density, intensity, or height or decreases the
1311minimum buffers, setbacks, or open space. If the amendment is
1312altered in such manner during this time period or at the public
1313hearing, the public hearing shall be continued to the next
1314meeting of the local governing body. As part of the adoption
1315package, the local government shall certify in writing to the
1316state land planning agency that the local government has
1317complied with this subsection.
1318     (c)  The local government shall provide a sign-in form at
1319the transmittal hearing and at the adoption hearing for persons
1320to provide their names and mailing and electronic addresses. The
1321sign-in form must advise that any person providing the requested
1322information will receive a courtesy informational statement
1323concerning publications of the state land planning agency's
1324notice of intent. The local government shall add to the sign-in
1325form the name and address of any person who submits written
1326comments concerning the proposed plan or plan amendment during
1327the time period between the commencement of the transmittal
1328hearing and the end of the adoption hearing. It is the
1329responsibility of the person completing the form or providing
1330written comments to accurately, completely, and legibly provide
1331all information needed in order to receive the courtesy
1332informational statement.
1333     (17)  COMMUNITY VISION AND URBAN BOUNDARY PLAN
1334AMENDMENTS.--A local government that has adopted a community
1335vision and urban service boundary under s. 163.3177(13) and (14)
1336may adopt a plan amendment related to map amendments solely to
1337property within an urban service boundary in the manner
1338described in subsections (1), (2), (7), (14), (15), and (16) and
1339s. 163.3187(1)(b)3.a.(IV) and (V), b., and c. 163.3187(1)(c)1.d.
1340and e., 2., and 3., such that state and regional agency review
1341is eliminated. The department may not issue an objections,
1342recommendations, and comments report on proposed plan amendments
1343or a notice of intent on adopted plan amendments; however,
1344affected persons, as defined by paragraph (1)(a), may file a
1345petition for administrative review pursuant to the requirements
1346of s. 163.3187(3)(a) to challenge the compliance of an adopted
1347plan amendment. This subsection does not apply to any amendment
1348within an area of critical state concern, to any amendment that
1349increases residential densities allowable in high-hazard coastal
1350areas as defined in s. 163.3178(2)(h), or to a text change to
1351the goals, policies, or objectives of the local government's
1352comprehensive plan. Amendments submitted under this subsection
1353are exempt from the limitation on the frequency of plan
1354amendments in s. 163.3187.
1355     (18)  URBAN INFILL AND REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AMENDMENTS.--A
1356municipality that has a designated urban infill and
1357redevelopment area under s. 163.2517 may adopt a plan amendment
1358related to map amendments solely to property within a designated
1359urban infill and redevelopment area in the manner described in
1360subsections (1), (2), (7), (14), (15), and (16) and s.
1361163.3187(1)(b)3.a.(IV) and (V), b., and c. 163.3187(1)(c)1.d.
1362and e., 2., and 3., such that state and regional agency review
1363is eliminated. The department may not issue an objections,
1364recommendations, and comments report on proposed plan amendments
1365or a notice of intent on adopted plan amendments; however,
1366affected persons, as defined by paragraph (1)(a), may file a
1367petition for administrative review pursuant to the requirements
1368of s. 163.3187(3)(a) to challenge the compliance of an adopted
1369plan amendment. This subsection does not apply to any amendment
1370within an area of critical state concern, to any amendment that
1371increases residential densities allowable in high-hazard coastal
1372areas as defined in s. 163.3178(2)(h), or to a text change to
1373the goals, policies, or objectives of the local government's
1374comprehensive plan. Amendments submitted under this subsection
1375are exempt from the limitation on the frequency of plan
1376amendments in s. 163.3187.
1377     (20)  PLAN AMENDMENTS IN RURAL AREAS OF CRITICAL ECONOMIC
1378CONCERN.--
1379     (a)  A local government that is located in a rural area of
1380critical economic concern designated pursuant to s. 288.0656(7)
1381may request the Rural Economic Development Initiative to provide
1382assistance in the preparation of plan amendments that will
1383further economic activity consistent with the purpose of s.
1384288.0656.
1385     (b)  A plan map amendment related solely to property within
1386a site selected for a designated catalyst project pursuant to s.
1387288.0656(7)(c) and that receives Rural Economic Development
1388Initiative assistance pursuant to s. 288.0656(8) shall be deemed
1389a small scale amendment, is subject only to the requirements of
1390s. 163.3187(1)(b)3.b. and c., is not subject to the requirements
1391of subsections (3)-(11), and is exempt from s.
1392163.3187(1)(b)3.a. and from the limitation on the frequency of
1393plan amendments as provided in s. 163.3187. An affected person
1394as defined in this section may file a petition for
1395administrative review pursuant to s. 163.3187(3) to challenge
1396the compliance of an adopted plan amendment.
1397     (21)  RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.--
1398     (a)  The Legislature recognizes and finds that:
1399     1.  There are a number of facilities throughout the state
1400that process, produce, or aid in the production or distribution
1401of a variety of agriculturally based products, such as fruits,
1402vegetables, timber, and other crops, as well as juices, paper,
1403and building materials. These agricultural industrial facilities
1404often have a significant amount of existing associated
1405infrastructure that is used for the processing, production, or
1406distribution of agricultural products.
1407     2.  Such rural centers of economic development often are
1408located within or near communities in which the economy is
1409largely dependent upon agriculture and agriculturally based
1410products. These rural centers of economic development
1411significantly enhance the economy of such communities. However,
1412such agriculturally based communities often are
1413socioeconomically challenged and many such communities have been
1414designated as rural areas of critical economic concern.
1415     3.  If these rural centers of economic development are lost
1416and not replaced with other job-creating enterprises, these
1417communities will lose a substantial amount of their economies.
1418The economies and employment bases of such communities should be
1419diversified in order to protect against changes in national and
1420international agricultural markets, land use patterns, weather,
1421pests, or diseases or other events that could result in existing
1422facilities within rural centers of economic development being
1423permanently closed or temporarily shut down, ultimately
1424resulting in an economic crisis for these communities.
1425     4.  It is a compelling state interest to preserve the
1426viability of agriculture in this state and to protect rural and
1427agricultural communities and the state from the economic
1428upheaval that could result from short-term or long-term adverse
1429changes in the agricultural economy. An essential part of
1430protecting such communities while protecting viable agriculture
1431for the long term is to encourage diversification of the
1432employment base within rural centers of economic development for
1433the purpose of providing jobs that are not solely dependent upon
1434agricultural operations and to encourage the creation and
1435expansion of industries that use agricultural products in
1436innovative or new ways.
1437     (b)  For purposes of this subsection, the term "rural
1438center of economic development" means a developed parcel or
1439parcels of land in an unincorporated area:
1440     1.  On which there exists an operating facility or
1441facilities, which employ at least 200 full-time employees, in
1442the aggregate, used for processing and preparing for transport a
1443farm product as defined in s. 163.3162 or any biomass material
1444that could be used, directly or indirectly, for the production
1445of fuel, renewable energy, bioenergy, or alternative fuel as
1446defined by state law.
1447     2.  Including all contiguous lands at the site which are
1448not used for cultivation of crops, but are still associated with
1449the operation of such a facility or facilities.
1450     3.  Located within rural areas of critical economic concern
1451or located in a county any portion of which has been designated
1452as an area of critical economic concern as of January 1, 2008.
1453     (c)  Landowners within a rural center of economic
1454development may apply for an amendment to the local government
1455comprehensive plan for the purpose of expanding the industrial
1456uses or facilities associated with the center or expanding the
1457existing center to include industrial uses or facilities that
1458are not dependent upon agriculture but that would diversify the
1459local economy. An application for a comprehensive plan amendment
1460under this paragraph may not increase the physical area of the
1461rural center of economic development by more than 50 percent of
1462the existing area unless the applicant demonstrates that
1463infrastructure capacity exists or can be provided to support the
1464improvements as required by the applicable sections of this
1465chapter. Any single application may not increase the physical
1466area of the existing rural center of economic development by
1467more than 200 percent or 320 acres, whichever is less. Such
1468amendment must propose projects that would create, upon
1469completion, at least 50 new full-time jobs, and an applicant is
1470encouraged to propose projects that would promote and further
1471economic activity in the area consistent with the purpose of s.
1472288.0656. Such amendment is presumed to be consistent with rule
14739J-5.006(5), Florida Administrative Code, and may include land
1474uses and intensities of use consistent and compatible with the
1475uses and intensities of use of the rural center of economic
1476development. Such presumption may be rebutted by clear and
1477convincing evidence.
1478     Section 7.  Section 163.3187, Florida Statutes, is amended
1479to read:
1480     163.3187  Amendment of adopted comprehensive plan.--
1481     (1)  Amendments to comprehensive plans may be transmitted
1482and adopted pursuant to this part may be made not more than once
1483two times during any calendar year, with the following
1484exceptions except:
1485     (a)  Local governments may transmit and adopt the following
1486comprehensive plan amendments twice during any calendar year:
1487     1.  Future land use map amendments and special area
1488policies associated with those map amendments for land within
1489areas designated in the comprehensive plan for downtown
1490revitalization pursuant to s. 163.3164(25), urban redevelopment
1491pursuant to s. 163.3164(26), urban infill development pursuant
1492to s. 163.3164(27), urban infill and redevelopment pursuant to
1493s. 163.2517, or an urban service area pursuant to s.
1494163.3180(5)(b)2.
1495     2.  Any local government comprehensive plan amendment
1496establishing or implementing a rural land stewardship area
1497pursuant to s. 163.3177(11)(d) or a sector plan pursuant to s.
1498163.3245.
1499     (b)  The following amendments may be adopted by the local
1500government at any time during a calendar year without regard for
1501the frequency restrictions set forth in subparagraph (a)1.:
1502     1.(a)  Any local government comprehensive In the case of an
1503emergency, comprehensive plan amendments may be made more often
1504than twice during the calendar year if the additional plan
1505amendment that is enacted in case of emergency and receives the
1506approval of all of the members of the governing body. The term
1507"emergency" means any occurrence or threat thereof whether
1508accidental or natural, caused by humankind, in war or peace,
1509which results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the
1510population or substantial damage to or loss of property or
1511public funds.
1512     2.(b)  Any local government comprehensive plan amendments
1513directly related to a proposed development of regional impact,
1514including changes which have been determined to be substantial
1515deviations and including Florida Quality Developments pursuant
1516to s. 380.061, may be initiated by a local planning agency and
1517considered by the local governing body at the same time as the
1518application for development approval using the procedures
1519provided for local plan amendment in this section and applicable
1520local ordinances, without regard to statutory or local ordinance
1521limits on the frequency of consideration of amendments to the
1522local comprehensive plan. Nothing in this subsection shall be
1523deemed to require favorable consideration of a plan amendment
1524solely because it is related to a development of regional
1525impact.
1526     3.(c)  Any local government comprehensive plan amendments
1527directly related to proposed small scale development activities
1528may be approved without regard to statutory limits on the
1529frequency of consideration of amendments to the local
1530comprehensive plan. A small scale development amendment may be
1531adopted only under the following conditions:
1532     a.1.  The proposed amendment involves a use of 10 acres or
1533fewer and:
1534     (I)a.  The cumulative annual effect of the acreage for all
1535small scale development amendments adopted by the local
1536government shall not exceed:
1537     (A)(I)  A maximum of 120 acres in a local government that
1538contains areas specifically designated in the local
1539comprehensive plan for urban infill, urban redevelopment, or
1540downtown revitalization as defined in s. 163.3164, urban infill
1541and redevelopment areas designated under s. 163.2517,
1542transportation concurrency exception areas approved pursuant to
1543s. 163.3180(5), or regional activity centers and urban central
1544business districts approved pursuant to s. 380.06(2)(e);
1545however, amendments under this subparagraph paragraph may be
1546applied to no more than 60 acres annually of property outside
1547the designated areas listed in this sub-sub-sub-subparagraph
1548sub-sub-subparagraph. Amendments adopted pursuant to paragraph
1549(k) shall not be counted toward the acreage limitations for
1550small scale amendments under this paragraph.
1551     (B)(II)  A maximum of 80 acres in a local government that
1552does not contain any of the designated areas set forth in sub-
1553sub-sub-subparagraph (A) sub-sub-subparagraph (I).
1554     (C)(III)  A maximum of 120 acres in a county established
1555pursuant to s. 9, Art. VIII of the State Constitution.
1556     (II)b.  The proposed amendment does not involve the same
1557property granted a change within the prior 12 months.
1558     (III)c.  The proposed amendment does not involve the same
1559owner's property within 200 feet of property granted a change
1560within the prior 12 months.
1561     (IV)d.  The proposed amendment does not involve a text
1562change to the goals, policies, and objectives of the local
1563government's comprehensive plan, but only proposes a land use
1564change to the future land use map for a site-specific small
1565scale development activity.
1566     (V)e.  The property that is the subject of the proposed
1567amendment is not located within an area of critical state
1568concern, unless the project subject to the proposed amendment
1569involves the construction of affordable housing units meeting
1570the criteria of s. 420.0004(3), and is located within an area of
1571critical state concern designated by s. 380.0552 or by the
1572Administration Commission pursuant to s. 380.05(1). Such
1573amendment is not subject to the density limitations of sub-sub-
1574subparagraph (VI) sub-subparagraph f., and shall be reviewed by
1575the state land planning agency for consistency with the
1576principles for guiding development applicable to the area of
1577critical state concern where the amendment is located and is
1578shall not become effective until a final order is issued under
1579s. 380.05(6).
1580     (VI)f.  If the proposed amendment involves a residential
1581land use, the residential land use has a density of 10 units or
1582less per acre or the proposed future land use category allows a
1583maximum residential density of the same or less than the maximum
1584residential density allowable under the existing future land use
1585category, except that this limitation does not apply to small
1586scale amendments involving the construction of affordable
1587housing units meeting the criteria of s. 420.0004(3) on property
1588which will be the subject of a land use restriction agreement,
1589or small scale amendments described in sub-sub-sub-subparagraph
1590(I)(A) sub-sub-subparagraph a.(I) that are designated in the
1591local comprehensive plan for urban infill, urban redevelopment,
1592or downtown revitalization as defined in s. 163.3164, urban
1593infill and redevelopment areas designated under s. 163.2517,
1594transportation concurrency exception areas approved pursuant to
1595s. 163.3180(5), or regional activity centers and urban central
1596business districts approved pursuant to s. 380.06(2)(e).
1597     b.(I)2.a.  A local government that proposes to consider a
1598plan amendment pursuant to this subparagraph paragraph is not
1599required to comply with the procedures and public notice
1600requirements of s. 163.3184(15)(c) for such plan amendments if
1601the local government complies with the provisions in s.
1602125.66(4)(a) for a county or in s. 166.041(3)(c) for a
1603municipality. If a request for a plan amendment under this
1604subparagraph paragraph is initiated by other than the local
1605government, public notice is required.
1606     (II)b.  The local government shall send copies of the
1607notice and amendment to the state land planning agency, the
1608regional planning council, and any other person or entity
1609requesting a copy. This information shall also include a
1610statement identifying any property subject to the amendment that
1611is located within a coastal high-hazard area as identified in
1612the local comprehensive plan.
1613     c.3.  Small scale development amendments adopted pursuant
1614to this subparagraph paragraph require only one public hearing
1615before the governing board, which shall be an adoption hearing
1616as described in s. 163.3184(7), and are not subject to the
1617requirements of s. 163.3184(3)-(6) unless the local government
1618elects to have them subject to those requirements.
1619     d.4.  If the small scale development amendment involves a
1620site within an area that is designated by the Governor as a
1621rural area of critical economic concern under s. 288.0656(7) for
1622the duration of such designation, the 10-acre limit listed in
1623sub-subparagraph a. subparagraph 1. shall be increased by 100
1624percent to 20 acres. The local government approving the small
1625scale plan amendment shall certify to The Office of Tourism,
1626Trade, and Economic Development shall certify that the plan
1627amendment furthers the economic objectives set forth in the
1628executive order issued under s. 288.0656(7)(a) 288.0656(7), and
1629the local government shall certify that the property subject to
1630the plan amendment shall undergo public review to ensure that
1631all concurrency requirements and federal, state, and local
1632environmental permit requirements are met.
1633     4.(d)  Any comprehensive plan amendment required by a
1634compliance agreement pursuant to s. 163.3184(16) may be approved
1635without regard to statutory limits on the frequency of adoption
1636of amendments to the comprehensive plan.
1637     (e)  A comprehensive plan amendment for location of a state
1638correctional facility. Such an amendment may be made at any time
1639and does not count toward the limitation on the frequency of
1640plan amendments.
1641     5.(f)  Any comprehensive plan amendment that changes the
1642schedule in the capital improvements element, and any amendments
1643directly related to the schedule, may be made once in a calendar
1644year on a date different from the two times provided in this
1645subsection when necessary to coincide with the adoption of the
1646local government's budget and capital improvements program.
1647     (g)  Any local government comprehensive plan amendments
1648directly related to proposed redevelopment of brownfield areas
1649designated under s. 376.80 may be approved without regard to
1650statutory limits on the frequency of consideration of amendments
1651to the local comprehensive plan.
1652     6.(h)  Any comprehensive plan amendments for port
1653transportation facilities and projects that are eligible for
1654funding by the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic
1655Development Council pursuant to s. 311.07.
1656     (i)  A comprehensive plan amendment for the purpose of
1657designating an urban infill and redevelopment area under s.
1658163.2517 may be approved without regard to the statutory limits
1659on the frequency of amendments to the comprehensive plan.
1660     7.(j)  Any comprehensive plan amendment to establish public
1661school concurrency pursuant to s. 163.3180(13), including, but
1662not limited to, adoption of a public school facilities element
1663pursuant to s. 163.3177(12) and adoption of amendments to the
1664capital improvements element and intergovernmental coordination
1665element. In order to ensure the consistency of local government
1666public school facilities elements within a county, such elements
1667shall be prepared and adopted on a similar time schedule.
1668     8.  Amendments proposed by a local government for purposes
1669of identifying the land use categories in which public schools
1670are an allowable use.
1671     (k)  A local comprehensive plan amendment directly related
1672to providing transportation improvements to enhance life safety
1673on Controlled Access Major Arterial Highways identified in the
1674Florida Intrastate Highway System, in counties as defined in s.
1675125.011, where such roadways have a high incidence of traffic
1676accidents resulting in serious injury or death. Any such
1677amendment shall not include any amendment modifying the
1678designation on a comprehensive development plan land use map nor
1679any amendment modifying the allowable densities or intensities
1680of any land.
1681     (l)  A comprehensive plan amendment to adopt a public
1682educational facilities element pursuant to s. 163.3177(12) and
1683future land-use-map amendments for school siting may be approved
1684notwithstanding statutory limits on the frequency of adopting
1685plan amendments.
1686     9.(m)  A comprehensive plan amendment that addresses
1687criteria or compatibility of land uses adjacent to or in close
1688proximity to military installations in a local government's
1689future land use element does not count toward the limitation on
1690the frequency of the plan amendments.
1691     (n)  Any local government comprehensive plan amendment
1692establishing or implementing a rural land stewardship area
1693pursuant to the provisions of s. 163.3177(11)(d).
1694     10.(o)  A comprehensive plan amendment that is submitted by
1695an area designated by the Governor as a rural area of critical
1696economic concern under s. 288.0656(7) and that meets the
1697economic development objectives. Before the adoption of such an
1698amendment, the local government shall obtain from the Office of
1699Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development written certification
1700that the plan amendment furthers the economic objectives set
1701forth in the executive order issued under s. 288.0656(7) may be
1702approved without regard to the statutory limits on the frequency
1703of adoption of amendments to the comprehensive plan.
1704     11.(p)  Any local government comprehensive plan amendment
1705that is consistent with the local housing incentive strategies
1706identified in s. 420.9076 and authorized by the local
1707government.
1708     12.  Any local government comprehensive plan amendment
1709adopted pursuant to a final order issued by the Administration
1710Commission or the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory
1711Commission.
1712     (2)  Comprehensive plans may only be amended in such a way
1713as to preserve the internal consistency of the plan pursuant to
1714s. 163.3177(2). Corrections, updates, or modifications of
1715current costs which were set out as part of the comprehensive
1716plan shall not, for the purposes of this act, be deemed to be
1717amendments.
1718     (3)(a)  The state land planning agency shall not review or
1719issue a notice of intent for small scale development amendments
1720which satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (1)(b)3.
1721paragraph (1)(c). Any affected person may file a petition with
1722the Division of Administrative Hearings pursuant to ss. 120.569
1723and 120.57 to request a hearing to challenge the compliance of a
1724small scale development amendment with this act within 30 days
1725following the local government's adoption of the amendment,
1726shall serve a copy of the petition on the local government, and
1727shall furnish a copy to the state land planning agency. An
1728administrative law judge shall hold a hearing in the affected
1729jurisdiction not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days
1730following the filing of a petition and the assignment of an
1731administrative law judge. The parties to a hearing held pursuant
1732to this subsection shall be the petitioner, the local
1733government, and any intervenor. In the proceeding, the local
1734government's determination that the small scale development
1735amendment is in compliance is presumed to be correct. The local
1736government's determination shall be sustained unless it is shown
1737by a preponderance of the evidence that the amendment is not in
1738compliance with the requirements of this act. In any proceeding
1739initiated pursuant to this subsection, the state land planning
1740agency may intervene.
1741     (b)1.  If the administrative law judge recommends that the
1742small scale development amendment be found not in compliance,
1743the administrative law judge shall submit the recommended order
1744to the Administration Commission for final agency action. If the
1745administrative law judge recommends that the small scale
1746development amendment be found in compliance, the administrative
1747law judge shall submit the recommended order to the state land
1748planning agency.
1749     2.  If the state land planning agency determines that the
1750plan amendment is not in compliance, the agency shall submit,
1751within 30 days following its receipt, the recommended order to
1752the Administration Commission for final agency action. If the
1753state land planning agency determines that the plan amendment is
1754in compliance, the agency shall enter a final order within 30
1755days following its receipt of the recommended order.
1756     (c)  Small scale development amendments shall not become
1757effective until 31 days after adoption. If challenged within 30
1758days after adoption, small scale development amendments shall
1759not become effective until the state land planning agency or the
1760Administration Commission, respectively, issues a final order
1761determining the adopted small scale development amendment is in
1762compliance. However, a small-scale amendment shall not become
1763effective until it has been submitted to the state land planning
1764agency as required by sub-sub-subparagraph (1)(b)3.b.(I).
1765     (4)  Each governing body shall transmit to the state land
1766planning agency a current copy of its comprehensive plan not
1767later than December 1, 1985. Each governing body shall also
1768transmit copies of any amendments it adopts to its comprehensive
1769plan so as to continually update the plans on file with the
1770state land planning agency.
1771     (5)  Nothing in this part is intended to prohibit or limit
1772the authority of local governments to require that a person
1773requesting an amendment pay some or all of the cost of public
1774notice.
1775     (6)(a)  A No local government may not amend its
1776comprehensive plan after the date established by the state land
1777planning agency for adoption of its evaluation and appraisal
1778report unless it has submitted its report or addendum to the
1779state land planning agency as prescribed by s. 163.3191, except
1780for plan amendments described in subparagraph (1)(b)2. paragraph
1781(1)(b) or subparagraph (1)(b)6. paragraph (1)(h).
1782     (b)  A local government may amend its comprehensive plan
1783after it has submitted its adopted evaluation and appraisal
1784report and for a period of 1 year after the initial
1785determination of sufficiency regardless of whether the report
1786has been determined to be insufficient.
1787     (c)  A local government may not amend its comprehensive
1788plan, except for plan amendments described in subparagraph
1789(1)(b)2. paragraph (1)(b), if the 1-year period after the
1790initial sufficiency determination of the report has expired and
1791the report has not been determined to be sufficient.
1792     (d)  When the state land planning agency has determined
1793that the report has sufficiently addressed all pertinent
1794provisions of s. 163.3191, the local government may amend its
1795comprehensive plan without the limitations imposed by paragraph
1796(a) or paragraph (c).
1797     (e)  Any plan amendment which a local government attempts
1798to adopt in violation of paragraph (a) or paragraph (c) is
1799invalid, but such invalidity may be overcome if the local
1800government readopts the amendment and transmits the amendment to
1801the state land planning agency pursuant to s. 163.3184(7) after
1802the report is determined to be sufficient.
1803     Section 8.  Subsection (1) of section 163.3245, Florida
1804Statutes, is amended to read:
1805     163.3245  Optional sector plans.--
1806     (1)  In recognition of the benefits of conceptual long-
1807range planning for the buildout of an area, and detailed
1808planning for specific areas, as a demonstration project, the
1809requirements of s. 380.06 may be addressed as identified by this
1810section for up to 10 five local governments or combinations of
1811local governments that which adopt into the comprehensive plan
1812an optional sector plan in accordance with this section. This
1813section is intended to further the intent of s. 163.3177(11),
1814which supports innovative and flexible planning and development
1815strategies, and the purposes of this part, and part I of chapter
1816380, and to avoid duplication of effort in terms of the level of
1817data and analysis required for a development of regional impact,
1818while ensuring the adequate mitigation of impacts to applicable
1819regional resources and facilities, including those within the
1820jurisdiction of other local governments, as would otherwise be
1821provided. Optional sector plans are intended for substantial
1822geographic areas that include including at least 5,000 acres of
1823one or more local governmental jurisdictions and are to
1824emphasize urban form and protection of regionally significant
1825resources and facilities. The state land planning agency may
1826approve optional sector plans of less than 5,000 acres based on
1827local circumstances if it is determined that the plan would
1828further the purposes of this part and part I of chapter 380.
1829Preparation of an optional sector plan is authorized by
1830agreement between the state land planning agency and the
1831applicable local governments under s. 163.3171(4). An optional
1832sector plan may be adopted through one or more comprehensive
1833plan amendments under s. 163.3184. However, an optional sector
1834plan may not be authorized in an area of critical state concern.
1835     Section 9.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1), subsection
1836(2), paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (3), paragraph (b) of
1837subsection (4), and paragraphs (b), (c), and (g) of subsection
1838(6) of section 163.32465, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1839     163.32465  State review of local comprehensive plans in
1840urban areas.--
1841     (1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.--
1842     (a)  The Legislature finds that local governments in this
1843state have a wide diversity of resources, conditions, abilities,
1844and needs. The Legislature also finds that the needs and
1845resources of urban areas are different from those of rural areas
1846and that different planning and growth management approaches,
1847strategies, and techniques are required in urban areas. The
1848state role in overseeing growth management should reflect this
1849diversity and should vary based on local government conditions,
1850capabilities, and needs, and the extent and type of development.
1851Thus, the Legislature recognizes and finds that reduced state
1852oversight of local comprehensive planning is justified for some
1853local governments in urban areas.
1854     (2)  ALTERNATIVE STATE REVIEW PROCESS PILOT
1855PROGRAM.--Pinellas and Broward Counties, and the municipalities
1856within these counties, and Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, and
1857Hialeah shall follow an alternative state review process
1858provided in this section. Municipalities within the pilot
1859counties may elect, by super majority vote of the governing
1860body, not to participate in the pilot program. In addition, any
1861local government may elect, by simple majority vote, for the
1862alternative state review process to apply to future land use map
1863amendments and associated special area policies within areas
1864designated in a comprehensive plan for downtown revitalization
1865pursuant to s. 163.3164, urban redevelopment pursuant to s.
1866163.3164, urban infill development pursuant to s. 163.3164, or
1867an urban service area pursuant to s. 163.3180(5)(b)2. At the
1868public meeting for the election of the alternative process, the
1869local government shall adopt by ordinance standards for ensuring
1870compatible uses the local government will consider in evaluating
1871future land use amendments within such areas. Local governments
1872shall provide the state land planning agency with notification
1873as to their election to use the alternative state review
1874process. The local government's determination to participate in
1875the pilot program shall be applied to all future amendments.
1876     (3)  PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS
1877UNDER THE PILOT PROGRAM.--
1878     (b)  Amendments that qualify as small-scale development
1879amendments may continue to be adopted by the pilot program
1880jurisdictions pursuant to s. 163.3187(1)(c) and (3).
1881     (c)  Plan amendments that propose a rural land stewardship
1882area pursuant to s. 163.3177(11)(d); propose an optional sector
1883plan; update a comprehensive plan based on an evaluation and
1884appraisal report; implement new statutory requirements not
1885previously incorporated into a comprehensive plan; or new plans
1886for newly incorporated municipalities are subject to state
1887review as set forth in s. 163.3184.
1888     (4)  INITIAL HEARING ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT FOR
1889PILOT PROGRAM.--
1890     (b)  The agencies and local governments specified in
1891paragraph (a) may provide comments regarding the amendment or
1892amendments to the local government. The regional planning
1893council review and comment shall be limited to effects on
1894regional resources or facilities identified in the strategic
1895regional policy plan and extrajurisdictional impacts that would
1896be inconsistent with the comprehensive plan of the affected
1897local government. A regional planning council shall not review
1898and comment on a proposed comprehensive plan amendment prepared
1899by such council unless the plan amendment has been changed by
1900the local government subsequent to the preparation of the plan
1901amendment by the regional planning council. County comments on
1902municipal comprehensive plan amendments shall be primarily in
1903the context of the relationship and effect of the proposed plan
1904amendments on the county plan. Municipal comments on county plan
1905amendments shall be primarily in the context of the relationship
1906and effect of the amendments on the municipal plan. State agency
1907comments may include technical guidance on issues of agency
1908jurisdiction as it relates to the requirements of this part.
1909Such comments shall clearly identify issues that, if not
1910resolved, may result in an agency challenge to the plan
1911amendment. For the purposes of this pilot program, agencies are
1912encouraged to focus potential challenges on issues of regional
1913or statewide importance. Agencies and local governments must
1914transmit their comments to the affected local government such
1915that they are received by the local government not later than 30
1916thirty days from the date on which the agency or government
1917received the amendment or amendments. Any comments from the
1918agencies and local governments shall also be transmitted to the
1919state land planning agency.
1920     (6)  ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGES TO PLAN AMENDMENTS FOR PILOT
1921PROGRAM.--
1922     (b)  The state land planning agency may file a petition
1923with the Division of Administrative Hearings pursuant to ss.
1924120.569 and 120.57, with a copy served on the affected local
1925government, to request a formal hearing. This petition must be
1926filed with the Division within 30 days after the state land
1927planning agency notifies the local government that the plan
1928amendment package is complete. For purposes of this section, an
1929amendment shall be deemed complete if it contains a full,
1930executed copy of the adoption ordinance or ordinances; in the
1931case of a text amendment, a full copy of the amended language in
1932legislative format with new words inserted in the text
1933underlined, and words to be deleted lined through with hyphens;
1934in the case of a future land use map amendment, a copy of the
1935future land use map clearly depicting the parcel, its existing
1936future land use designation, and its adopted designation; and a
1937copy of any data and analyses the local government deems
1938appropriate. The state land planning agency shall notify the
1939local government of any deficiencies within 5 working days of
1940receipt of an amendment package that the package is complete or
1941identify any deficiencies regarding completeness.
1942     (c)  The state land planning agency's challenge shall be
1943limited to those issues raised in the comments provided by the
1944reviewing agencies pursuant to paragraph (4)(b) that were
1945clearly identified in the agency comments as an issue that may
1946result in an agency challenge. The state land planning agency
1947may challenge a plan amendment that has substantially changed
1948from the version on which the agencies provided comments. For
1949the purposes of this pilot program, the Legislature strongly
1950encourages the state land planning agency to focus any challenge
1951on issues of regional or statewide importance.
1952     (g)  An amendment adopted under the expedited provisions of
1953this section shall not become effective until the time period
1954for filing a challenge under paragraph (a) has expired 31 days
1955after adoption. If timely challenged, an amendment shall not
1956become effective until the state land planning agency or the
1957Administration Commission enters a final order determining the
1958adopted amendment to be in compliance.
1959     Section 10.  Section 163.351, Florida Statutes, is created
1960to read:
1961     163.351  Reporting requirements for community redevelopment
1962agencies.--Each community redevelopment agency shall annually:
1963     (1)  By March 31, file with the governing body a report
1964describing the progress made on each public project in the
1965redevelopment plan which was funded during the preceding fiscal
1966year and summarizing activities that, as of the end of the
1967fiscal year, are planned for the upcoming fiscal year. On the
1968date that the report is filed, the agency shall publish in a
1969newspaper of general circulation in the community a notice that
1970the report has been filed with the county or municipality and is
1971available for inspection during business hours in the office of
1972the clerk of the county or municipality and in the office of the
1973agency.
1974     (2)  Provide the reports or information that a dependent
1975special district is required to file under chapter 189 to the
1976Department of Community Affairs.
1977     (3)  Provide the reports or information required under ss.
1978218.32, 218.38, and 218.39 to the Department of Financial
1979Services.
1980     Section 11.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
1981163.356, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1982     163.356  Creation of community redevelopment agency.--
1983     (3)
1984     (c)  The governing body of the county or municipality shall
1985designate a chair and vice chair from among the commissioners.
1986An agency may employ an executive director, technical experts,
1987and such other agents and employees, permanent and temporary, as
1988it requires, and determine their qualifications, duties, and
1989compensation. For such legal service as it requires, an agency
1990may employ or retain its own counsel and legal staff. An agency
1991authorized to transact business and exercise powers under this
1992part shall file with the governing body, on or before March 31
1993of each year, a report of its activities for the preceding
1994fiscal year, which report shall include a complete financial
1995statement setting forth its assets, liabilities, income, and
1996operating expenses as of the end of such fiscal year. At the
1997time of filing the report, the agency shall publish in a
1998newspaper of general circulation in the community a notice to
1999the effect that such report has been filed with the county or
2000municipality and that the report is available for inspection
2001during business hours in the office of the clerk of the city or
2002county commission and in the office of the agency.
2003     Section 12.  Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (3) of
2004section 163.370, Florida Statutes, to read:
2005     163.370  Powers; counties and municipalities; community
2006redevelopment agencies.--
2007     (3)  The following projects may not be paid for or financed
2008by increment revenues:
2009     (d)  The substitution of increment revenues as security or
2010payment for existing debt currently committed to pay debt
2011service on existing structures or projects that are completed
2012and operating.
2013     Section 13.  Subsections (6) and (8) of section 163.387,
2014Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
2015     163.387  Redevelopment trust fund.--
2016     (6)  Moneys in the redevelopment trust fund may be expended
2017from time to time for undertakings of a community redevelopment
2018agency as described in the community redevelopment plan. Such
2019expenditures may include for the following purposes, including,
2020but are not limited to:
2021     (a)  Administrative and overhead expenses necessary or
2022incidental to the implementation of a community redevelopment
2023plan adopted by the agency.
2024     (b)  Expenses of redevelopment planning, surveys, and
2025financial analysis, including the reimbursement of the governing
2026body, any taxing authority, or the community redevelopment
2027agency for such expenses incurred before the redevelopment plan
2028was approved and adopted.
2029     (c)  Expenses related to the promotion or marketing of
2030projects or activities in the redevelopment area which are
2031sponsored by the community redevelopment agency.
2032     (d)(c)  The acquisition of real property in the
2033redevelopment area.
2034     (e)(d)  The clearance and preparation of any redevelopment
2035area for redevelopment and relocation of site occupants within
2036or outside the community redevelopment area as provided in s.
2037163.370.
2038     (f)(e)  The repayment of principal and interest or any
2039redemption premium for loans, advances, bonds, bond anticipation
2040notes, and any other form of indebtedness.
2041     (g)(f)  All expenses incidental to or connected with the
2042issuance, sale, redemption, retirement, or purchase of bonds,
2043bond anticipation notes, or other form of indebtedness,
2044including funding of any reserve, redemption, or other fund or
2045account provided for in the ordinance or resolution authorizing
2046such bonds, notes, or other form of indebtedness.
2047     (h)(g)  The development of affordable housing within the
2048community redevelopment area.
2049     (i)(h)  The development of Community policing innovations.
2050     (j)  The provision of law enforcement, fire rescue, or
2051emergency medical services if the community redevelopment area
2052has been in existence for at least 5 years.
2053
2054This listing of types of expenditures is not an exclusive list
2055of the expenditures that may be made under this subsection and
2056is intended only to provide examples of some of the activities,
2057projects, or expenses for which an expenditure may be made under
2058this subsection.
2059     (8)  Each community redevelopment agency shall provide for
2060an audit of the trust fund each fiscal year and a report of such
2061audit to be prepared by an independent certified public
2062accountant or firm. Such report shall describe the amount and
2063source of deposits into, and the amount and purpose of
2064withdrawals from, the trust fund during such fiscal year and the
2065amount of principal and interest paid during such year on any
2066indebtedness to which increment revenues are pledged and the
2067remaining amount of such indebtedness. The agency shall provide
2068by registered mail a copy of the report to each taxing
2069authority.
2070     Section 14.  Paragraphs (b) and (e) of subsection (2) of
2071section 288.0655, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
2072     288.0655  Rural Infrastructure Fund.--
2073     (2)
2074     (b)  To facilitate access of rural communities and rural
2075areas of critical economic concern as defined by the Rural
2076Economic Development Initiative to infrastructure funding
2077programs of the Federal Government, such as those offered by the
2078United States Department of Agriculture and the United States
2079Department of Commerce, and state programs, including those
2080offered by Rural Economic Development Initiative agencies, and
2081to facilitate local government or private infrastructure funding
2082efforts, the office may award grants for up to 30 percent of the
2083total infrastructure project cost. If an application for funding
2084is for a catalyst site, as defined in s. 288.0656, the
2085requirement for a local match may be waived. Eligible projects
2086must be related to specific job-creation or job-retention
2087opportunities. Eligible projects may also include improving any
2088inadequate infrastructure that has resulted in regulatory action
2089that prohibits economic or community growth or reducing the
2090costs to community users of proposed infrastructure improvements
2091that exceed such costs in comparable communities. Eligible uses
2092of funds shall include improvements to public infrastructure for
2093industrial or commercial sites and upgrades to or development of
2094public tourism infrastructure. Authorized infrastructure may
2095include the following public or public-private partnership
2096facilities: storm water systems; telecommunications facilities;
2097roads or other remedies to transportation impediments; nature-
2098based tourism facilities; or other physical requirements
2099necessary to facilitate tourism, trade, and economic development
2100activities in the community. Authorized infrastructure may also
2101include publicly owned self-powered nature-based tourism
2102facilities; and additions to the distribution facilities of the
2103existing natural gas utility as defined in s. 366.04(3)(c), the
2104existing electric utility as defined in s. 366.02, or the
2105existing water or wastewater utility as defined in s.
2106367.021(12), or any other existing water or wastewater facility,
2107which owns a gas or electric distribution system or a water or
2108wastewater system in this state where:
2109     1.  A contribution-in-aid of construction is required to
2110serve public or public-private partnership facilities under the
2111tariffs of any natural gas, electric, water, or wastewater
2112utility as defined herein; and
2113     2.  Such utilities as defined herein are willing and able
2114to provide such service.
2115     (e)  To enable local governments to access the resources
2116available pursuant to s. 403.973(19), the office may award
2117grants for surveys, feasibility studies, and other activities
2118related to the identification and preclearance review of land
2119which is suitable for preclearance review. Authorized grants
2120under this paragraph shall not exceed $75,000 each, except in
2121the case of a project in a rural area of critical economic
2122concern, in which case the grant shall not exceed $300,000. Any
2123funds awarded under this paragraph must be matched at a level of
212450 percent with local funds, except that any funds awarded for a
2125project in a rural area of critical economic concern must be
2126matched at a level of 33 percent with local funds. If an
2127application for funding is for a catalyst site, as defined in s.
2128288.0656, the office may award grants for up to 40 percent of
2129the total infrastructure project cost. In evaluating
2130applications under this paragraph, the office shall consider the
2131extent to which the application seeks to minimize administrative
2132and consultant expenses.
2133     Section 15.  Section 288.0656, Florida Statutes, is amended
2134to read:
2135     288.0656  Rural Economic Development Initiative.--
2136     (1)(a)  Recognizing that rural communities and regions
2137continue to face extraordinary challenges in their efforts to
2138achieve significant improvements to their economies,
2139specifically in terms of personal income, job creation, average
2140wages, and strong tax bases, it is the intent of the Legislature
2141to encourage and facilitate the location and expansion in such
2142rural communities of major economic development projects of
2143significant scale.
2144     (b)  The Rural Economic Development Initiative, known as
2145"REDI," is created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and
2146Economic Development, and the participation of state and
2147regional agencies in this initiative is authorized.
2148     (2)  As used in this section, the term:
2149     (a)  "Catalyst project" means a business locating or
2150expanding in a rural area of critical economic concern that is
2151likely to serve as an economic growth opportunity of regional
2152significance for the growth of a regional target industry
2153cluster. The project shall provide capital investment of
2154significant scale that will affect the entire region and that
2155will facilitate the development of high-wage and high-skill
2156jobs.
2157     (b)  "Catalyst site" means a parcel or parcels of land
2158within a rural area of critical economic concern that has been
2159prioritized by representatives of the jurisdictions within the
2160rural area of critical economic concern, reviewed by REDI, and
2161approved by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
2162Development for purposes of locating a catalyst project.
2163     (c)(a)  "Economic distress" means conditions affecting the
2164fiscal and economic viability of a rural community, including
2165such factors as low per capita income, low per capita taxable
2166values, high unemployment, high underemployment, low weekly
2167earned wages compared to the state average, low housing values
2168compared to the state average, high percentages of the
2169population receiving public assistance, high poverty levels
2170compared to the state average, and a lack of year-round stable
2171employment opportunities.
2172     (d)  "Rural area of critical economic concern" means a
2173rural community, or a region composed of rural communities,
2174designated by the Governor, that has been adversely affected by
2175an extraordinary economic event, severe or chronic distress, or
2176a natural disaster or that presents a unique economic
2177development opportunity of regional impact.
2178     (e)(b)  "Rural community" means:
2179     1.  A county with a population of 75,000 or less.
2180     2.  A county with a population of 120,000 100,000 or less
2181that is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or
2182less.
2183     3.  A municipality within a county described in
2184subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2.
2185     4.  An unincorporated federal enterprise community or an
2186incorporated rural city with a population of 25,000 or less and
2187an employment base focused on traditional agricultural or
2188resource-based industries, located in a county not defined as
2189rural, which has at least three or more of the economic distress
2190factors identified in paragraph (a) and verified by the Office
2191of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.
2192
2193For purposes of this paragraph, population shall be determined
2194in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant to
2195s. 186.901.
2196     (3)  REDI shall be responsible for coordinating and
2197focusing the efforts and resources of state and regional
2198agencies on the problems which affect the fiscal, economic, and
2199community viability of Florida's economically distressed rural
2200communities, working with local governments, community-based
2201organizations, and private organizations that have an interest
2202in the growth and development of these communities to find ways
2203to balance environmental and growth management issues with local
2204needs.
2205     (4)  REDI shall review and evaluate the impact of laws
2206statutes and rules on rural communities and shall work to
2207minimize any adverse impact and undertake outreach and capacity
2208building efforts.
2209     (5)  REDI shall facilitate better access to state resources
2210by promoting direct access and referrals to appropriate state
2211and regional agencies and statewide organizations. REDI may
2212undertake outreach, capacity-building, and other advocacy
2213efforts to improve conditions in rural communities. These
2214activities may include sponsorship of conferences and
2215achievement awards.
2216     (6)(a)  By August 1 of each year, the head of each of the
2217following agencies and organizations shall designate a high-
2218level staff person from within the agency or organization to
2219serve as the REDI representative for the agency or organization:
2220     1.  The Department of Community Affairs.
2221     2.  The Department of Transportation.
2222     3.  The Department of Environmental Protection.
2223     4.  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
2224     5.  The Department of State.
2225     6.  The Department of Health.
2226     7.  The Department of Children and Family Services.
2227     8.  The Department of Corrections.
2228     9.  The Agency for Workforce Innovation.
2229     10.  The Department of Education.
2230     11.  The Department of Juvenile Justice.
2231     12.  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
2232     13.  Each water management district.
2233     14.  Enterprise Florida, Inc.
2234     15.  Workforce Florida, Inc.
2235     16.  The Florida Commission on Tourism or VISIT Florida.
2236     17.  The Florida Regional Planning Council Association.
2237     18.  The Agency for Health Care Administration Florida
2238State Rural Development Council.
2239     19.  The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
2240(IFAS).
2241
2242An alternate for each designee shall also be chosen, and the
2243names of the designees and alternates shall be sent to the
2244director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
2245Development.
2246     (b)  Each REDI representative must have comprehensive
2247knowledge of his or her agency's functions, both regulatory and
2248service in nature, and of the state's economic goals, policies,
2249and programs. This person shall be the primary point of contact
2250for his or her agency with REDI on issues and projects relating
2251to economically distressed rural communities and with regard to
2252expediting project review, shall ensure a prompt effective
2253response to problems arising with regard to rural issues, and
2254shall work closely with the other REDI representatives in the
2255identification of opportunities for preferential awards of
2256program funds and allowances and waiver of program requirements
2257when necessary to encourage and facilitate long-term private
2258capital investment and job creation.
2259     (c)  The REDI representatives shall work with REDI in the
2260review and evaluation of statutes and rules for adverse impact
2261on rural communities and the development of alternative
2262proposals to mitigate that impact.
2263     (d)  Each REDI representative shall be responsible for
2264ensuring that each district office or facility of his or her
2265agency is informed about the Rural Economic Development
2266Initiative and for providing assistance throughout the agency in
2267the implementation of REDI activities.
2268     (7)(a)  REDI may recommend to the Governor up to three
2269rural areas of critical economic concern. A rural area of
2270critical economic concern must be a rural community, or a region
2271composed of such, that has been adversely affected by an
2272extraordinary economic event or a natural disaster or that
2273presents a unique economic development opportunity of regional
2274impact that will create more than 1,000 jobs over a 5-year
2275period. The Governor may by executive order designate up to
2276three rural areas of critical economic concern which will
2277establish these areas as priority assignments for REDI as well
2278as to allow the Governor, acting through REDI, to waive
2279criteria, requirements, or similar provisions of any economic
2280development incentive. Such incentives shall include, but not be
2281limited to: the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program
2282under s. 288.106, the Quick Response Training Program under s.
2283288.047, the Quick Response Training Program for participants in
2284the welfare transition program under s. 288.047(8),
2285transportation projects under s. 288.063, the brownfield
2286redevelopment bonus refund under s. 288.107, and the rural job
2287tax credit program under ss. 212.098 and 220.1895.
2288     (b)  Designation as a rural area of critical economic
2289concern under this subsection shall be contingent upon the
2290execution of a memorandum of agreement among the Office of
2291Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; the governing body of
2292the county; and the governing bodies of any municipalities to be
2293included within a rural area of critical economic concern. Such
2294agreement shall specify the terms and conditions of the
2295designation, including, but not limited to, the duties and
2296responsibilities of the county and any participating
2297municipalities to take actions designed to facilitate the
2298retention and expansion of existing businesses in the area, as
2299well as the recruitment of new businesses to the area.
2300     (c)  Each rural area of critical economic concern may
2301designate catalyst projects provided that each catalyst project
2302is specifically recommended by REDI, identified as a catalyst
2303project by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and confirmed as a catalyst
2304project by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
2305Development. All state agencies and departments shall use all
2306available tools and resources to the extent permissible by law
2307to promote the creation and development of each catalyst project
2308and the development of catalyst sites.
2309     (8)  REDI shall assist local governments within rural areas
2310of critical economic concern with comprehensive planning needs
2311pursuant to s. 163.3184(20) and that implement the provisions of
2312this section. Such assistance shall reflect a multidisciplinary
2313approach among all agencies and shall include economic
2314development and planning objectives.
2315     (a)  A local government may request assistance in the
2316preparation of plan amendments that will stimulate economic
2317activity.
2318     1.  The local government must contact the Office of
2319Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to request assistance.
2320     2.  REDI representatives shall meet with the local
2321government within 15 days after such request to develop the
2322scope of assistance that will be provided to assist the
2323development, transmittal, and adoption of the proposed
2324comprehensive plan amendment.
2325     3.  As part of the assistance provided, REDI
2326representatives shall also identify other needed local and
2327developer actions for approval of the project and recommend a
2328timeline for the local government and developer that will
2329minimize project delays.
2330     (b)  In addition, REDI shall solicit requests each year for
2331assistance from local governments within a rural area of
2332critical economic concern to update the future land use element
2333and other associated elements of the local government's
2334comprehensive plan to better position the community to respond
2335to economic development potential within the county or
2336municipality. REDI shall provide direct assistance to such local
2337governments to update their comprehensive plans pursuant to this
2338paragraph. At least one comprehensive planning technical
2339assistance effort shall be selected each year.
2340     (c)  REDI shall develop and annually update a technical
2341assistance manual based upon experiences learned in providing
2342direct assistance under this subsection.
2343     (9)(8)  REDI shall submit a report to the Governor, the
2344President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
2345Representatives each year on or before September February 1 on
2346all REDI activities for the prior fiscal year. This report shall
2347include a status report on all projects currently being
2348coordinated through REDI, the number of preferential awards and
2349allowances made pursuant to this section, the dollar amount of
2350such awards, and the names of the recipients. The report shall
2351also include a description of all waivers of program
2352requirements granted. The report shall also include information
2353as to the economic impact of the projects coordinated by REDI.
2354     Section 16.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (7), paragraph (c)
2355of subsection (19), and paragraph (n) of subsection (24) of
2356section 380.06, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraph (v)
2357is added to subsection (24) of that section, to read:
2358     380.06  Developments of regional impact.--
2359     (7)  PREAPPLICATION PROCEDURES.--
2360     (a)  Before filing an application for development approval,
2361the developer shall contact the regional planning agency with
2362jurisdiction over the proposed development to arrange a
2363preapplication conference. Upon the request of the developer or
2364the regional planning agency, other affected state and regional
2365agencies shall participate in this conference and shall identify
2366the types of permits issued by the agencies, the level of
2367information required, and the permit issuance procedures as
2368applied to the proposed development. The levels of service
2369required in the transportation methodology shall be the same
2370levels of service used to evaluate concurrency in accordance
2371with s. 163.3180. The regional planning agency shall provide the
2372developer information about the development-of-regional-impact
2373process and the use of preapplication conferences to identify
2374issues, coordinate appropriate state and local agency
2375requirements, and otherwise promote a proper and efficient
2376review of the proposed development. If agreement is reached
2377regarding assumptions and methodology to be used in the
2378application for development approval, the reviewing agencies may
2379not subsequently object to those assumptions and methodologies
2380unless subsequent changes to the project or information obtained
2381during the review make those assumptions and methodologies
2382inappropriate.
2383     (19)  SUBSTANTIAL DEVIATIONS.--
2384     (c)  An extension of the date of buildout of a development,
2385or any phase thereof, by more than 7 years is presumed to create
2386a substantial deviation subject to further development-of-
2387regional-impact review. An extension of the date of buildout, or
2388any phase thereof, of more than 5 years but not more than 7
2389years is presumed not to create a substantial deviation. The
2390extension of the date of buildout of an areawide development of
2391regional impact by more than 5 years but less than 10 years is
2392presumed not to create a substantial deviation. These
2393presumptions may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence at
2394the public hearing held by the local government. An extension of
23955 years or less is not a substantial deviation. For the purpose
2396of calculating when a buildout or phase date has been exceeded,
2397the time shall be tolled during the pendency of administrative
2398or judicial proceedings relating to development permits. Any
2399extension of the buildout date of a project or a phase thereof
2400shall automatically extend the commencement date of the project,
2401the termination date of the development order, the expiration
2402date of the development of regional impact, and the phases
2403thereof if applicable by a like period of time. In recognition
2404of the 2007 real estate market conditions, all development order
2405phase, buildout, commencement, and expiration dates and all
2406related local government approvals for projects that are
2407developments of regional impact or Florida Quality Developments
2408and under active construction on July 1, 2007, or for which a
2409development order was adopted between January 1, 2006, and July
24101, 2007, regardless of whether or not active construction has
2411commenced, are extended for 3 years regardless of any prior
2412extension. The 3-year extension is not a substantial deviation,
2413is not subject to further development-of-regional-impact review,
2414and may not be considered when determining whether a subsequent
2415extension is a substantial deviation under this subsection. This
2416extension also applies to all associated local government
2417approvals, including, but not limited to, agreements,
2418certificates, and permits related to the project.
2419     (24)  STATUTORY EXEMPTIONS.--
2420     (n)  Any proposed development or redevelopment within an
2421area designated in the comprehensive plan as an urban
2422redevelopment area, a downtown revitalization area, an urban
2423infill development area, or an urban infill and redevelopment
2424area under s. 163.2517 is exempt from this section if the local
2425government has entered into a binding agreement with
2426jurisdictions that would be impacted and the Department of
2427Transportation regarding the mitigation of impacts on state and
2428regional transportation facilities, and has adopted a
2429proportionate share methodology pursuant to s. 163.3180(16).
2430     (v)  Any development or change to a previously approved
2431development of regional impact that is proposed for at least two
2432uses, one of which is for use as an office, university medical
2433school, hospital, or laboratory appropriate for research and
2434development of medical technology, biotechnology, or life
2435science applications is exempt from this section if:
2436     1.  The land is located in a designated urban infill area
2437or within 5 miles of a state-supported biotechnical research
2438facility or if a local government having jurisdiction
2439recognizes, by resolution, that the land is located in a
2440compact, high-intensity, and high-density multiuse area that is
2441appropriate for intensive growth.
2442     2.  The land is located within three-fourths of 1 mile from
2443one or more planned or programmed bus or light rail transit
2444stops.
2445     3.  The development is registered with the United States
2446Green Building Council and there is an intent to apply for
2447certification of each building under the Leadership in Energy
2448and Environmental Design rating program, or the development is
2449registered by an alternate green building or development rating
2450system that a local government having jurisdiction finds
2451appropriate, by resolution.
2452
2453If a use is exempt from review as a development of regional
2454impact under paragraphs (a)-(u)(a)-(t), but will be part of a
2455larger project that is subject to review as a development of
2456regional impact, the impact of the exempt use must be included
2457in the review of the larger project.
2458     Section 17.  Paragraph (f) of subsection (3) of section
2459380.0651, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2460     380.0651  Statewide guidelines and standards.--
2461     (3)  The following statewide guidelines and standards shall
2462be applied in the manner described in s. 380.06(2) to determine
2463whether the following developments shall be required to undergo
2464development-of-regional-impact review:
2465     (f)  Hotel or motel development.--
2466     1.  Any proposed hotel or motel development that is planned
2467to create or accommodate 350 or more units; or
2468     2.  Any proposed hotel or motel development that is planned
2469to create or accommodate 750 or more units, in a county with a
2470population greater than 500,000 but not exceeding 1.5 million;
2471or
2472     3.  Any proposed hotel or motel development that is planned
2473to create or accommodate 750 or more units, in a county with a
2474population greater than 1.5 million, and only in a geographic
2475area specifically designated as highly suitable for increased
2476threshold intensity in the approved local comprehensive plan and
2477in the strategic regional policy plan.
2478     Section 18.  Subsection (13) is added to section 403.121,
2479Florida Statutes, to read:
2480     403.121  Enforcement; procedure; remedies.--The department
2481shall have the following judicial and administrative remedies
2482available to it for violations of this chapter, as specified in
2483s. 403.161(1).
2484     (13)  Any party subject to an executed consent order of the
2485Department of Environmental Protection under chapter 373 or this
2486chapter, pursuant to which a building permit is necessary to
2487comply with the consent order, shall not be required to undergo
2488or obtain site plan approval or other zoning approvals as a
2489condition to issuance of the building permit if the activities
2490conducted on the parcel are, but for the specifics of the
2491consent order, consistent with local permits, zoning, and land
2492use approvals.
2493     Section 19.  Subsection (5) of section 420.615, Florida
2494Statutes, is amended to read:
2495     420.615  Affordable housing land donation density bonus
2496incentives.--
2497     (5)  The local government, as part of the approval process,
2498shall adopt a comprehensive plan amendment, pursuant to part II
2499of chapter 163, for the receiving land that incorporates the
2500density bonus. Such amendment shall be deemed a small scale
2501amendment, shall be subject only to the requirements of adopted
2502in the manner as required for small-scale amendments pursuant to
2503s. 163.3187(1)(b)3.b. and c., is not subject to the requirements
2504of s. 163.3184(3)-(11)(3)-(6), and is exempt from s.
2505163.3187(1)(b)3.a. and from the limitation on the frequency of
2506plan amendments as provided in s. 163.3187. An affected person
2507as defined in s. 163.3184 may file a petition for administrative
2508review pursuant to s. 163.3187(3) to challenge the compliance of
2509an adopted plan amendment.
2510     Section 20.  Subsection (2) of section 257.193, Florida
2511Statutes, is amended to read:
2512     257.193  Community Libraries in Caring Program.--
2513     (2)  The purpose of the Community Libraries in Caring
2514Program is to assist libraries in rural communities, as defined
2515in s. 288.0656(2)(e) 288.0656(2)(b) and subject to the
2516provisions of s. 288.06561, to strengthen their collections and
2517services, improve literacy in their communities, and improve the
2518economic viability of their communities.
2519     Section 21.  Section 288.019, Florida Statutes, is amended
2520to read:
2521     288.019  Rural considerations in grant review and
2522evaluation processes.--
2523     (1)  Notwithstanding any other law, and to the fullest
2524extent possible, the member agencies and organizations of the
2525Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) as defined in s.
2526288.0656(6)(a) shall review all grant and loan application
2527evaluation criteria to ensure the fullest access for rural
2528counties as defined in s. 288.0656(2)(e) 288.0656(2)(b) to
2529resources available throughout the state.
2530     (2)(1)  Each REDI agency and organization shall review all
2531evaluation and scoring procedures and develop modifications to
2532those procedures which minimize the impact of a project within a
2533rural area.
2534     (a)(2)  Evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must
2535provide for an appropriate ranking based on the proportionate
2536impact that projects have on a rural area when compared with
2537similar project impacts on an urban area.
2538     (b)(3)  Evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must
2539recognize the disparity of available fiscal resources for an
2540equal level of financial support from an urban county and a
2541rural county.
2542     1.(a)  The evaluation criteria should weight contribution
2543in proportion to the amount of funding available at the local
2544level.
2545     2.(b)  In-kind match should be allowed and applied as
2546financial match when a county is experiencing financial distress
2547through elevated unemployment at a rate in excess of the state's
2548average by 5 percentage points or because of the loss of its ad
2549valorem base.
2550     (c)(4)  For existing programs, the modified evaluation
2551criteria and scoring procedure must be delivered to the Office
2552of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development for distribution to
2553the REDI agencies and organizations. The REDI agencies and
2554organizations shall review and make comments. Future rules,
2555programs, evaluation criteria, and scoring processes must be
2556brought before a REDI meeting for review, discussion, and
2557recommendation to allow rural counties fuller access to the
2558state's resources.
2559     Section 22.  Section 288.06561, Florida Statutes, is
2560amended to read:
2561     288.06561  Reduction or waiver of financial match
2562requirements.--
2563     (1)  Notwithstanding any other law, the member agencies and
2564organizations of the Rural Economic Development Initiative
2565(REDI), as defined in s. 288.0656(6)(a), shall review the
2566financial match requirements for projects in rural areas as
2567defined in s. 288.0656(2)(e) 288.0656(2)(b).
2568     (2)(1)  Each agency and organization shall develop a
2569proposal to waive or reduce the match requirement for rural
2570areas.
2571     (3)(2)  Agencies and organizations shall ensure that all
2572proposals are submitted to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and
2573Economic Development for review by the REDI agencies.
2574     (4)(3)  These proposals shall be delivered to the Office of
2575Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development for distribution to the
2576REDI agencies and organizations. A meeting of REDI agencies and
2577organizations must be called within 30 days after receipt of
2578such proposals for REDI comment and recommendations on each
2579proposal.
2580     (5)(4)  Waivers and reductions must be requested by the
2581county or community, and such county or community must have
2582three or more of the factors identified in s. 288.0656(2)(c)
2583288.0656(2)(a).
2584     (6)(5)  Any other funds available to the project may be
2585used for financial match of federal programs when there is
2586fiscal hardship, and the match requirements may not be waived or
2587reduced.
2588     (7)(6)  When match requirements are not reduced or
2589eliminated, donations of land, though usually not recognized as
2590an in-kind match, may be permitted.
2591     (8)(7)  To the fullest extent possible, agencies and
2592organizations shall expedite the rule adoption and amendment
2593process if necessary to incorporate the reduction in match by
2594rural areas in fiscal distress.
2595     (9)(8)  REDI shall include in its annual report an
2596evaluation on the status of changes to rules, number of awards
2597made with waivers, and recommendations for future changes.
2598     Section 23.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section
2599339.2819, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2600     339.2819  Transportation Regional Incentive Program.--
2601     (4)
2602     (b)  In allocating Transportation Regional Incentive
2603Program funds, priority shall be given to projects that:
2604     1.  Provide connectivity to the Strategic Intermodal System
2605developed under s. 339.64.
2606     2.  Support economic development and the movement of goods
2607in rural areas of critical economic concern designated under s.
2608288.0656(7)(a) 288.0656(7).
2609     3.  Are subject to a local ordinance that establishes
2610corridor management techniques, including access management
2611strategies, right-of-way acquisition and protection measures,
2612appropriate land use strategies, zoning, and setback
2613requirements for adjacent land uses.
2614     4.  Improve connectivity between military installations and
2615the Strategic Highway Network or the Strategic Rail Corridor
2616Network.
2617     Section 24.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (15) of section
2618627.6699, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2619     627.6699  Employee Health Care Access Act.--
2620     (15)  SMALL EMPLOYERS ACCESS PROGRAM.--
2621     (d)  Eligibility.--
2622     1.  Any small employer that is actively engaged in
2623business, has its principal place of business in this state,
2624employs up to 25 eligible employees on business days during the
2625preceding calendar year, employs at least 2 employees on the
2626first day of the plan year, and has had no prior coverage for
2627the last 6 months may participate.
2628     2.  Any municipality, county, school district, or hospital
2629employer located in a rural community as defined in s.
2630288.0656(2)(e) 288.0656(2)(b) may participate.
2631     3.  Nursing home employers may participate.
2632     4.  Each dependent of a person eligible for coverage is
2633also eligible to participate.
2634
2635Any employer participating in the program must do so until the
2636end of the term for which the carrier providing the coverage is
2637obligated to provide such coverage to the program. Coverage for
2638a small employer group that ceases to meet the eligibility
2639requirements of this section may be terminated at the end of the
2640policy period for which the necessary premiums have been paid.
2641     Section 25.  The sum of $300,000 is appropriated from
2642nonrecurring revenue in the General Revenue Fund to the
2643Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations for the
26442008-2009 fiscal year to pay for costs associated with the
2645mobility fee study and pilot project program established in
2646section 4.
2647     Section 26.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.