Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 03-24-05 — reading text

Committee. Staff also represents the City on the Technical Coordinating Committee I.. TCC) of the Fort Walton Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), several subcommittees of the MPO, several committees of the Chamber of Commerce and the Building Industry Association. Goals and Objectives ' Promote customer service for citizens and internal service recipients by processing requests within 24 hours. Use the website to relay information on building permits and other CDS activities. Identify new ways of providing better customer service, such as brochures, filii newsletters, etc. Continue staff meetings to ensure positive information flow to all divisions and encourage all employees to suggest ideas that would reduce time or materials cost. Stress the importance of producing work products in a timely manner with as many costllabor savings as possible. III and ZoniD!! BuDdin!! fill The Zoning Division: ( 1) reviews and comments on all development plans requiring review for compliance with Land Development Code provisions; ( 2) reviews all building permit applications requiring zoning, landscaping, and sign approvals for Code compliance; ( 3) provides staff assistance for all zoning applications, including zoning r variances, conditional uses and rezonings; ( 4) administers the Development Review Committee; ( 5) reviews occupational licenses and liquor licenses for zoning compliance; 6) reviews and comments on variance applications; and ( 7)provides staff technical assistance to the Board of Adjustment. The Building Inspection Division employs certified plan reviewers and state certified building inspectors who ensure that the City's adopted land development and building I III codes are met. The staff provides inspection services in all facets of construction filii including building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas. Building inspectors are also charged with enforcement of the City's Housing Code. This Division is responsible for: fill 17  I 1) providing technical assistance and determinations regarding inquiries of building I codes; ( 2) reviewing building applications for Building Code compliance; and ( 3) inspecting residential structures for compliance with the Housing Code. Goals and Objectives Ensure expedient processing of building permit applications while maintaining II code compliance. Improve the quality and timeliness of inspections of all building permits. Expand the Development Review Committee to improve its effectiveness. Enhance the technical expertise of the Zoning and Building st:afE Create building and zoning informational pamphlets to increase the public' s lilt knowledge of current processes and requirements. W.'!! Develop a Contractor Satisfaction Survey. Nei2hborhood Imorovement The CDS Neighborhood Improvement Division has become an increasingly important I division within the Department since its creation in 1990. The division is responsible for overseeing the improvement of neighborhoods by routinely inspecting for property and I building maintenance violations and following up on complaints of violations to City zoning and land use codes. Goals and Objectives I Maintain Level ill certification for both code inspectors. Provide an annual training program to community policing officers and meter I readers so they will be able to assist in identifying violations and to better inform code enforcement inspectors of violations. Maintain a 90% complaint resolution rate. I PlanoinS! The Planning Division provides comprehensive (long- range) planning. Comprehensive I planning entails involvement with broad issues which have City-wide, urban area or regional implications for the City's future growth and development. Long range planning also provides technical assistance to the Municipal Planning Board (MPB) regarding all I applications to rezone, seek subdivision approval, and requests to annex, as well as amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Plannine Division staff has the responsibility for preparation and administration of all grant applications that involve I community development. The Planning Division is responsible for: (1) conducting the 5- year Evaluation and Appraisal Report ( EAR) on the status of the Comprehensive Plan; 2) preparing the EAR-driven Comprehensive Plan amendments; ( 3) developing I appropriate revisions to the City's Comprehensive Plan; ( 4) reviewing and providing technical comment on the appropriateness of any proposed revisions to the Comprehensive Plan requested by property owners; ( 5) preparing amendments to the I Land Development Code; ( 6) preparing recommendations to the MPB regarding the appropriateness of requests to rezone or amend the Comp Plan; and ( 7) providing technical assistance to the Vision Plan Stewardship Committee (VPSC). I 18 1  Goals and Objectives Develop Water's Edge Master Plan - a special area of study to address Vision Plan goals to maintain views of Choctawhatchee Bay and Santa Rosa Sound while III providing public access to water-related activities. filii Develop an annexation strategy for enclaves and pockets of unincorporated areas. Communitv Develooment Block Grant This division administers the Community Development Block Grant and other housing programs. Goals and Objectives Use annual federal grant funds ($ 176, 000) to rehabilitate homes and provide III funding for summer youth enrichment and after school programs. Generate more involvement by the Citizen Advisory Committee in the III Community Development Block Grant Program by meeting quarterly to inform the committee about existing or planned projects. Continue to support and celebrate Fair Housing during April and participate in the Annual Housing Expo at the Santa Rosa Mall, which provides assistance to low and moderate income residents. Re- roof and paint homes through World Changers or similar program of junior and senior high students who spend one week in the City during the month of July performing these community services projects. Generate more involvement with Continuum of CareIHomeless program. Communitv Redevelooment A2:encv The Community Redevelopment Agency Fund ( CRA) is a discretely presented been component unit that has established a district where redevelopment needs have identified. The CRA Board identifies and approves projects. Goals and Objectives Complete the Beal Parkway Implementation Plan to identify strategies for the most effective balance of land uses, identify neighborhood centers for gathering places, improve physical image and perception, provide for a variety of housing opportunities - both rental and home ownership~ provide infrastructure improvements identified in the CRA Finding of Necessity and by the Public Works Dept., and revitalize commercial areas to provide for an increased tax base. Purchase one or more residential lots to be made available to non-profit housing agencies ( such as Habitat for Humanity) for the purpose of constructing residential dwelling units. Complete rehabilitation of up to three houses under the Residential Rehabilitation Program. Prepare construction plans for Phase I of the Eglin Lighting Program. ' Continue the infrastructure improvement and maintenance programs for water, sewer, stormwater, and sidewalks. 19  II Implement the streetscape recommendations of the Urban Master Plan and the I updated CRA Plan to improve appearance and increase landscaping of public rights- of-way. Continue Matching Streetscape Grant Program to assist commercial property I owners in making improvements to the abutting right-of- way. Continue to pursue easements from property for the boardwalk owners development along Santa Rosa Sound between Brooks Bridge and Liza Jackson I Park to permit public access to Santa Rosa Sound and allow continued redevelopment efforts. I Community Development Sen'ices Department Current Issues and Challenges 1. Complete the amendments to the Land Development Code to be consistent with Directions: The Comprehensive Plan of the City of Fort Walton Beach 2008. I 2. Expand the neighborhood planning initiative. 3. Complete the Beal Parkway Neighborhood Plan. 4. Update the CRA Plan. I I I I I I I III III III 20