Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 05-27-11 regular — reading text

Q C) DwDw ou PacketPacket Pg.Pg. 2525  City Council of Fort Walton Beach ENGINEERING & UTILITY SERVICES MEMORANDUM To: Robert T. Meams, City Manager From: Michael Beedie, Engineering & Utility Services Director Date: May 24, 2011 Subject: Ordinance 1847 - Economic Dev Element 1. BACKGROUND: 1. 1. The City Council adopted the first Economic Development Element of the Comprehensive Plan on September 22, 2009. 1. 2. Major revisions were adopted to nine elements of the City' s Comprehensive Plan in early 2011 to create a more streamlined, readable Plan. Therefore, the Economic Development Element is being revised to be consistent with the vision of the City and the updated Comprehensive Plan. Together, all elements of the Comprehensive Plan will be updated and reflect a planning horizon to 2021. 1. 3. At its January 13, 2011 regular meeting, the Municipal Planning Board discussed desired changes and direction for revisions to the Economic Development Element. 1. 4 At its April 7, 2011 meeting the Municipal Planning Board voted to recommend approval of the Element and to transmit it to the City Council. 2. DISCUSSION: 2. 1. Based on feedback received by local business owners and citizens, the Economic Advisory Group, the Municipal Planning Board ( Local Planning Agency), and the Community Redevelopment Agency, the Economic Development Element has been completed. The major changes from the first include Element include: 2. 1. 1. Removed introductory, overview, and historical information to the data and analysis section ( consistent with the rest of the Plan). 2. 1. 2. Removed deadlines throughout the element, as some dates have already come to pass. 2. 1. 3. Incorporated mixed -use policies from the updated Future Land Use Element. 2. 1. 4. Incorporated business development strategies from the draft CRA Plan update. 2. 1. 5. Streamlined the element to focus on improved business services, existing assets, agency partnerships, and strategies for housing. 2. 2. The primary objectives of the revised Economic Development Element are: Packet Pg. 26  1 2. 2. 1. Continued support of targeted economic development activities that result in business growth and retention; 2. 2.2. Participation in partnerships and cooperation with various agencies to improve economic development strategies and outcomes; 2. 2. 3. Continued evaluation and improvement, where needed, of land use plans and development regulations to integrate an appropriate foundation for successful economic development. 3. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: 3. 1. Ordinance 1847 has no immediate financial impact on the City. 4. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: 4. 1. Staff recommends approval of Ordinance 1847. ATTACHMENTS: Current EDE ( PDT) DRAFT Economic Development Clement ( PDFJ draft Ordl847EDE PDT) SIGNATURE BLOCK: Stella Jones Completed 04/ 01/ 2011 8: 59 AM Tim Bolduc Completed 04/01/ 2011 1: 23 PM Michael Beedie Completed 04/ 01/ 2011 3: 39 PM Carole Jones Completed 04/04/ 2011 1: 27 PM City Manager Completed 04/ 20/ 2011 1126 AM City Manager Skipped 04/ 19/ 2011 11: 12 AM City Council Pending Packet Pg. 27  11. 1. a FORT WALTON BEACH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT Page CIAOverview ..... .......................... __................. ............................... 1- 3 LIB Economic History ........................................... ............................... I- 3 L. Introduction .................................................. ............................... 1- 4 1. 3 Goals, Objectives, and Policies ........................... ............................... I- 4 Element I - I Packet Pg. 28  11. 1. a FORT WALTON BEACH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN wcuE a u w0uEc ra acmvOu NN W W CN U C LUEEN Q Element 1- 2 Packet Pg. 29  11. 1. a FORT WALTON BEACH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT I. IA Overview The State of Florida has recommended that all local governments write or develop an Economic Development Element as part of their Comprehensive Plan, The Element identifies goals and objectives that can be used for the development of appropriate and sustainable economic growth. Without a plan, a schedule for implementation, and a mechanism for accountability, economic development will be scattered, efforts diluted, and results poor. In the 21" century, communities must compete globally to market their areas to potential clients as ideal locations for business activity. At the same time, business retention efforts and resources are devoted to maintaining the existing base of ca businesses and assisting firms experiencing difficulties, while encouraging the expansion of others. Economic development is more than a process of attracting business and industry. Economic > wEm development is a process of identifying funding sources and developing a suitable, stable economic, o 2 social and political environment in which progressive, constructive, balanced growth may be realized over a period of years. o c0 Through this Economic Development Element, the City of Fort Walton Beach is strengthening its to 2004 Vision Plan Focus on the Future, implementing the 2007 Fort Walton Beach Community r Redevelopment Agency Plan, and 2006 Waterfront Plan Charring the Course; we are broadcasting our ° m stable local economy as opposed to the unstable national market, and committing to the greatest extent a possible that governmental policies, procedures and land -use decisions encourage industry innovation, c creativity, and entrepreneurship for long- term economic prosperity. c LIB Economic History In 2007, the City Council directed city staff to improve and strengthen economic development initiatives. In 2008, the Vision Plan Stewardship Committee determined through corporate sampling that economic development is the most important issue facing our community. Also in 2008, the Local Planning Agency adopted an Evaluation and Appraisal Report which identified the need for economic suslainobility in an environment of intense development pressure. In the 10 -year planning horizon, market forces indicate that the Fort Walton Beach area will continue to be the leading center for technology in northwest Florida. Our community stands to weather the economic recession better than most due to an entrepreneurial business climate and global technology - related jobs in conjunction with the Department of Defense. Eglin Air Force Base is the world' s largest Department of Defense installation, spanning 724 square miles, and defense contractor companies are established throughout the Northwest Florida region. The Eglin Air Force Base Complex ( which includes Hurlburt and Duke Air Force Bases) represents an annual $ 7. 0 billion impact in the area and an economic multiplier at ten times the national average. Our professional and technical service industries leverage the extensive government contracting that exists with local military bases. Additionally, Fort Walton Beach has redevelopment plans which provide incentives and minimize the risk for capital investment within its Community Redevelopment Area and Commerce and Technology Park. Also unlike other coastal communities, the City of Fort Walton Beach' s coastlines are not monopolized by imposing condominiums and a " soft economy" defined as being disproportionately service- oriented. Our tourists don' t define our city - our residents do. We operate a Element 1- 3 Packet Pg. 30  11. 1. a FORT WALTON BEACH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 365- days -a -year economy that' s strong in technology as well as commerce. We like to say we' re big city strong and small -town friendly. 1. 2 Introduction In Fort Walton Beach, character is our commodity. The