HomeMy WebLinkAbout03. Port Sub-Element 2A GOPPort Sub -element 2A
GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Originally adopted via Ordinance 15-017
The Port of Fort Pierce vision is to maximize economic benefit to the region while minimizing
impact on the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean. The vision for the Port of Fort Pierce
encourages economic redevelopment of the port under well-defined land use and planning
guidelines and streamlined port governance, with sufficient flexibility to merge market demand
with marine industrial, marine commercial, marine research, and maritime academic/vocational
uses. The vision includes environmentally sound best management practices, as well as
transitional buffers between various uses.
References to the "Port of Fort Pierce" in the Goals, Objectives, and Policies shall be interpreted
to mean the County Port Authority working in coordination with the City of Fort Pierce to implement
the Goals, Objectives and Policies of the Port Sub -element. An Interlocal Agreement between the
County and the City of Fort Pierce further defines the responsibilities of each entity.
Goal 2A.1: Responsibility for the Port - The overall responsibility for the management of the
Port of Fort Pierce is vested by law with the St. Lucie County Commission and should be managed
in the public interest of all the citizens of St. Lucie County.
Objective 2A.1.1: St. Lucie County, working with the City of Fort Pierce, interested agencies
and private property owners and consistent with the Port enabling laws and the constitutional
and statutory protections for the rights of existing private property owners should ensure that
the public interest and quality of life is protected when exercising public control of port
property.
Policy 2A.1.1.1: St. Lucie County shall maintain the necessary oversight of the Port of
Fort Pierce to ensure compliance with applicable state law governing deepwater ports and
to guarantee the financial feasibility of any publicly funded infrastructure within the port.
Policy 2A.1.1.2: St. Lucie County shall determine whether to initiate actions necessary to
acquire public ownership of those areas in the port determined to be in the public interest.
Policy 2A.1.1.3: St. Lucie County shall cooperate with the City of Fort Pierce, other
affected local governments, the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), the
Treasure Coast Regional Planning CGouncil and the Florida Seaport Transportation and
Economic Development Council (FSTED).
Policy 2A.1.1.4: St. Lucie County, operating through its existing and future legal
authorities, shall initiate discussions with the City of Fort Pierce, with other public agencies,
and with the private business sector to create the legal agreements, memoranda of
understanding, and joint planning agreements necessary to implement the goals,
objectives, and policies of the Master Plan for the Port of Fort Pierce.
St. Lucie County 2A-0 Adopted 4.2.2019
Comprehensive Plan Port Sub -element GOPs
Goal 2A.2: Land Use Map for the Port of Fort Pierce - The Port of Fort Pierce shall establish a
General Master Development Map for the Port that establishes a general Port Operations Area
Bboundary to provide elected officials, prospective investors, port facility developers, and the
public a clear understanding of the physical location of the activities that could be accommodated
in the Port of Fort Pierce. The General Master Development Map for the Port of Fort Pierce is not
to be used alone but rather in conjunction with the other development policies found in this plan
and the applicable Local Comprehensive Plans for St. Lucie County and the City of Fort Pierce.
Objective 2A.2.1: The General Master Development Map for the Port of Fort Pierce shall be
as depicted in Figure 2A-1. The land use activities shown in this map shall comply with
applicable State, County and Municipal laws including the applicable Local Comprehensive
Plans for St. Lucie County and the City of Fort Pierce, adopted pursuant to Chapter 163,
Florida Statutes.
Policy 2A.2.1.1: The general land use classification is to be used to determine
consistency between the General Master Development Map for the Port of Fort Pierce
and the applicable local government comprehensive plan. The Port of Fort Pierce will
coordinate with the City of Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County to determine whether the Port
General Master Development Map is consistent with the City and the County
Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use designations for the Port Operations.
Policy 2A.2.1.2: The Port of Fort Pierce shall support/seek development activities such
as yacht construction and maintenance, maritime industrial and commercial uses, marine
research facilities, maritime academic and vocational uses, depending on market
conditions.
Policy 2A.2.1.3: By March 1-of each year, the Port of Fort Pierce Director shall submit to
the County Administrator or their designee an updated five (5) year capital
budget/improvement plan for the Port. To the extent that local funds are required to
address a capital improvement need, the Board of County Commissioners shall be
requested to provide the necessary funding to meet that need. Nothing in this policy shall
be construed as to prohibit the Board of County Commissioners from requesting that the
City of Fort Pierce, the Fort Pierce Community Redevelopment Agency, or any other
appropriate agency or entity assist in funding one or more capital improvement project(s)
within the Port Operations Area.
Goal 2A.3: Port Activities - The quality of life for St. Lucie County residents will be strengthened
and maintained by enhancing the economic viability, attractiveness, environmental quality, and
social benefits associated with activities at the Port of Fort Pierce.
Objective 2A.3.1: The Port of Fort Pierce should strengthen the economic development
activities in the Port Operations Area by working with federal, state and local government, the
private sector, and other interested parties to formulate an economic development plan that
will foster new jobs that exceed the County's average annual wage and enhance the
community's prosperity.
Policy 2A.3.1.1: The Port of Fort Pierce shall support County and City efforts to purchase
and lease property within the Port Operations Area that will support economic
development of the Port through added revenue streams while allowing for increased
opportunities for Federal and State grants.
St. Lucie County 2A-1 Adopted 4.2.2019
Comprehensive Plan Port Sub -element GOPs
Policy 2A.3.1.2: Future public infrastructure improvements in the Port Planning Area will
be made consistent with the Port Master Plan, to include the following projects: Harbor
Pointe shoreline protection, refurbish and/or improve City marina bulkheads, Fisherman's
Wharf, improve Terminal Drive, improve Harbor Street, improve Port Avenue, construct a
connecting road between 2"d Street to the Harbor Pointe property, construct additional
bulkheads at the City Marina, construct pedestrian linkage along 2"d Street to downtown,
construct pedestrian linkage to Old Dixie Highway/US 1, develop park infrastructure,
develop engineering master stormwater management system for port property including
offsite alternatives, and coordinate and install improvements along with corresponding
infrastructure element.
Policy 2A.3.1.3: St. Lucie County, working with federal, state and local governments, the
private sector, and other interested parties, may provide incentives for jobs that exceed
the County's average annual wage. St. Lucie County, the City of Fort Pierce, private
property owners, and local economic development groups should establish a proactive
campaign to market the Port of Fort Pierce.
Policy 2A.3.1.4: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with federal, state and local
governments, the private sector, and other interested parties, will encourage port
industries to develop job training programs and use the local workforce to the fullest extent
possible.
Objective 2A.3.3: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with federal, state and local governments,
the private sector, and other interested parties, shall maintain, increase, and promote marine
industry and related scientific and commercial activities at the Port of Fort Pierce so there is
no net loss of marine industry.
Policy 2A.3.3.1: The Port of Fort Pierce, in cooperation with other governmental bodies,
the private sector, and other interested parties, shall accommodate water -related marine
activities and related service activities within the Port Planning Area.
Policy 2A.3.3.2: The Port of Fort Pierce, in cooperation with other governmental bodies,
the private sector, and other interested parties, shall protect, maintain, and promote
marine industry activity from encroachment or displacement by incompatible land uses.
Objective 2A.3.5: The Port of Fort Pierce, in compliance with federal, state, and local laws,
shall work with appropriate public safety entities to improve and maintain the port security
management plan for the Port Operations Area.
Policy 2A.3.5.1: The Port of Ft. Pierce shall use its best efforts to ensure that port security
will protect port users and citizens from crime or terrorism concerns and prevent any
increase in criminal activity or enterprises.
Policy 2A.3.5.2: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with federal, state and local
governmental bodies, the private sector, and other interested parties, shall develop a
public education program for the port security management plan to ensure that the
owners, users, other responsible parties, and members of the public understand port
security.
Goal 2A.4: Environmental Protection - The Indian River Lagoon is recognized as the most
biodiverse estuary in North America and as an important component of the local economic base
St. Lucie County 2A-2 Adopted 4.2.2019
Comprehensive Plan Port Sub -element GOPs
and the overall quality of life in the community. As such, the integrity of the Indian River Lagoon
shall be protected by correcting any detrimental effects caused by current operations and
ensuring long-term development and improvement activities are consistent with all local, state
and federal environmental laws and regulations.
Objective 2A.4.1: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with federal, state, and local governmental
bodies, the private sector, and other interested parties, shall ensure the protection and
restoration of the Indian River Lagoon and avoid future degradation of the Lagoon's ecological
health due to port activities.
Policy 2A.4.1.1: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with federal, state and local
governmental bodies, the private sector, and other interested parties, will regulate
discharges coming from port activities into the Indian River Lagoon to prevent air and
water pollution in violation of any adopted federal, state, or local laws or regulations.
Berthing, seawall and drainage infrastructure will actively be pursued to eliminate or
reduce and treat existing runoff.
Policy 2A.4.1.2: The Port of Fort Pierce shall work with other governmental bodies, private
interests. and other interested parties to preserve and restore seagrass beds and mitigate
any permitted losses to existing seagrass beds caused by port activities to the maximum
extent possible.
Policy 2A.4.1.3: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies, private
interests, and other interested parties, shall protect endangered and threatened species
from port activities in the Indian River Lagoon-; including excessive freshwater, suspended
materials, nutrient inflows, toxic substances and exotic invasive species.
Objective 2A.4.2: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies, private
interests, and other interested parties, shall protect and maintain the existing natural coastal
areas and resources within the Port Planning Area.
Policy 2A.4.23.13: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies,
private interests, and other interested parties, will develop a list of best management
practices for environmental protection, including water quality and air quality, which have
been used successfully by other Ports to ensure efficient and effective management of
port operation activities while providing environmental protection.
Policy 2A.4.23.24: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies,
private interests, and other interested parties, shall encourage the development of
stormwater run-off control systems where possible to protect the natural coastline in the
port and surrounding areas.
Policy 2A.4.2.3: The Port of Fort Pierce will work with other governmental bodies, private
interests, and other interested parties, to prevent detrimental effects on the Indian River
Lagoon caused by port activities by supporting estuarine diversity and the protection,
maintenance, and enhancement of the population of endangered and threatened species.
Objective 2A.4.3: In keeping with the St. Lucie County Manatee Protection Plan (MPP), the
Port of Fort Pierce will work with other governmental agencies and private interests to improve
protection of the manatees and enforcement of existing related laws within the Port Operations
Area.
St. Lucie County 2A-3 Adopted 4.2.2019
Comprehensive Plan Port Sub -element GOPs
Policy 2A.4.3.1: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies, private
interests, and other interested parties, will adjust future and proposed dock design and
construction to be consistent with manatee protection measures.
Policy 2A.4.3.2: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies, private
interests, and other interested parties, will protect and/or mitigate seagrass beds and
submerged aquatic vegetation that serve as manatee habitat in the Port Planning Area.
Policy 2A.4.3.3: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies, private
interests, and other interested parties, will help to develop guidelines and establish an
education program for crew procedures regarding observing and avoiding manatees when
arriving and departing from docks in the Port Planning Area.
Goal 2A.5: Emergency Management - The public will be protected in various emergency
situations through cooperation between the Port of Fort Pierce and other governmental bodies to
achieve maximum levels of safety and to restrict commerce of hazardous materials in the Port of
Fort Pierce.
Objective 2A.5.1: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with regional and state emergency
management agencies, private interests, and other interested parties, shall identify new and
existing procedures to ensure public safety in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster.
Policy 2A.5.1.1: The Port of Fort Pierce shall comply with the comprehensive emergency
management plans of appropriate local general purpose government to ensure safe
evacuation of the Port during times of a hurricane or other disasters.
Policy 2A.5.1.2: The Port of Fort Pierce shall work with the City of Fort Pierce and St.
Lucie County to ensure that all development activities within the Port Planning Area,
including the Port Operations Area, are consistent with State of Florida's policies on
development within areas identified as Coastal High Hazard Areas. New residential uses
within areas designated as Coastal High Hazard as defined in the St. Lucie County Land
Development Code, shall be discouraged.
Objective 2A.5.2: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies, shall
comply and cooperate to ensure that adequate procedures are in place to respond to a
hazardous material spill.
Policy 2A.5.2.1: The Port of Fort Pierce shall comply with the processes of federal, state,
and local governments for safe and expedient cleanup of hazardous spills.
Policy 2A.5.2.2: The Port of Fort Pierce shall cooperate with governmental bodies to
provide complete and timely information to the public in the event of a hazardous materials
accident.
Goal 2A.6: Landside Infrastructure - Landside and waterside infrastructure serving the Port of
Fort Pierce should meet the Port's future requirements in a manner consistent with the abilities of
the appropriate agencies to provide the services needed to support approved port activities.
Objective 2A.6.1: The Port of Fort Pierce shall work with other governmental agencies to
improve linkages between the Port Facilities and intermodal transportation routes.
St. Lucie County 2A-4 Adopted 4.2.2019
Comprehensive Plan Port Sub -element GOPs
Policy 2A.6.1.1: The Port of Fort Pierce should enhance and expand activities that tie the
Port to the Treasure Coast International Airport and coordinate with the St. Lucie TPO,
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) and the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad, Tri-rail and other possible rail services,
in order to encourage multimodal development, maximize intermodal transportation
connections, and facilitate the continued economic growth, development, and vitality of St.
Lucie County.
Policy 2A.67.1.23: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies,
should facilitate expansion of public transit to and from the Port Planning Area.
Goal 2A.73: Navigation Channels — Navigation channels serving the port's maritime and
recreational activities shall meet existing and limited future needs as outlined in this plan.
Objective 2A.7.1: The Port of Fort Pierce shall coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and the Florida Inland Navigation District to provide for the maintenance of the
navigation channels, including location of spoil disposal sites and adequate channel depths.
Policy 2A.7.1.1: The Port of Fort Pierce shall coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard in the
placement and maintenance of the navigational aids within the port area.
Policy 2A.7.1.2: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies, the
private sector, and other interested parties, shall continue to operate, maintain and
improve a permanent spoil disposal site for materials dredged from the Port Planning
Area.
Policy 2A.7.1.3: The Port of Fort Pierce, working with other governmental bodies, the
private sector, and other interested parties, shall seek to improve the condition of Taylor
Creek from the S-50 Spillway to the Intracoastal Waterway through maintenance dredging
and water quality improvement projects.
St. Lucie County 2A-5 Adopted 4.2.2019
Comprehensive Plan Port Sub -element GOPs
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HOUSING ELEMENT
GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Goal 3.1: To provide guidance, based on accepted planning principles, for the provision of
housing resources for all citizens through public/private cooperative arrangements.
Objective 3.1.1: The County shall ensure the creation and/or preservation of affordable
housing for all current and anticipated future residents of the jurisdiction, and households
with special housing needs including rural and farmworker housing, workforce housing
as well as adequate sites and distribution of housing for very -low-income, low-income
and moderate -income households.
Policy 3.1.1.1 - To provide sufficient land to meet the future housing needs, the
Future Land Use Map shall provide future land use designations that allow a
variety of housing types, affordability and densities.
Policy 3.1.1.2 - The County shall continue to permit high density residential
development in Planned Mixed Use Development projects.
Policy 3.1.1.3 - In order to facilitate the location of new commercial and industrial
enterprises especially high-tech industries, the County shall maintain sufficient
housing to encourage the relocation of new businesses.
Policy 3.1.1.4 - The County shall encourage residential development in the vicinity
of new industrial and commercial development.
Objective 3.1.2: The Land Development Code shall continue to define incentives
to facilitate public and private sector cooperation.
Policy 3.1.2.1 - The County will continue to review ordinances, codes, regulations
and the permitting process for the purpose of identifying excessive requirements,
and amending or adding other requirements in order to maintain or increase
private sector participation in meeting the housing needs, while continuing to
insure the health, welfare and safety of the residents.
Policy 3.1.2.2 - Based upon economic data showing need, the County shall
continue to support incentives including fast track processing and reduced permit
fees for proposed affordable housing developments.
Policy 3.1.2.3 - The County shall incorporate land development regulations which
insure that high density residential developments incorporate accommodations
for public transit facilities if along transit routes.
Policy 3.1.2.4 - Based upon economic data showing need, the Land Development
Code shall continue to provide private sector and nonprofit organizations
incentives for the provision of affordable housing, including density bonuses.
Goal 3.2: To provide an adequate mix of safe and sanitary housing that meets the needs of
existing and future St. Lucie County residents.
Objective 3.2.1: The County shall, as needed, review the housing needs within the
Unincorporated County of all income groups and shall amend the Comprehensive Plan
and the Land Development Code as necessary.
Policy 3.2.1.1 - The County shall review housing affordability based upon
property values to ensure efficiency of the workforce and affordable housing
delivery system.
Policy 3.2.1.2 - Consider developing guidelines for an inclusionary housing
program that provides incentives for private development to include a portion of
residential units.
Objective 3.2.2: The County shall continue to maintain a housing data which
includes updated information from the US Census and other sources about the type,
tenure, cost and condition of housing stock in St. Lucie County.
Policy 3.2.2.1 - The data shall be updated annually to assure that reliable and
current data are available.
Policy 3.2.2.2 - Using the housing database, the County will provide information,
technical assistance, and incentives to the private sector and nonprofit
organizations to maintain a housing production capacity sufficient to meet the
required demand.
Policy 3.2.2.3 - The Land Development Code shall not restrict the location of
publicly assisted or low and moderate income based housing within single-family
neighborhoods.
Objective 3.2.3: The County will develop a comprehensive housing program to address
substandard housing.
Policy 3.2.3.1 - The County shall continue to encourage rehabilitation of
substandard, dilapidated housing through rehabilitation grants that follow green
initiatives such as the use of green, energy efficient materials as appropriate.
These materials include, but are not limited to, green building materials, energy
efficient appliances, and renewable energy, such as photovoltaic and other
renewable energy as appropriate on projects.
Policy 3.2.3.2 - The County will seek partnerships with cooperative neighborhood
and civic groups to further the elimination of substandard dilapidated housing.
Policy 3.2.3.3 - Demolition may be undertaken by a public agency, or nonprofit
organization set up to meet the goals, objectives and policies of this Element.
Policy 3.2.3.4 - The County shall consider creating public -private partnerships
with private non-profit corporations for the provision of affordable and workforce
housing.
St. Lucie County
Comprehensive Plan
3-1
Adopted 4.2.2019
Housing Element GOPs
Objective 3.2.4: The County shall maintain an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee,
consisting of public- and private -sector representatives. This committee will review the
local housing incentive strategies.
Policy 3.2.4.1 — In accordance with Section 420.9076, F.S., the Affordable
Housing Advisory Committee will be assigned to review and make
recommendations in the following areas:
1) The processing of approvals of development orders or permits, as defined in
Sections 163.3164 (7) and (8), Florida Statutes, for affordable housing
projects is expedited to a greater degree than other projects;
2) The modification of impact -fee requirements, including reduction or waiver of
fees and alternative methods of fee payment for affordable housing;
3) The allowance of flexibility in densities for affordable housing;
4) The reservation of infrastructure capacity for housing for very -low income
persons, low income persons, and moderate -income persons;
5) The allowance of affordable accessory residential units in residential zoning
districts;
6) The reduction of parking and setback requirements for affordable housing;
7) The allowance of flexible lot configurations, including zero -lot -line
configurations for affordable housing;
8) The modification of street requirements for affordable housing;
9) The establishment of a process by which the County considers, before
adoption, policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions that
increase the cost of housing;
10) The preparation of a printed inventory of locally owned public lands suitable
for affordable housing;
11) The support of development near transportation hubs and major employment
centers and mixed- use developments.
Policy 3.2.4.2 - Beginning in 2008 and every three years thereafter, the Affordable
Housing Advisory Committee shall assess housing needs, including affordable
housing, research issues; and make recommendations to the Board of County
Commissioners to meet the housing needs of St. Lucie County residents.
Objective 3.2.5: Sites suitable for low and moderate -income housing shall be maintained
in the County to meet the current and projected population needs.
Policy 3.2.5.1 - The County shall maintain Residential High (RH) designation in
order to provide options for development of low and moderate income housing.
Policy 3.2.5.2 - The Towns, Villages, and Countryside (TVC) Element shall continue
to require the creation of workforce housing within the designated TVC area.
Objective 3.2.6: The County shall continue to provide regulations that permit mobile
homes in the county.
Policy 3.2.6.1 - The RMH-5 zoning or a similar classification shall be retained in
the Land Development Code.
Policy 3.2.6.2 - The Land Development Code shall provide provisions allowing a
Class A mobile home to be located in any residential zoning district.
St. Lucie County 3-2 Adopted 4.2.2019
Comprehensive Plan Housing Element GOPs
Objective 3.2.7: The County shall support energy efficiency and the use of renewable
energy resources in existing housing and in the design and construction of new housing.
Policy 3.2.7.1 - The County shall encourage support for residential construction
that meets the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system or the Florida Green
Building Coalition standards.
Policy 3.2.7.2 - The County shall educate residents on home energy reduction
strategies.
Policy 3.2.7.3 - The County shall not prohibit the appropriate placement of
photovoltaic panels. The County shall develop and adopt review criteria to establish
the standards for the appropriate placement of photovoltaic panels.
Policy 3.2.7.4 - The County shall provide educational materials on the strategic
placement of landscape materials to reduce energy consumption.
Policy 3.2.7.5 - The County shall ensure that safety, aesthetics, and energy
efficiency are considered in planning affordable housing projects.
Policy 3.2.7.6 - The County shall require in all rehabilitation and replacement
projects use of green, energy efficient materials as appropriate.
Policy 3.2.7.7 - The County shall include in affordable housing projects use of
renewable energy resources to the fullest extent possible.
Policy 3.2.7.8 - The County shall encourage water reuse including use of rain
barrels by residents to reduce overall water usage.
Policy 3.2.7.9 - The review of housing affordability shall include a review of
energy efficiency and energy costs for homeowners.
Policy 3.2.7.10 - The County shall facilitate the creation of low interest loans
to residents and business owners to install energy efficiency and conservation
measures as well as renewable energy technology.
St. Lucie County 3-3 Adopted 4.2.2019
Comprehensive Plan Housing Element GOPs