DSAC Agenda 03/01/2023
Development Services Advisory
Committee
Meeting
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
3:00 pm
2800 N. Horseshoe Dr.
Naples, FL 34104
Growth Management Department
Conference Room 609/610
If you have any questions or wish to meet with
staff, please contact
Diane Lynch at 252-4283
For more information, please contact Diane Lynch at (239) 252-4283 or Diane.Lynch@CollierCountyFL.gov
Development Services Advisory Committee
Agenda
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
3:00 pm
2800 N. Horseshoe Dr., Naples, FL 34104
Growth Management Community Development,
Conference Rooms 609/610
NOTICE:
Persons wishing to speak on any Agenda item will receive up to three (3) minutes unless the Chairman adjusts the
time. Speakers are required to fill out a “Speaker Registration Form”, list the topic they wish to address and hand it
to the Staff member before the meeting begins. Please wait to be recognized by the Chairman and speak into a
microphone. State your name and affiliation before commenting. During the discussion, Committee Members may
direct questions to the speaker.
Please silence cell phones and digital devices. There may not be a break in this meeting. Please leave the room to
conduct any personal business. All parties participating in the public meeting are to observe Roberts Rules of Order
and wait to be recognized by the Chairman. Please speak one at a time and into the microphone so the Hearing
Reporter can record all statements being made.
1. Call to order - Chairman
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes:
a. DSAC meeting – February 1, 2023
b. DSAC LDR – January 17, 2023
4. Public Speakers
5. Staff Announcements/Updates
a. Development Review Division – [Jaime Cook]
b. Code Enforcement Division – [Mike Ossorio]
c. Public Utilities Department – [Matt McLean]
d. Growth Management Dept. Transportation Engineering Division – [Jay Ahmad or designee]
e. Collier County Fire Review – [Shar Beddow or Shawn Hanson, Assistant Chief, Fire Marshal]
f. North Collier Fire Review – [Chief Sean Lintz or Deputy Director Daniel Zunzunegui]
g. Operations & Regulatory Mgmt. Division – [Michael Stark]
For more information, please contact Diane Lynch at (239) 252-4283 or Diane.Lynch@CollierCountyFL.gov
h. Zoning Division – [Mike Bosi]
i. Growth Management Community Development – [Jamie French]
6. New Business
7. Old Business
8. Committee Member Comments
9. Adjourn
FUTURE MEETING DATES:
April 5, 2023 – 3:00 pm
May 3, 2023 – 3:00 pm
June 7, 2023 – 3:00 pm
February 1, 2023
Page 1 of 18
MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Naples, Florida,
February 1, 2023
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Collier County Development Services Advisory Committee, in and
for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 3 P.M. in REGULAR
SESSION at the Collier County Growth Management Department Building, Conference Room
#609/610, 2800 Horseshoe Drive North, Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
Chairman: William J. Varian
Vice Chairman: Blair Foley
David Dunnavant
James E. Boughton
Clay Brooker (excused)
Chris Mitchell
Robert Mulhere
Mario Valle
Norman Gentry
Marco Espinar
Laura Spurgeon-DeJohn
Jeremy Sterk
Jeff Curl
John English
Mark McLean
ALSO PRESENT: Jaime Cook, Director, Development Review
Jamie French, Department Head, GMD
Jeff Letourneau, Supervisor, Code Enforcement
Drew Cody, Senior Project Manager, Utilities Planning
Lorraine Lantz, Planner III, Transportation Engineering
Ken Kovensky, Director, Operations & Regulation Management
Mike Bosi, Director, Zoning Division
Patricia Mill, Senior Operations Analyst/Staff Liaison
February 1, 2023
Page 2 of 18
Any persons in need of the verbatim record of the meeting may request a copy of the audio
recording from the Collier County Growth Management Department.
1. Call to Order - Chairman
Chairman Varian called the meeting to order at 3 p.m. A quorum consisting of 12 members
was convened; two arrived later.
2. Approval of Agenda
Mr. Curl moved to approve the agenda. It was seconded by Vice-Chairman Foley. The
motion passed unanimously, 12-0.
3. Approval of Minutes
a. DSAC-LDR Meeting – July 27, 2022
b. DSAC-LDR Meeting – August 24, 2022
Mr. Curl made a motion to approve the July 27, 20222, and August 24, 2022, DSAC-LDR
Subcommittee meeting minutes. It was seconded by Mr. McLean. The motion passed
unanimously, 4-0.
c. DSAC Meeting – December 7, 2022
Vice Chairman Foley made a motion to approve the December 7, 2022, meeting minutes. It
was seconded by Mr. Mulhere. The motion passed unanimously, 12-0.
4. Selection of Committee Chair and Vice Chair
Mr. Mulhere made a motion to re-elect Chairman Varian as chairman. It was seconded by
Mr. Curl. The motion passed unanimously, 11-0; Chairman Varian abstained.
Mr. Mulhere made a motion to re-elect Vice Chairman Foley as vice chairman. It was
seconded by Mr. Curl. The motion passed unanimously, 11-0; Vice Chairman Foley
abstained.
5. Public Speakers
(None)
6. Staff Announcements/Updates
a. Development Review Division – [Jaime Cook, Director
Ms. Cook reported that:
x We hired a stormwater reviewer who will be starting on February 13. Anyone
submitting stormwater plans, please feel free to reach out at any time and she’ll set up a
time for you to meet with him.
x We did not record any plats last month.
x Toward the end of the year, there was a push to get people COs and get buildings open.
Life-safety issues must be addressed before we can issue any kind of site acceptance or
TCO. If you’re going through punch lists and you’re wondering what’s needed, reach
February 1, 2023
Page 3 of 18
out and ask us. We’ll be happy to narrow down what we absolutely need done prior to
approval.
Vice Chairman Foley asked for the name of the new employee.
Ms. Cook said it was Jocelyn “Joss” Nageon de Lestang, who used to work for the South
Florida Water Management District.
b. Code Enforcement Division – [Jeff Letourneau, Supervisor]
Mr. Letourneau submitted monthly statistics from December 22, 2022, to January 21,
2023, and reported that:
x We just had a meeting this morning. We discussed ramping up the cleanups we used to
do. We have four districts in code enforcement and before COVID and Hurricane Ian
hit we conducted four cleanups a year in each district. That went by the wayside due to
those situations. In April, we’re going to start those up again, as well as some more
community outreach.
x We hired three new full-time code enforcement employees. Hopefully, they will
accept the positions and will train for the next couple of months and be out in the
streets within two months.
x We’d like them to help us get our proactive numbers up for the county’s blight
situations.
x We hired a KeyStaff temp employee as an investigator.
Chairman Varian asked if they were seeing a lot of unpermitted work.
Mr. Letourneau said yes, mostly from Contractor Licensing. If it’s a homeowner or an
unlicensed contractor, it gets turned over to us. We’ve seen quite a few since Hurricane Ian.
[Ms. Spurgeon-DeJohn joined the meeting at 3:06 p.m.]
c. Public Utilities Department [Drew Cody, Senior Project Manager, Utilities
Planning]
Mr. Cody reported that:
x The team’s been in place in Utility Planning for about six months now.
x We’re all working toward some bigger initiatives coming up. We’ve just started
looking at the requests we’ve been getting for updates to the Utility Standards Manual
and design criteria, etc. If there are things you’ve been sitting on because they haven’t
been moving, now is the time to start emailing them back to Utility Planning.
x The goal is to start a six-month review cycle, so they’re updated more frequently and
we’re not extending one-year product approval letters. If you’ve been holding back
requests, please get them into Utility Planning.
d. GMD Transportation Engineering Division – [Lorraine Lantz, Planner III]
Ms. Lantz reported that:
x We were out in the field today. The Planning Commission asked us to do an
evaluation of traffic on Oilwell Road with the schools, Palmetto Ridge and Corkscrew
Elementary and Middle. Staff and our consultant met with Collier County public
school principals and the district transportation group to come up with suggestions and
modifications for school property and some different traffic turn-lane suggestions or
modifications.
February 1, 2023
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x FDOT is working on an I-75 South connector project. It’s a study of all I-75
interchanges from Collier Boulevard all the way up through Lee County. They’re
having a public meeting on February 16 at North Collier Regional Park’s exhibit hall,
where they will speak about it and show some of their recommendations, including
additional high-volume, high-capacity lanes, not toll lanes. There are two additional
lanes, I-75 northbound and southbound.
Mr. Mulhere asked what the timing is for the MPO to revisit the ranking of roadway
projects. He read a story in the newspaper about the governor funding $7 billion for
transportation projects, $4 billion, which is excess revenue that they have, and $3 billion
they’re probably going to borrow, so there might be some opportunities for Collier
County to advance some roadway projects.
Ms. Lantz said she believes Pine Ridge Road; the diverging diamond interchange is one of
the studies that we recommended. That’s one of the projects that’s targeted. There were three
projects in this area and that’s one.
Mr. Mulhere asked what’s in ranking for the next Five-Year Plan, 2026 through 2030.
Ms. Lantz said the MPO does its long-range plan every five years on the zeros and the fives.
The next one has to be updated by December 2025. They’re starting that process now. they
already did the RFP and there’s going to be a selection committee and they’ll hire their
consultant.
[Mr. Gentry joined the meeting at 3:06 p.m.]
Mr. Mulhere said there’s a lot of activity on the East Trail, east of Collier Boulevard. That
roadway has design in 2026 and whatever is next, and construction is in seven years.
Ms. Lantz said it’s usually preliminary design and then right-of-way acquisition.
Mr. Mulhere said that’s a problem. That’s from Greenway to Tomato Road to Six Ls?
Ms. Lantz said it’s on an outer year. We are seeing a lot of development coming in right in
that corridor and we’re coordinating with FDOT to make sure they’re aware of the
development we’re seeing that’s coming in. We’re seeing it as a Level of Service F and
they’re seeing it as a Level of Service B, so we’re coordinating on that.
Mr. Mulhere said he guessed he’d have to get work in and lobby to expedite it.
Mr. McLean asked who they could go to for smaller projects that drag out for six months,
block access to business, and hurt business.
Ms. Lantz said that typically, Traffic Operations does more of the small-scale work. They
might design something in-house, such as a turn lane. They’d probably use a sub-consultant
on that, but some of the work is done in-house. Jay Ahmad comes to you every other month,
so that would be Jay’s group, with Tony Khawaja.
e. Collier County Fire Review
None
f. North Collier Fire Review [Daniel Zunzunegui, Deputy Director]
Mr. Zunzunegui provided a January report:
x We had about a three-day turnaround time for building and planning reviews.
February 1, 2023
Page 5 of 18
x We conducted 486 reviews, 444 were building and 42 were planning.
x We continue to provide communication and availability to the industry, which is
helping them get through with any corrections on their plans and get plans completed
and to issuance.
x We have a new team member, Dan Turner. He comes with 35 years of experience in
Illinois. His last position was as deputy chief of operations with New Lenox Fire
(Protection) District. We’re really excited to have him. He’s got a lot of experience to
add to our team.
x We’re conducting interviews next week for another position on our team. Jackie
Delarosa is retiring from the district on February 9, and we also lost another member
we farmed out to the county, so we’re filling those vacancies.
x There’s pending legislation similar to the fire-alarm legislation that was approved for
fire-alarm system projects. This is for sprinklers and would be 20 components to a
sprinkler system on an existing building. Aside from sprinkler heads, it also could be a
backflow, a hydrant, PIV, or something of that nature. If it’s an existing building and an
existing system and it’s 20 components or less, it would come through similar to those
fire-alarm projects, like a fast-track self-issued permit, so there would be no formal plan
review. There’s a House bill and a companion Senate bill tied to that for an amendment
to Florida Statute 553.79.53. Our team is monitoring that to see if it gets approved.
Mr. Boughton asked what the limit is for Zoning Review for a fire-alarm system.
Mr. Zunzunegui said that for fire alarm system projects, it must be an existing system and
building. If it’s a monitoring permit, it qualifies for 20 devices or notification appliances or
less, such as horn strobes. As long as it meets those thresholds. The Growth Management
team updated the portal for those permits, and you can apply for a fire-alarm system project
and answer all the questions correctly. It’s self-issued. It’s like having an onsite inspection
and plan review at once, all in one.
g. Operations & Regulatory Management Division – [Ken Kovensky, Director]
Mr. Kovensky reported that:
x The monthly numbers for December and January were lighter than in the past. Last
month was 4,100 permits. December was about 3,700.
x For the last six months we worked on 24,428 permits compared with 30,271 permits,
so we did drop from six months to the prior six months. The total for the last 12
months is 54,699, so that’s still pretty healthy when we’re above 50,000 permits.
x We’re keeping up with the volume of permits and are working on yesterday’s permits.
x We had expanded hours in the Orange Blossom and Everglades satellite offices and
have gone back to regular hours. We’re manning Orange Blossom Tuesdays and
Thursdays and in Everglades City, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The Marco
Island Airport satellite office hours were reduced to Monday, Wednesday, Friday from
8 a.m. to noon. We’re planning on shutting that office down at the end of the month. In
December, we had 16 walk-ins for the month and only nine in January. Fortunately,
we can do electronic permitting remotely so people working there are doing that.
x It’s good to know that we can stand up an office quickly, so if we have another event
in the future, we can get one up quickly.
February 1, 2023
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x We filled one of our operations-support specialist positions from another department
and she’ll be starting in about 30 days. She replaces Jessica Bonilla, who moved over
to the cashiering section as the revenue supervisor.
x We have a few positions that are still vacant. A code enforcement investigator position
in Contractor Licensing is still being posted. There’s one position in Management
Analyst 1 position that was vacated by someone who moved to the CityView team.
We have two GIS technicians we want to reclassify to higher-level GIS positions
because we have not received any applications for that lower-paying job. We can
justify some of the more technical aspects of the positions that we need and hopefully,
we’ll get that through HR.
x I’ve accepted a new position with the county’s Corporate Business Office and will be
working for the County Manager as an executive director overseeing four divisions,
HR, IT, Risk Management, and Procurement. This will be the last time I appear before
you in my Growth Management position, but I may come before you in my new
position. I move to my new position in 1½ weeks but will be working in both places
until we get up to speed.
x Trish Mill and she has accepted a job to move over with me on the same time frame
and we’ll both be here to ensure smooth operations continue until we get up to speed
on both areas.
Mr. Curl congratulated them both. He just visited the Heritage Bay Government Services
Center, which he called an outstanding complex, noting that the county did a great job with
the full-service aspect. It’s nice that people don’t have to drive so far now to get a driver’s
license.
Mr. Mitchell said we didn’t see a lot of building permits and we had an event. Are most in
the city with Hurricane Ian? What is the mechanism for someone if they see work going on.
Unless someone calls Code Enforcement, it’s a non-event. If they sell the home, what is the
trigger for the new home buyer? He wants to know in case someone asks. There must be a lot
of unpermitted work going on.
Mr. Kovensky said there’s a search on whether things have been permitted. In some cases, it
may not go noticed, but generally, we respond to neighbor complaints or contractor
complaints to enforce what may be unpermitted work.
Mr. Mitchell asked if its buyer beware. If someone buys a house and there was unpermitted
work and they want to do some permitted work, are they on the hook for the other work?
Mr. McLean asked if these permit numbers include emergency permits.
Mr. Kovensky said they do.
Mr. French provided the answer to the question and reported that:
x Every flood insurance policy in the United States that is federally backed is backed by
NFIP for the first $250,000.
x NFIP is a division of FEMA, which pays the claims, so FEMA knows you had a claim.
FEMA comes in and they audit us to see if a permit was pulled. Based on FEMA
standards, the first 18 inches is considered maintenance. Chief Building Official Fred
Klum made the call, so we’re following the NFIP or the damage assessment module,
which says it’s considered maintenance and our board has adopted that for a single-
family home.
February 1, 2023
Page 7 of 18
x Anything above 18 inches is not maintenance and would require a permit. If you’re
just putting things back to what you had before Hurricane Ian to put it back to livable
conditions if you keep that under 50% of the improved value, you can make the repair
and the permit closes out.
x In the future, if you want to move forward to repair or to make modifications to that,
that’s on you. You can do 50% of that value, the improved value at the time. The 50%
Rule is always in place.
x We don’t track this, but we know. There were probably 200 or more homes on the Isle
of Capri, for example, that took in between four and five feet of water inside the
structure. We also know that there have only been about 100 permits pulled for the Isle
of Capri for residential structures. Because the state of Florida has the most guarded
private property rights and we don’t have X-ray vision, we don’t know what’s going
on unless your neighbor calls it in.
x The way the code enforcement law is written is that unless we have a complaint, or
unless it is life-safety, we can’t enforce what we don’t know. They will rebuild. This
isn’t just Golden Gate and Immokalee. These are high-end, high-dollar homes where
we are seeing activity. We’re getting contractor licensing complaints against
contractors and the homeowner knew that they weren’t going to pull a permit and all
of a sudden, they withdrew the complaint against the contractor because they never
really wanted to abide by the 50% Rule.
x How FEMA addresses that is the same way they addressed it in Everglade City.
There’s a handful of homes that we’re aware of that were impacted during Hurricane
Irma that also were impacted during Hurricane Ian.
x All along our coastal fringe, most of those low-lying homes built on grade in the 1970s
and ‘80s took on water, such as Estey Avenue. The permit activity is low, so if they
filed a claim, they took FEMA dollars and they didn’t repair up to code, when the next
storm comes along, they’ll get zero. They will get no assistance.
x It doesn’t impact our insurance rate because we’re not forced to go out and start
busting people. But if we have a permit come forward, we apply the most generous
benefit that we can toward them because it’s the floodplain administrator that makes
the determination on what the valuations of the properties are. And we’re using a 30%
numerator against the improved values because of our market condition. Even on
mobile homes, we’re doing the same thing. Even though we have all these tools to
benefit the community, there are still many property owners out there who will not
pull a permit and will hire unlicensed contractors or a licensed contractor who is
willing to put their license in jeopardy to do this work. We don’t see it that often
because they don’t often call in or withdraw a complaint against a contractor knowing
that they got a heck of a deal versus tearing the house down or elevating.
x On the real estate side, he doesn’t know what the impact will be. But there will be a lot
of banks asking a lot of questions and even insurers that will come back before they
underwrite a property insurance policy because they know this area was impacted.
x Everything is in recovery. What they’re trying to do is find safe and affordable
housing. Vacation rentals have put upward pressure on anything affordable, which is
almost a thing of the past. We’re going to have more of that, especially with mobile
home parks because we know some mobile home parks took up to eight feet of water
on the interiors and we’re not seeing permits.
February 1, 2023
Page 8 of 18
x We’ve already been in talks with one property owner. The county may only find out if
the landowner says he has a problem because his lease documents require them to pull
permits.
x Some of these mobile home parks are full of senior citizens who pay, $50,000-$70,000
for these mobile homes. They can’t get a permit and they can’t afford to elevate it and
it wouldn’t survive an elevation due to wind load. They’re going to rebuild them, and
then they’re going to find themselves spending a lot of money, and eventually, the
park owners are going to be forced to make them tear them down.
x We think there’s a typhoon coming and we’re just trying to not force the issue. But
unless we have a complaint or we see it, we can’t enforce it.
Mr. Valle said from the real estate side, what NABOR has been advocating to Realtors is to
come in and do permit searches. The Code Enforcement office will attest to the number of
permit searches that they do on a regular basis and people are going to go into a home now
after these events to look for permits of remediation, just like they would have out in Golden
Gate estates for garages that were converted and other elements, because they know they’re
going to buy that.
Chairman Varian thanked Ken for his work over 17 years.
Mr. Mulhere congratulated him on his new position.
Mr. Kovensky said it was a pleasure working with them.
h. Zoning Division – [Mike Bosi, Director]
Mr. Bosi reported that:
x We have three vacancies and have interviewed some promising candidates and other
interviews coming up. The job market may be loosening up and we’re seeing people
from outside the county applying again which is encouraging. We’re looking for two
Planner 3 positions and a Planner 2. We’ve got good candidates, so we hope to get
almost fully staffed.
x The BCC in January approved a controversial condo proposal in the Isles of Capri.
The opposition was upset that they came in and the board made decisions related to
height and intensity, but the Planning Commission said those were the two issues and
the applicants gave them enough public benefit and the board approved it.
x The BCC also voted to go for two year-round meetings, meaning that no longer will
they have that break in mid-July, with no meeting in August. They’re going to have
meetings year-round. The only time they’ll have a partial schedule will be in
November and December. We’ll still maintain one meeting a month. On January 24th,
we had a lot of petitions on the summary agenda, and most of them sailed through
well. They did find a resolution to medical marijuana dispensaries. Based upon
DSAC’s and the Planning Commission’s recommendations, they directed the County
Attorney to bring back an ordinance to prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries within
the county. For a long time, they didn’t have enough votes to prohibit them or make
them legal. Where pharmacies are, they closed that gap.
x In February, March, and April, the BCC will hear about 10 petitions. The early part of
the year is usually light for Land-Use Petitions, and it gets heavier during the summer.
x The BCC has some controversial petitions in Orange Blossom Ranch by the Orange
Blossom library by The Carlisle Naples and the Italian-American Club. We have a 10-
February 1, 2023
Page 9 of 18
acre parcel that’s seeking pretty high density that people are upset about. But in terms
of consistency, it’s not out of scale with some of the intensities within the surrounding
areas.
Mr. Curl asked if he was pressuring DSAC to meet in July.
Mr. Bosi said the BCC is full-time. He thought the DSAC would want at least one month for
a summer break.
Mr. French reported that:
x We have lost many KeyStaff temps, which wasn’t in his plans when he negotiated to
return to Growth Management.
x He was the one who told the County Manager to hire Ken, who has successfully
fulfilled every role that he vacated. When I tried to vacate, they pulled me back. He
will make sure Ken won’t be pulled back here unless he wants to return.
x We’re running an average of 12-15% vacancies and it’s impacting your markets.
x He’s made it clear that any additional funding that we bring forward, he wants them to
justify their existence in front of this group. If they’re going to charge us an additional
$120,000 a year for a higher level of service, sell it to you. He’s been fighting and
asked for DSAC’s help in the past, but if we pay additional dollars to Facilities or
Human Resources and others, more than the BCC-approved County Manager’s
allocation to heighten services, we need to have awareness and there should be
measurements. What gets measured gets done.
x That is money coming out of your clients’ pockets and they need to be aware of that.
x He volunteered to help with housing policy because we saw a lot of policy come out of
housing with no real good idea on how it would coincide or conflict with our current
Land-Development Code. Rather than having housing in the health building, it makes
sense to be here in the Land-Use Policy, long-range resiliency housing side to ensure
our codes coincide.
x He inherited the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, which is passionate about
what they do. They’ve changed over the years, and we applaud their passion but must
make sure that when they’re looking at lands, they understand the provisions and
hurdles, including environmental issues.
x Voters approved a $20 million trust fund for affordable housing and that was (in
2018). No policy has been written and now our housing director left because his life
changed. Cormac Giblin, who doesn’t want the job, agreed to take it on an interim
basis to push that policy along.
x We’ve always heard that developers were bad, so why not put an AHAC member on
the DSAC and maybe have someone from the DSAC on the AHAC? He’s asking the
DSAC to consider this because they need to understand the parameters if the county
will be purchasing property. Perhaps we shouldn’t be looking in the coastal fringe
because housing-disadvantaged residents are probably going to be transportation-
disadvantaged and that won’t help during an evacuation. He won’t be able to get that
approved.
x Mike Bosi coming back has been great because we pre-negotiated costs of land that
can be dedicated toward affordable housing. But we don’t have facilities or
infrastructure. The $20 million set aside by taxpayers should be used for
redevelopment, for buying land. The county is not looking to get into the affordable
February 1, 2023
Page 10 of 18
housing market, other than purchasing land, so we’re working on that policy within the
AHAC subcommittee. We’re trying to help them understand land-use policy. Steve
Hruby, an architect who has made a living in affordable housing, is good at
understanding the LDC, so we’re grateful for his leadership. He knows enough of the
code to understand what we discuss.
x Commissioner Hall is heavily involved. The GMP amendments we talked about
include converting, by right, commercial to residential to allow for density, especially
within Activity Centers. Those types of things that were shelved are what
Commissioner Hall wants to revisit, so we’re going to be back in front of the DSAC.
x We need to find a way for these committees to work together. We have a member of
the Planning Commission on the AHAC, Paul Shea, but he’s very new to our
community and as an engineer, he’s never designed anything in Florida.
x We’re working toward a solution so we can get the developers and the affordable
housing groups to be able to talk. If an affordable-housing investor can’t pencil out the
numbers, they’re not going to invest in it. If we’re talking less than 16 units per acre, if
we’re talking about areas where we know we’ve got environmental or floodplain
concerns, it’s probably not going to be their first investment.
x The reason there are lands still in Evacuation Zone A is because developers can’t
pencil out the numbers even at today’s market. So, somebody may want to sell it, but
if they were even considering selling, it would have been developed years ago.
Mr. Mulhere suggested they look at the LDC or Code of Laws. Enabling code language for
the DSAC identifies what areas of expertise people should have to fill advisory board
positions and the number of members. Nick tried at least three or four times and now he’s no
longer with Habitat. Or we could allow participation on an ad hoc basis, rather than make
changes.
Mr. French said he’s just asking them to consider it for the future. The DSAC is probably
the best advisory committee in the county, and he commends them. We’re going to advance
affordable housing because it’s the right thing to do. In addition to volunteering to help the
AHAC, he volunteered Mike Bosi and Jaime Cook.
Mr. Mulhere said he continues to serve on the DSAC because it does a great job and
appreciates staff’s willingness to allow us to make constructive comments and criticisms.
When he was on county staff, he didn’t have the ability to understand the nuances that a
practitioner has, such as Blair, Mario, or Chris. We all have different areas of expertise, but
we know that when Utilities comes in to change the standards, fortunately, they now do it
with DSAC’s input. Or if Eric Johnson is working on an LDC amendment, he’s willing to
take our input. He doesn’t have to agree with it, but he generally does if it makes sense. That
ultimately makes for much better regulation in the long run.
Mr. French provided an update:
x We finished the interviews for our Code Enforcement director after Mike Ossorio gave
notice that he’s retiring in April. He wants to stay a few extra months, but he may be
utilized elsewhere in the county to help the County Manager’s office.
February 1, 2023
Page 11 of 18
x If there’s a tie during interviews, we’ll break it through the County Manager’s office.
He expects a new Code Enforcement director in 30 to 45 days. Mike has done a great
job and he’s probably one of the best code enforcement directors we’ve ever had.
x Under Ken Kovensky’s leadership, we’ll see good positive change. The county needs
to understand their client. He’ll do a great job telling them what an employee really
thinks. The further away you get from a client, the more you forget about what our
mission is.
x We need to fill Chris Mason’s former position since he took the job as director of
Community Planning & Resiliency. His new job came with no staff, so he’s working
on that with the County Manager’s Office.
x NABOR needs to be in on the affordable housing conversations.
x We need to realize that, according to Rob Stoneburner’s office, 12,000 to 14,000
homes went to vacation rentals, so that took away a lot of housing stock from rental or
low-income or workforce housing solutions. As a result, we created a rule to require
rental owners to register with the county. Only about 100 registered. When an area like
Naples Manor is selling homes for $300,000-$500,000, we’ve now taken the
affordable housing conversation out of that area. So where do we go next? These are
your employees and coworkers.
7. New Business
a. PL20200002400 – Collier Boulevard Interstate 75 Innovation Zone Overlay
[CBIIZO]
Mr. Johnson outlined the amendment, reporting that:
x This Land Development Code amendment would establish the Collier Boulevard
Interstate-75 Innovation Zone, the CBIIZO, which will serve to implement the
economic development goals of the Interchange Activity Center No. 9 Innovation
Zone that was adopted in 2018.
x There are three Innovation Zones throughout the county. The CBIIZO has one and the
other two are in Ave Maria and Golden Gate City.
x The Innovation Zone has Tax-Increment Financing provisions in the Trust Fund.
Developers and property owners can avail themselves of the opportunity to take
advantage of making infrastructure improvements or trying to expand targeted
industries, impact fee payments, and billing permit fee payments.
x The CBIIZO will be consistent with the new Collier Boulevard Interstate-75
Innovation Zone Overlay that will be in the Growth Management Plan and will
complement the existing Interchange Activity Center No. 9 in the GMP.
x We’re looking to change or modify at least four different LDC sections of the code.
The existing Zoning Overlay that’s in 20307, called the Activity Center No. 9 Zoning
District, will be eliminated in its entirety. This was reviewed by the DSAC-LDC
subcommittee in January and the subcommittee recommended approval based on six
conditions. Staff implemented four. We didn’t implement all six because Zoning
Manager Ray Bellows opined that “maximum building coverage” means buildings
only and doesn’t include off-street parking areas, etc. The subcommittee discussed
what that includes.
x We respectfully request to move forward without creating a definition for “maximum
building coverage.”
February 1, 2023
Page 12 of 18
Mr. Mulhere said they didn’t understand why staff wouldn’t add a definition if there isn’t
one. Is it already defined? He wanted to make sure the definition coincides with the intent.
You’re telling me it isn’t defined.
Mr. Johnson said it is not defined.
Mr. Mulhere said that leaves it up to interpretation and someone will create their own
interpretation.
Mr. Johnson said the other one we didn’t move forward with was the desire to see language
about the two floors of under-building parking, which would not count toward building
height. We already have that provision in the code, so that’s why we didn’t move forward
with that.
A discussion ensued and the following points were made:
x You do have it in code, but there are some significant requirements associated with
that not counting toward building height. It says 300 square feet of additional open
space beyond that which is otherwise required by the LDC shall be provided.
x The waiver of the height requirements is compatible to use on adjacent property.
For each off-street parking space permitted within the principal structure for which
the maximum height waiver is granted, 300 square feet beyond that shall be
required.
x Mr. Johnson said this will be a zoning overlay.
x You’re penalizing developers; others agreed.
x This has been in the code since the 1980s and it’s probably only been used a half-
dozen times so there’s a reason.
x Staff seemed like they were responsible and were listening and then took only four
of six DSAC recommendations.
x DSAC talked about how it should be more compact, and people should be allowed
to go vertical without getting penalized.
x What’s most important is to balance the intent of the regulation with the incentives
you’re trying to create. The requirement for 300 square feet of additional open
space in this fairly intense Activity Center is a disincentive rather than an incentive
to put parking under a building. You’d be providing more open space by putting
surface parking under a building.
x Mr. Johnson said if they want to omit No. 4, they can do that; DSAC members
agreed that makes sense.
x About 20 years ago, the EDC created the same thing and called it an economic
development zone, which allowed developers to use incremental tax revenues for
innovation.
x There could be some opportunities for this in the future, particularly out east, a new
town that might want a business park, research, and technology, or industrial park.
If you’re big enough, you can create significant tax revenue to build infrastructure.
Look how long City Gate took to develop. This tax increment creates an
opportunity for a group of investors or a landowner to put money into the
infrastructure and wait for some time to attract a sufficient number of users to fill a
February 1, 2023
Page 13 of 18
200-acre business park. The incentive would be good without the extra 300 square
feet.
Mr. Johnson told the DSAC:
x Most of the properties in this overlay are currently zoned PUD.
x We have a provision that would allow the PUD to take advantage of the regulations.
They won’t be required to do it. It’s on an elective basis and they could disregard it.
x It’s his intention to require that if the underlying zoning district doesn’t have one of
the uses listed in the table, the Economic Development Uses, they’re going to be
obligated to comply with LDC Section 40223 E and F, which starts on page 70 in
the agenda packet. E is related to pollution control and F is additional design
standards for Economic Development Uses in the CBIIZO.
x If a property owner doesn’t currently have these entitlements, if they want to take
advantage of the entitlements (TIF), they’ll be required to design their site with
Sections E and F in mind.
Mr. Mulhere said the DSAC-LDR didn’t have an issue with that but pointed out that in the
CRA you can develop with uses allowed in the underlying zoning or CRA, whichever is
more liberal/more relaxed. Either way, you’re required to develop under CRA design
standards, which are more favorable. The same thing is true here.
Mr. Johnson said if you’re going to have an industrial use, it’s important to comply with
Sections E and F. He hopes to bring these amendments to the Planning Commission for an
evening meeting in March, so he’s asking for a recommendation.
Mr. Mitchell said he strongly agrees with Jeff and Bob on the building. He can see an
instance where there’s covered parking at a technical center, which may be an incentive for a
developer to bring in an executive level on an innovation tech center. If there’s ambiguity
and the roof of the covered parking is not attached/included, you need a definition.
Mr. Mulhere said it wouldn’t be hard to make a definition. He can make a motion.
Ms. Spurgeon-DeJohn said there’s a definition of lot coverage in the code that says, “area
of principle and accessory buildings divided by the area of the lot.”
Mr. Mulhere said that was raised by the subcommittee.
Ms. Spurgeon-DeJohn said she’s confused about what the issue is.
Mr. Mulhere said the subcommittee wanted to know if the intent was the same and asked
staff to tell them.
A discussion ensued and the following points were made:
x If you’re saying a percentage, it’s the same formula, lot coverage.
x The square footage will be dictated by the amount of parking you can provide.
x The county is trying to incentivize it by allowing parking under a building, but this
disincentivizes it if you have to give back 300 square feet more in green space. This
would allow developers to build slightly larger buildings in an Activity Center.
x Can you change “building coverage” to “lot coverage”?
x If you have 100% of a building over parking, then it’s 100% shaded.
x Staff was happy with the definition of “lot coverage” and can change it from
“maximum building coverage” to “maximum lot coverage.”
February 1, 2023
Page 14 of 18
x A maximum of two underground parking levels should be allowed that won’t count
against building height.
x Allow the incentive of getting extra height, but don’t punish developers by taking
away the extra parking. This will allow developers to build slightly bigger buildings in
an Innovation Center.
x In the chart, the proposed language should be switched from “maximum building
coverage” to “maximum lot coverage.”
x The levels under the building are counted as building height, not floors.
x The county measures height from the established FEMA/DEP flood elevation. Actual
height is from the center line of the adjacent road. We’re talking about zoned height.
x Under FEMA, you might be able to fit one parking floor but we’re saying you can do
two floors of parking and it won’t count against your zoned height.
Mr. Mulhere made a motion to recommend approval of the Collier Boulevard Interstate 75
Innovation Zone Overlay [CBIIZO], with the following changes: page 9, line 46, revise it to say, it
“shall follow the LDC width requirements for a Type-D buffer”; on p. 10, make sure there is a
definition for “maximum-building coverage” to ensure the intent is clear in terms of limiting
living coverage; make the following changes clearer with a footnote or a table – allow an increase
in building height to allow for up to two under-building floors of parking not subject to the 50-
foot building height to incentivize underground parking, increase the building height for
buildings or lots abutting residential tracts or districts from 35 to 40 feet and add that the term
“residential tracts” or “residential districts” does not apply to mixed-use buildings or tracts; use
30% of the sum of the heights of the buildings, but not less than the separation required by the
Florida Building Code; page 7, line 1 should end with a comma followed by “unless already
permitted within an existing PUD”; allow for the incentive of up to two floors of parking under a
building that won’t count toward the building height, without a requirement to replace 300 square
feet per parking space; and use the existing definition of lot coverage rather than building
coverage. Second by Mr. Curl. The motion passed unanimously, 14-0.
b. PL20220008172 – Neighborhood Information Meeting (NIM) Rules of Decorum
Mr. Johnson told the DSAC:
x The subcommittee reviewed this and had three recommendations/conditions. Staff
implemented two.
x This LDC amendment would introduce the Rules of Decorum for Neighborhood Information
Meetings. We’re introducing a Land Development Code amendment and a companion
Administrative Code amendment.
x The subcommittee recommended approval of the LDC amendments. Of the three conditions,
the one staff didn’t do anything with is No. 3 – “The BCC should consider some type of
punitive action to those who disrupt the NIM and cause it to cancel.”
A discussion ensued and the following points were made:
x Staff is probably not in a position to recommend that the BCC take punitive action.
x DSAC discussed excluding disruptive people from the process, and everything moving
forward.
February 1, 2023
Page 15 of 18
x The County Attorney probably can’t support taking away someone’s right to speak in public
but Clay is an attorney and he wanted that in the motion because behavior has gotten out of
control.
x There was a NIM with metal detectors and people were armed. There also were NIMS where
people were extremely unruly and at another, a deputy escorted a disruptive person out of the
meeting.
x We recommended an improvement to the process because it seems unfair to the applicant. If
we let this behavior go without a clear process then people may resort to disrupting the
process to prolong it, costing more money, and causing delays. That’s the intent in some
situations.
x People were threatened. Physical threats don’t fall under free speech.
x If a developer feels it could be a divisive meeting, it’s the applicant’s responsibility to hire a
security detail or deputies.
x The presence of deputies often keeps a NIM calm.
Mr. Johnson noted that the amendment change also will allow an applicant to hold a second NIM
virtually and they could then mute rowdy people.
A discussion ensued and the following points were made:
x Why does an applicant have to hold a second meeting at their expense because someone is
disruptive? That’s punitive.
x If you’re unable to hold a NIM because people are shouting, that’s not the applicant’s fault.
x Mr. Mulhere always holds an in-person and virtual NIM so if it’s disrupted, the virtual
meeting can continue. He holds a simultaneous virtual NIM as a courtesy.
x Why can’t NIMs all be virtual, especially if you know it’s going to be contentious? Other
counties do that. It should be a viable primary option. You can mute the rowdy people.
x The county does all its pre-apps online.
x Virtual is a better option with large crowds. It’s hard to predict space needs.
Mr. Johnson read the other two recommendations:
x Provide the public with notice of an impending Land-Use Petition and foster communication
and collaboration between the petitioner and the public. We deleted the words “and
collaboration.”
x The applicant is required to record the NIM proceedings and to provide an audio or an
audio/video copy. We added the word “audio” next to “video.” These were minor changes
recommended by the DSAC-LDR.
A discussion ensued and the following points were made:
x It doesn’t say you have to hold an in-person meeting.
x There have been several NIMS held online.
x With a virtual NIM, residents can’t complain that it was held while they were up north, not
during season.
x A very small number of NIMs are disrupted. If someone causes the first to be canceled, we
can hold a second NIM virtually.
x If it continues to be a problem, we can look at this again.
x Can you elect to do it virtually only?
February 1, 2023
Page 16 of 18
x It doesn’t say virtual or in-person. It says Collier County staff planner, or a designee shall
attend the NIM.
x Disruptions only occurred a few times and this allows an alternative.
x Many are under the impression a NIM must be in-person. It would result in less criticism if
you held an in-person NIM.
x The Administrative Code mentions that residents should get the required notice, and the
facility must be of a sufficient size to accommodate the expected attendance. That implies in-
person. Clarify in the language that it can be virtually or in-person or say virtual is an option.
Mr. Johnson read what the LDC says about a NIM:
x The purpose and intent of a NIM is to provide the public with notice of an impending Land-
Use Petition and to foster communication between the petitioner and the public.
x The expectation is that all NIM attendees will conduct themselves in such a manner that their
presence will not interfere with the orderly progress of the meeting.
x The petitioner is encouraged to provide a security detail, which will be at the petitioner’s
expense to ensure the safety of all attendees.
x The petitioner may request the security detail to remove a disorderly person.
x If the petitioner is unable to complete the NIM due to the disorderly conduct of the attendees,
the NIM shall adjourn, and the petitioner will be required to conduct another duly advertised
NIM as further described in Chapter 8 of the Administrative Code.
A discussion ensued and the following points were made:
x How hard would it be to just make a recommendation to allow it to be virtual?
x The wore “ensure” should be removed in this sentence: “The petitioner is encouraged to
provide a security detail, which will be at the petitioner’s expense to ensure the safety of all
attendees.” Why should applicants be responsible for ensuring their safety? That leaves us
liable if they sue. It should read: The petitioner is encouraged to provide a security detail,
which will be at the petitioner’s expense. Strike out “to ensure the safety of all attendees.”
x If you choose to hold the NIM electronically, there is no cost for a security detail.
x In a highly populated area, there’s a cost for sending notifications by certified mail. Virtual
should be allowed.
Mr. French told the DSAC:
x Saying it can be virtual implies that everyone has Internet, you’re not in an underserved
community and you have a great WiFi signal.
x A great WiFi signal isn’t the case countywide. If you’re in the Eastern Lands, they may not
have WiFi, or you’re forcing a resident who wants to participate to subscribe to Comcast and
that’s something they might not be able to afford.
Mr. English disputed that, noting that he held a NIM in the Rural Lands and no one attended.
Everyone watched it virtually.
Chairman Varian asked if the county would allow a virtual-only meeting.
Mr. French said there are applications throughout the code that talk about venues, that it must be
available to accommodate your audience, so it’s already a pattern of practice we’ve followed for
February 1, 2023
Page 17 of 18
years. In the past, the BCC was not 100% in support of going 100% online. We can go back to the
BCC and ask that question. Many people don’t have online capabilities.
A discussion ensued and the following points were made:
x The BCC made that decision after a rowdy meeting.
x The decision came during COVID.
x Mr. Mulhere holds virtual and in-person meetings simultaneously and provides Zoom as a
courtesy. That’s written in the ad about the meeting in case there’s a technical malfunction,
which could be caused on the viewer’s end.
Mr. Boughton asked if the county could set up a remote location for people who can’t attend
virtually.
Mr. French said they probably could provide a video in another location.
[A discussion ensued about sending it back to the subcommittee, but Mr. Johnson urged them to
finish.]
Margaret Emblidge, director of planning for ABB (Agnoli, Barber & Brundage), said they held a
NIM, and no one showed up, except for county staff and one person on Zoom. She understands the
applicant has costs to pay. But the other cost that occurs is that county staff spends time coming to a
meeting. All the efforts we went through for the NIM, and no one showed up. That upset her.
Mr. Mulhere made a motion to approve the changes subject to the removal of the phrase
“collaboration of,” removing the word “ensure” and allowing NIMs to be virtual or allowing a
combination of both.
Mr. Curl seconded it.
[A discussion ensued, and Mr. Mulhere and Mr. Curl amended the motion.]
A discussion ensued and the following points were made:
x Is there a definition of “unruly.”
x A recording of a meeting will prove whether there’s a disruption.
x A security detail will know what to do with an unruly person.
x A security detail is reasonable and is a deterrent because some are there to obstruct the
meeting.
x People feel more empowered to act out in large crowds. The crowd mentality makes it worse.
Mr. Mulhere recommended they approve amending the Land Development Code to add “Rules of
Decorum for Neighborhood Information Meetings (NIMS)” and to change the language in the
following ways: Allow a NIM to be held virtually, in-person, or both; Delete the words “and
collaboration” so the sentence reads, “Provide the public with notice of an impending Land-Use
Petition and to foster communication between the petitioner and the public.”; Add the word
“video” so the sentence reads, “The applicant is required to record the NIM proceedings and to
provide an audio or an audio/video copy.”; Strike all words after “expense” to remove the word
“ensure,” so the sentence reads: “The petitioner is encouraged to provide a security detail, which
will be at the petitioner’s expense” and to strike out, “The petitioner may request the security detail
February 1, 2023
Page 18 of 18
to remove a disorderly person.” It was seconded by Mr. Curl. The motion passed unanimously, 14-
0.
8. Old Business
None
9. Committee Member Comments
None
10. Adjourn
Future Meeting Dates:
March 1, 2023, 3 p.m.
April 5, 2023, 3 p.m.
May 3, 2023, 3 p.m.
Mr. Valle made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Vice-Chairman
Foley. The motion passed unanimously, 14-0.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned
by the order of the chairman at 4:43 p.m.
COLLIER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
______________________________________
William Varian, Chairman
These minutes were approved by the Committee/Chairman on ________________, as
presented
(choose one) _______, or as amended ________.
January 17, 2023
1
MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
LAND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
Naples, Florida, January 17, 2023
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Collier County Development Services Advisory
Committee-LDR Subcommittee, in and for the County of Collier, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 3:00 P.M. in REGULAR SESSION at the Collier
County Growth Management Department Building, Conference Room #609/610,
2800 N. Horseshoe Drive, Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
Chairman: Clay Brooker
Robert Mulhere
Mark McLean
Jeff Curl
Blair Foley (excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Eric Johnson, LDC Planning Manager
Zachary Karto, Planner III
January 17, 2023
2
Any persons in need of the verbatim record of the meeting may request a copy of the audio recording
from the Collier County Growth Management Department.
1. Call to Order - Chairman
Chairman Brooker called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.; a quorum of three members was
present; a fourth member joined later.
2. Approval of Agenda
[No changes were made]
Mr. Curl made a motion to approve the agenda, as amended. Second by Mr. McLean. The motion
was carried unanimously, 3-0.
3. Old Business
a. PL20200002400 – Collier Boulevard Interstate 75 Innovation Zone Overlay (CBIIZO)
[Eric Johnson – PowerPoint Presentation]
Mr. Johnson said the CBIIZO was reviewed by this subcommittee in 2020 and it recommended approval.
Since then, there have been some major changes and an overhaul, so it was important to bring it back to the
subcommittee to get a recommendation.
Mr. Johnson reported that at that meeting, they discussed:
x The SIC and NAIC codes and the list of permitted and conditional uses. (The county uses SIC codes, so
NAIC was all converted to SIC.)
x Heavy truck traffic serving the landfill and the foot-candle levels, 0.5-foot candle at property lines that
potentially create a potential for spillover.
x Reducing the width of the shared buffer zones from 10 feet to 5 feet.
x The uses and underlying zoning districts and that they should continue to be allowed.
x For proposed uses, be mindful of not mixing residential next to economic development uses, unless it’s
a mixed-use project.
Mr. Johnson said the amendment is proposed that whatever is allowed in the underlying zoning district, you’re
entitled to and nothing will change from that.
[Mr. Mulhere joined the meeting at 3:05 p.m.]
While Mr. Johnson detailed a PowerPoint, a discussion ensued and he and board members made the
following points:
x This is a companion to the GMP amendment.
x We have tentative approval from the Planning Commission to have a night meeting on March 2 if
the subcommittee approves this today and the full DSAC approves it in February. The BCC
would hear it in spring or summer.
x We’re eliminating the Activity Center No. 9 Zoning District but reinstituting its design standards.
x The CBIIZO has more acreage than the interchange master plan.
x This proposed overlay will have nearly 600 permitted and conditional uses; there are changes
from the 2020 version.
x This requires commission approval for permitted uses having outside storage.
January 17, 2023
3
x The standards contained shall apply to all development in the CBIIZO unless the proposed use is
allowed in the underlying zoning district PUD, as applicable, in which case the development
standards shall be according to the underlying zoning district PUD, as applicable.
x No outside storage and display shall be permitted, except for the parking of commercial vehicles
or when approved as part of a temporary special event, in accordance with LDC Section 50405.
x Part of the intent may be to attract targeted industries that would have significant investment in a
parcel for a nice building and campus; they don’t want to view the lot next door.
x White Lake allows outdoor storage. It may be good to allow a conditional use for outdoor storage
if the development would be a significant benefit to Collier County and part of the operation
requires outdoor storage.
x City Gate is nearly all developed and White Lake has a few parcels left.
x This contains pollution control standards, adds minimum-lot design and building dimension
standards for economic development uses – operational standards, environmental standards and
architectural-site design standards.
x Advanced manufacturing is a goal.
x Are we being too strict or were these standards picked to incentivize?
x This is slightly more relaxed than what’s there now.
x Building coverage is not the number of stories. It’s defined as lot coverage, pervious and
impervious, the first-floor footprint. That’s in the definitions.
x Designing a building with underground parking is more expensive but reduces surface parking. If
it’s for an office use that’s a targeted industry, we want to attract it. We should allow an increase
in height to allow above the FEMA requirement.
x When you’re restricting height, 35 feet is low. Single-family districts in the county usually have a
35-foot building heigh but in a new PUD, 40 feet is better. The architectural design on roofs has
changed and 5 feet makes a big difference.
x The minimum distance of buildings from residential land uses is 50 feet from the setback, but the
farther away it is, the more height should be allowed.
x Under the maximum building height, 35 is low. You need to say zoned and actual. The county
always says zoned height.
x Why not say 40-foot zoned height and a 47-foot actual height?
x You should encourage underground, so allow the 50-foot height to be measured from two floors
of under-building parking.
x There’s language in the LDC that allows for an increase in building height if you reduce the
amount of impervious area by using under-building parking.
x You’re creating opportunity for higher water quality. It’s less surface, less asphalt by reducing
the impervious area. You don’t have as much surface area because you’re not putting as much
surface parking and can allow more height.
x In the conventional zoning districts, we use the term “building coverage.”
x Many newer buildings are going for U.S. Green Council certification. If you have underground parking,
it’s a zero rating. You have zero heat gain because it’s shaded. That should be a target market.
x The taller the building is, the farther it should be from neighboring buildings. The separation
between structures is intended to let air and light flow through a building and to allow grass in
between.
x A 50-foot separation also is required to separate economic development uses from residential.
x At White Lake on the smaller lots, if a developer wanted to buy one of the remaining bigger lots and put
two smaller buildings in, you’re almost restricting them from two buildings. That has unintended
consequences.
January 17, 2023
4
x If the underlying zoning district allows for it, it’s a non-issue, but if the underlying zoning district
doesn’t allow for it, and you’re availing yourself of the opportunity to take advantage of the economic
development uses here, then these standards apply to all properties and replace the applicable standards.
x Page 4, Line 9 talks about established PUDs. “Existing PUDs may elect to utilize the use regulations
and design standards of the overlay.” It’s discretionary, “may elect.”
x The boundaries aren’t going to change, but we’re creating an overlay.
x This provides an incentive, 600 allowable uses versus 50 or 100.
x Staff is in favor of increasing industrial lands.
x This GMPA will create an overlay.
x If you want to participate in TIF funding, you must abide by this.
x Within an Activity Center, for over 20 acres, you must have a 25-foot buffer. If want a 25-foot buffer
adjacent to major roadways, you could give developers a break on the other one so they’re not losing so
much land. We don’t want to make it too expensive to develop.
x Landscape buffers adjacent to all public streets shall follow LDC requirements for Type-D Buffers. You
can do 10 or 15, depending on the width of the right-of-way.
Mr. Johnson said he covered all the substantive questions and comments. The best way to proceed is for
someone to make a motion to recommend approval with the following suggested changes and then we
can make sure everyone’s thoughts and comments are incorporated into a motion.
Mr. Curl made a motion to recommend approval of the CBIIZO, with the following changes: page 9, line 46,
revise it to say, it “shall follow the LDC width requirements for a Type-D buffer”; on p. 10, make sure there
is a definition for “maximum-building covering” to ensure the intent is clear in terms of limiting living
coverage; make the following changes clearer with a footnote or a table – allow an increase in building
height to allow for up to two under-building floors of parking not subject to the 50-foot building height to
incentivize underground parking, increase the building height for buildings or lots abutting residential tracts
or districts from 35 to 40 feet and add that the term “residential tracts” or “residential districts” does not
apply to mixed-use buildings or tracts; use 30% of the sum of the heights of the buildings, but not less than
the separation required by the Florida Building Code; and page 7, line 1 should end with a comma followed
by “unless already permitted within an existing PUD.” Second by Mr. Mulhere. The motion passed
unanimously, 4-0.
4. New Business
a. PL20220008172 – Neighborhood Information Meeting (NIM) Rules of Decorum
Chairman Brooker said the agenda packet includes two emails from the public.
Mr. Curl noted that they were from certified planners.
Mr. Johnson reported that:
x The Board of County Commissioners directed staff to move forward with an Administrative Code
amendment to address issues that occurred at a Neighborhood Information Meeting.
x When staff started working on it with the County Attorney’s Office, we learned that if we’re making
substantive changes to the Administrative Code, that should be reserved for the Land Development
Code. The Administrative Code is more procedural.
x Staff is proposing changes to not only the LDC, but the Administrative Code, for rules of decorum, page
3 of the agenda packet for the LDC and on page 5 for the Administrative Code.
x The purpose and intent of the LDC was not included in the LDC, Administrative Code or the Code of
Laws & Ordinances.
January 17, 2023
5
Mr. Mulhere said the intent was to encourage communication between developments and neighbors.
Mr. Johnson said they idea is to foster communication and collaboration.
A discussion ensued and the following points were made:
x Dialog is a better word that communication.
x Property owners who are against a project won’t collaborate.
x It’s an open dialog so neighbors can understand the developer’s intent.
x If the public hears that you agree to consider it, they hold you to that.
x If we’re required to hold a second meeting due to a disruption, a virtual meeting should be
allowed as the final NIIM.
x It’s up to the developer to decide whether it’s virtual or live.
x There have been a high number of disruptive NIMs.
x The language only covers if the first NIM was canceled due to a disruption.
x The rules should be posted for the public, and if they’re violated, the disruptor should not be
allowed back to that NIM.
x We’ve heard about pistols being at NIMs.
x If a NIM is canceled due to a disruption, it hurts the people who were not disruptive.
x A virtual NIM allows the applicant to mute disruptors.
x There should be a penalty against those who disrupt NIMs.
x You could add that if it’s disrupted, it is deemed approved and can move forward.
x If it’s canceled due to disruptive behavior, the second virtual NIM should satisfy the NIM
requirement.
x Applicants have sometimes had virtual NIMs that had technical problems, so Mr. Mulhere began
advertising that the virtual NIM was a courtesy.
x The way the change is written is that an applicant can hold a virtual NIM to satisfy the
requirement if the first NIM was canceled due to disruptive behavior. It also says the applicants
can hire a security detail. (The sheriff’s office was reluctant to remove a disruptor.)
x The disruptor should be penalized by being escorted out and being barred from further hearings
on that application.
x Applicants, who have spent thousands on technology, etc., are being penalized by the disruptors.
x The change also says the applicant shall provide a written summary.
Chairman Brooker made a motion to recommend that the DSAC approve the proposed LDC amendment as
written, along with the companion Administrative Code amendment, and recommend punitive action to anyone
who disrupts a NIM.
Mr. Mulhere seconded it and asked that page 6, the second to last line, “The applicant is required to record the
NIM proceedings and to provide an audio or video,” be changed to say “audio or audio/video” because someone
could provide no sound and comply.
Mr. Johnson asked if he wanted it to include “foster communication between” and strike “collaboration” on
page 5.
Chairman Brooker amended his motion and Mr. Mulhere amended his second.
Chairman Brooker made a motion to recommend that the DSAC recommend approval of the LDC
amendment as written and the Administrative Code, and on page 5 to change “collaboration” to “foster
communication with” and on page 6, change the Administrative Code language to say “provide an audio or
January 17, 2023
6
audio/video copy” and that the Board of County Commissioners consider punitive action against those who
disrupt a NIM and cause it to be canceled. Mr. Mulhere seconded it. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0.
[Mr. Mulhere left the meeting at 4:48 p.m.]
5. Public Comments
None
6. 2023 DSAC-LDR Subcommittee Potential Dates
a. February 21, 2023
b. March 21, 2023
c. June 20, 2023
d. September 19, 2023
e. December 19, 2023
Chairman Brooker said he’d be out of state on June 20.
Mr. McLean also said he can’t be there on June 20.
The subcommittee and Mr. Johnson discussed other dates, room availability, and the proximity of the
December meeting to the holidays, and agreed to discuss the June meeting in May and for now, agree to
February 21, March 21, May 16, September 19 and December 19.
Mr. Johnson noted that staff can’t initiate amendments, which must come at the DSAC’s direction. He
suggested that if they still have a problem with exterior lighting to bring it up at the full DSAC meeting.
Chairman Brooker said they could add it to the agenda under Committee Comment.
7. Adjourn
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by the
order of the chairman at 4:54 p.m.
COLLIER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
LAND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
____________________________________________
Clay Brooker, Chairman
These minutes were approved by the subcommittee/chairman on ________________, (check one) as
presented _______, or as amended ________.
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Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 RequestsBusiness DaysResponse Time - Letters of Availability
Requests Completed Minimum Average Maximum Requests Received
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Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 RequestsBusiness DaysResponse Time - Utility Deviations
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Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 RequestsBusiness DaysResponse Time - FDEP Permits
Requests Completed Initial Review Time Revision Review Time Director Approval Time Requests Received