Sturges Wants Commission to Talk About Density

By Mike Lednovich

Vice Mayor David Sturges wants to discuss the definition of density in the city as it is written in the Land Development Code and the Comprehensive Plan at Tuesday's city commission meeting.

Sturges, who operates a home construction and renovation business, has already voted to lower building department permit fees charged to contractors in a previous meeting.

"I've discussed the topic with Vice Mayor Sturges and would rather have him speak to them first at Tuesday's meeting," said City Planning and Conservation Director Kelly Gibson. "He has changes in mind and I believe he is looking for commission input (on those changes)."

The commission has the authority to direct staff to recommend changes in both the Land Development Code (LDC) and the Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan). Any revisions to the LDC and Comp Plan are first reviewed by the City's Planning Advisory Board. Proposed revisions are then voted for approval by the City Commission.

Net density is currently defined in both the LDC and Comp Plan as "Net Density is determined by multiplying the “maximum allowable units per acre” by the “net buildable land area” expressed in acreage. “Net buildable land area” means those contiguous land areas under common ownership proposed for residential development, minus undevelopable environmentally sensitive areas, wetland and wetlands transitional areas, floodplains and waters of the state.

Lots adjoining an existing right-of-way may calculate half of the width of that right-of-way as part of the “net buildable land area” definition."

Contacted by email and text message, Sturges did not respond for comment on his agenda discussion items.

Also included in his discussion are Land Development Code (LDC) - Section 1.03.04 Demolition of Structures on Substandard Lots and LDC Section 1.03.05 Construction or Demolition of Structures on Combined Lots.

"I believe he has issues with the current code and is looking to the commission for guidance," Gibson said.