Subject:
Title
Public Hearing: Amendment to Chapter 62, Article I, Section 62-2, “Rules of construction and definitions,” Brevard County Code of Ordinances, to remove a definition of “Major Transit Stop,” and to add a definition of “Transit Stop.”
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Fiscal Impact:
None
Dept/Office:
Planning and Development
Requested Action:
Recommendation
Board Approval of Attached Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 62, Article I, Section 62-2, “Rules of construction and definitions,” Brevard County Code of Ordinances, thereby removing a definition of “Major Transit Stop,” and adding a definition of “Transit Stop.”
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Summary Explanation and Background:
On March 29, 2023, the Live Local Act was signed into law by Governor DeSantis. This Act is designed to facilitate and encourage the development of affordable housing. Because the Act required the County to have a definition of “major transit stop” in its Land Development Code for the purposes of considering reduced parking requirements for affordable housing developments, the Board amended Section 62-2, Brevard County Code of Ordinances, to include this definition.
During the 2024 Legislative Session, amendments were made to the Live Local Act via Chapter 2024-188, Laws of Florida. Included in these amendments is a change of the relevant provision concerning reduced parking requirements for developments located near transit stops. The changes are as follows (strikethroughs indicate deletions, underlines indicate additions):
“A county must consider reducing parking requirements for a proposed development authorized under this subsection if the development is located within one-quarter one-half mile of a major transit stop, as defined in the county’s land development code, and the major transit stop is accessible from the development.”
Accordingly, staff is requesting the Board approve a proposed amendment to Section 62-2 to remove “major transit stop” and add a definition for “transit stop.” The definition was developed in conjunction with Brevard County Transit Services Department and is based on the definition of “transit stop” found in the Florida Department of Transportation’s Transit Design Handbook. FDOT’s definition is as follows:
“Stop, Transit- An area where passengers wait for, board, alight, and transfer between transit vehicles. In the case of bus, it is usually indicated by distinctive signs and by curb or pavement markings and may provide service information, shelter, seating, or any combination of these.”
Staff’s proposed definition for inclusion in the Ordinance is:
“Transit Stop. A site designated and approved by a public transit agency (other than that used for the transportation of children to and from school) for the purpose of an area where passengers wait for, board, alight, and transfer between transit vehicles. Such sites shall include, but not be limited to, designated Space Coast Area Transit bus stops.”
The Planning and Zoning Board reviewed the proposed ordinance amendment on August 12, 2024, and recommended approval. The Building Construction Advisory Committee reviewed the proposed ordinance on August 7, 2024, and unanimously recommended approval.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Once ordinance is filed with the State, please return two copies to Planning & Development.