Subject:
Title
Ordinance amending Appendix A, the Ten-Year Water Supply Facility Plan, of the potable water supply, wastewater, and reuse element of the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan. (second public hearing)
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
The second of two public hearings for Case Number CP-21-02 (Ordinance). Based upon evidence and findings contained in the staff report and attachments, this Case is recommended for approval by the Board of County Commissioners.
This Case consists of an Ordinance amending Appendix A, the Ten-Year Water Supply Facility Plan (Work Plan), of the potable water supply, wastewater, and reuse element of the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan. The primary purpose of the Work Plan is to meet water supply and water facilities planning statutory requirements, and to identify and plan for water supply sources and facilities needed to meet existing and projected retail and wholesale potable water demands within the County’s Water Demand Planning Area.
These proposed amendments are being added to comply with Section 163.3177(6)(c), Florida Statutes, requiring local governments to adopt a Work Plan into their Comprehensive Plan within 18 months after the Southwest Florida Water Management District adopts, or updates, the Regional Water Supply Plan. The amendments accomplish the following:
• Compliance with Statutory requirements.
• Updates water supply capital program dollar amounts to reflect current 10-year timeframe.
• Focuses on operation and maintenance of existing infrastructure to ensure a safe and sustainable water supply.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Deliver First-Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.4 Strive to serve the needs of all Pinellas County residents and customers
Summary:
Summary
The primary purpose of the Work Plan update, is to meet water supply and water facilities planning statutory requirements, and to identify and plan for water supply sources and facilities needed to meet existing and projected retail and wholesale potable water demands within the County’s Water Demand Planning Area.
Staff from the Planning Division worked with the Utilities Department to complete the required changes to the Work Plan, updating it to be consistent with the County’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
Staff has provided each municipality who is a retail or wholesale water customer with a copy of the updated Work Plan draft to assist them with preparing the necessary updates to their respective Comprehensive Plans, evidencing the County’s commitment to meeting wholesale and retail water needs.
Body
Background Information:
Specifically, Section 163.3177(6)(c), Florida Statutes (F.S.), requires local governments to adopt a work plan into their Comprehensive Plan within 18 months after the SWFWMD adopts, or updates, the Regional Water Supply Plan. The most recently updated Regional Water Supply Plan was approved by SWFWMD in November 2020, and the deadline for local governments to meet this requirement is May 2022.
The Development Review Committee (DRC) reviewed this application on November 7, 2021 and forwarded it to the Local Planning Agency (LPA) who recommended approval by the Board at their December 9, 2021 meeting. The Board conducted the first of two (2) public hearings on January 25, 2022 and authorized staff to transmit the Ordinance to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for statutorily required State agency review.
State Agency Review and Comments:
Six (6) agencies commented on the proposed Ordinance, including DEO, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT),Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and SWFWMD.
All but one (1) agency responded either having no comment or that there were no impacts on resources. SWFWMD requested additional information to support the data pertaining to the update. County staff met with the agency on April 6, 2022 and were able to clarify their needs and provide additional information and assurances. A copy of a memorandum responding to comments and requests (post meeting) is attached.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Carol Stricklin, Director, Housing and Community Development
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
1. Ordinance - clean
2. Ordinance - track changes
3. LPA Report - final
4. Presentation
5. Memo to SWFWMD