Review of ‘confusing’ comprehensive plan will soon be up for public comment

Discrepancies in and consolidation of Manatee County’s “confusing” comprehensive plan and land development code will soon be up for public comment.

In a joint meeting between county commissioners and planning commissioners Tuesday, consultant Pat Tyjeski, of Orlando-based engineering firm Littlejohn, presented some issues that need to be updated in the plan and code, namely to “minimize (the) reliance on special approval and planned development.”

According to Tyjeski’s analysis, there are 53 different things that require special approval, which points out possible impacts to natural resources, including projects that have a mixed use future land use category, projects in the 25-year floodplain and affordable housing.

In the presentation, pros and cons of planned development were listed. On one hand, the public has a say in these projects and regulations can be tweaked, but future permit changes may be in jeopardy, this type of project can be used to “circumvent” guidelines for certain areas in the county and it might lead to “unpredictability” for staff, the applicant and the public.

Tyjeski noted that the purpose of reviewing the plan and code is to add amendments, not to implement or change big policies.

Commission chairwoman Betsy Benac took some time at the meeting to point out that the public was not present to “engage at this stage when the sausage is being made,” noting that a larger public audience is expected at the controversial Aqua by the Bay hearing Wednesday morning.

“This is the problem with planning and zoning,” Benac said, but she encouraged anyone with comments or concerns to reach out.

After county staff have had the opportunity to review and revise the draft, it is scheduled be presented to the public in November. A public workshop will be held in January.

Bill Clague, assistant county attorney, said the state of the plan and code was “confusing and not following best practice.”

“This stuff needs to be cleaned up,” he said.

Also discussed at the meeting, a “first of its kind” cloud-based software called Accela will be implemented for better facilitating permits and other planning documents.

“I have a lot of confidence in this,” said John Barnott, director of the Manatee County building and development services department.

This story was originally published August 15, 2017 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Review of ‘confusing’ comprehensive plan will soon be up for public comment."