In 2008 as part of the County’s Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR), an Administrative Amendment to the Seminole County Comprehensive Plan was conducted to change the properties under the County’s Natural Lands program to a future land use of Preservation/Managed Lands (PML). The PML future land use designation was created with the intent to preserve open space, water resources, and significant natural areas as desired and authorized by Seminole County through the Natural Lands Program. A rezone of these properties to PLI (Public Lands and Institutions) was not included with the 2008 Amendment and several of the properties retained their existing and inconsistent zoning classifications which include agricultural, industrial, commercial, and residential entitlements.
As part of the overall goal of the County to further protect these Natural Lands areas, Seminole County Leisure Services has requested a rezone of approximately 7,540 acres of County-owned and maintained lands that are part of the Natural Lands program from A-1 (Agriculture), A-5 (Rural), A-10 (Rural), C-2 (Retail Commercial), PD (Planned Development), M-1 (Industrial), M-1A (Very Light Industrial), PLI (Public Lands and Institutions), and R-1 (Single Family Dwelling) to PLI (Public Lands and Institutions). The Rezone will remove inconsistent zoning classifications and existing development entitlements and limit the allowed uses on the properties to public parks, parkways, and reserves. The Natural Lands areas included in the Rezone request are as follows:
Black Bear Wilderness Area
Black Hammock Wilderness Area
Chuluota Wilderness Area
Econ River Wilderness Area
Geneva Wilderness Area
Lake Harney Wilderness Area
Lake Jesup Wilderness Area
Lake Proctor Wilderness Area
Lee Tract
Overlook Park
Spring Hammock Preserve
Sullivan Tract & Unnamed Parcel
Wilson’s Landing
Approximately +/- 8 acres of the Natural Lands properties, not including Spring Hammock Preserve, were obtained after the 2008 Future Land Use Amendment. These properties are located in the Lake Harney Wilderness Area and Overlook Park. A Small Scale Future Land Use Map Amendment from Low Density Residential and Rural-5 to Preservation/Managed Lands will be necessary to bring these properties into consistency with the other Natural Lands areas and the requested PLI zoning classification. Spring Hammock Preserve is not part of the Future Land Use Map Amendment request and will retain its inconsistent Future Land Use designations as several of the properties in Spring Hammock Preserve are owned by the State of Florida and leased to the County. Authorization from the State will be required for the Large Scale Future Land Use Map Amendment of Spring Hammock Preserve which the County will bring forward at a later date. Note that the County has received a letter of no objection to the rezoning of Spring Hammock Preserve and it is included in the aforementioned Rezone request to PLI.
The Natural Lands properties were all developed in accordance with the Natural Lands program which states the lands will remain public parks in perpetuity. There are no future development plans that will result from this rezone request. Operations of the Natural Lands areas and other parks are under the jurisdiction of the Leisure Services department and are outside of the scope of this rezone request.
Consistency with the Land Development Code
The proposed PLI (Public Lands and Institutions) zoning designation has been evaluated for compatibility with the Land Development Code of Seminole County in accordance with Chapter 30, Part 32.
The request is consistent with the Seminole County Land Development Code and the objectives of the PLI zoning designation which is intended to include major public lands and uses, including public parks, parkways, reserves, and related facilities.
Staff finds the requested PLI zoning classification to be consistent with the Land Development Code.
Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan
The purpose and intent of the proposed Preservation/Managed Lands future land use designation is to preserve open space, water resources, and significant natural areas as desired and authorized by Seminole County through the Natural Lands Program.
The proposed PLI zoning classification is compatible and consistent with the Preservation/Managed Lands future land use designation.
Staff finds the Preservation/Managed Lands future land use designation and PLI zoning classification to be consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and the County’s Natural Lands program.
Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation
The Planning & Zoning Commission met on December 2, 2020, and voted to recommend the Board of County Commissioners adopt the proposed Ordinance enacting a Small Scale Future Land Use Map Amendment from Low Density Residential and Rural-5 to Preservation/Managed Lands on approximately 8 acres and adopt the proposed Ordinance enacting a Rezone from A-1 (Agriculture), A-5 (Rural), A-10 (Rural), C-2 (Retail Commercial), PD (Planned Development), M-1 (Industrial), M-1A (Very Light Industrial), PLI (Public Lands and Institutions), and R-1 (Single Family Dwelling) to PLI (Public Lands and Institutions) for the County owned and maintained Natural Lands areas on approximately 7,540 acres.