OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

CHERYL L. BROWN                                                                                                         117 WEST DUVAL STREET, SUITE 425

            DIRECTOR                                                                                                                                                                                 4TH FLOOR, CITY HALL

   OFFICE (904) 630-1452                                                                                                                                                          JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  32202

     FAX (904) 630-2906                                                                                                                                                                                                              

  E-MAIL: CLBROWN@coj.net

 

 

LUZ COMMITTEE WORKSHOP MINUTES

 

February 19, 2014

4:30 p.m.

 

City Council Chamber

1st floor, City Hall

117 West Duval Street

 

Attendance:  Council Members Lori Boyer (Chair), Matt Schellenberg, Bill Bishop, Jim Love, Don Redman (4:44p)

 

Also: Calvin Burney, Folks Huxford and Stephen Smith – Planning and Development Department; Jason Gabriel and Ms. Grandin – Office of General Counsel; Philip Zamarron – Legislative Services Division; Yvonne Mitchell – Council Research Division

 

Chairwoman Boyer called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

 

CM Boyer reported the workshop derived from a notice meeting with CM Bishop last week.  They discussed:

 

  • Denise Chaplick, Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator - She has been on extended leave.  CM Boyer shared that committee should contact Mr. James Reed who is assuming some of Ms. Chaplick’s responsibilities until further notice.

 

  • City standards for design of ditches – CM Boyer stated there will be a review of City standards as it related to the design of the ditches since it impedes the ability to have sidewalks/walkable streets.

 

  • Methodology of mobility fee calculations – There have been some concern pertaining to how the fee is calculated which may deviate from the Ordinance and Mobility Plan.

 

Mobility Fees calculations

 

Mr. Burney provided a handout which included the worksheet utilized by the Department to calculate the fees.  He continued with detail review of the Mobility Fee and pass by capture rate calculation per the ITE. He stated the concepts used to determine passerby capture generates from the ITE Trip Generation manual which advises users to use professional judgment. The process involves reviewing type of project, review of similar projects in area, traffic on adjacent streets and studies conduct with land uses with similar uses.

 

There was extensive conversation pertaining to the exact formula utilized to determine the passerby capture rate figure, whether that process was in accordance with the Ordinance Code and the date policy changed to revise process to determine passerby.

 

Mr. Burney and staff conducted a study for a passerby capture on a particular project due to the amount submitted by the developer.  After completing the study, staff determined the requested passerby capture far exceed what the average was for the area which was confirmed by a local consulting firm.   The ITE averages are considered as the upper limit of the range.

 

There four speakers voiced concern about the discrepancy with the mobility fee. Speakers shared that the manual provides for different land uses codes a summary of all pass by studies done and their ranges. Typically in the industry developer’s use the averages in the manual as the starting point. They also provided project specific issues where the planning department figures did not match ITE.

 

Mr. Smith reported that OGC is still working on the Mobility Fee Contract to which CM Boyer stated it was priority considering it has been two years after adoption.

 

Mr. Burney will submit a copy of the special local trip generation study being used by the department to determine the fees on next business day.

 

 

There being no further business, the agenda meeting was adjourned at 5:19 p.m.

 

 

Yvonne P. Mitchell, Council Research Division (904) 630-1679

 

Posted 3.10.14

1:00 p.m.