Board votes to add communications and public utilities to agricultural land-use allowed uses

The Planning and Zoning Board voted to transmit a proposed text amendment to the comprehensive plan that would add two uses'communications facilities and public utilities'to the agricultural land-use category.

Joe Yaczek, Assistant Director of Planning and Economic Development, told the board the city must be consistent with county allowances and that the amendment "we want to add those 2 particular uses." He stressed that the amendment does not itself rezone property or confer by-right development; additional approvals such as rezoning would still be required for any particular parcel.

Board members discussed the limited amount of agricultural land remaining in the city and the broader effect that the amendment would have on all agricultural parcels. After brief discussion the board voted to transmit a favorable recommendation to the City Commission.

The item will proceed to the City Commission for ordinance consideration and, if approved, would later be subject to any necessary rezoning or site-specific approvals.