Title
An Ordinance of the City Commission of Coral Gables, Florida providing for a text amendment to the City of Coral Gables Official Zoning Code, amending Article 3, “Development Review,” Division 21, “Art in Public Places Program,” Section 3-2103, “Art in Public Places Fund Requirements, Waivers, and Exemptions,” Section 2104 “Administration,” and Section 3-2105 “Enforcement,”; clarifying the ordinance by utilizing the words “alternative options” in lieu of the word “waivers,” modifying procedures of the Art in Public Places Program; providing a repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date.
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On September 28, 2016, the City Commission requested staff review of other options to achieve an increase in resources toward the purchase of parks and open spaces.
On August 23, 2016, the City Commission approved the Ordinance on First Reading with requests for the following information: listing of area Art in Public Places programs and fees; impact of removing soft costs from the ordinance definition of Construction Cost; estimate of Parks and Open Spaces fee collection based on pending projects.
On April 12, 2016, the City Commission passed and adopted Resolution 2016-92 which directed staff to prepare an ordinance amending the Art in Public Places Program to provide for increased contributions for non-municipal constructions projects, including as to the use of funds for public parks and open spaces.
Recognizing the importance of parks and open public spaces to enhance quality of life, the amended ordinance allows greater flexibility to collect funds toward the purchase of parks and open spaces.
In keeping with this intent, the use of the term "waiver" in the current ordinance would be better expressed as "alternative options." It is also appropriate to modify certain procedures and simple text amendments at this time.
The Cultural Development Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed Zoning Code text amendment (vote 5-0).