(A) Purpose. The purpose of the citizen participation plan is to:
(1) Ensure that applicants pursue early and effective citizen participation in conjunction with their applications, giving them the opportunity to understand and try to mitigate any real or perceived impacts their application may have on the community.
(2) Ensure that citizens have an adequate opportunity to learn about applications that may affect them and to work with applicants to resolve concerns at an early stage of the review and decision-making process.
(3) Facilitate ongoing communication between the applicant, interested citizens, city staff, appointed and elected officials throughout the applicant review process.
(4) The citizen participation plan is not intended to produce complete consensus on all applications, but to encourage applicants to be good neighbors and to allow for informed decision-making.
(B) Applicability.
(1) Every application for development, unless specifically exempted by this subchapter, shall include a citizen participation plan and a citizen participation report that must be implemented prior to an application being deemed sufficient for staff review and scheduling of public hearings.
(2) When in compliance with all other city ordinances and regulations, the following projects are exempted from the other provisions of this section.
(a) Construction of one single-family detached dwelling.
(b) Construction of ten (10) or less multi-family dwelling units, regardless of density.
(c) Amendments to an approved Planned Unit Development (PUD) that are exempt per § 185.066(C)(2).
(C) Meeting notice and plan contents.
(1) At a minimum, the applicant shall host at least one citizen participation plan that shall be held within city limits and may be accompanied by a virtual meeting link.
(2) The citizen participation plan shall include the following information:
(a) A copy of the notice containing the date, time and location of the meeting that was mailed to all residents, property owners, interested parties, political jurisdictions and public agencies that may be affected by the application within five hundred (500) feet of the subject property and a copy of the mailing list. These requirements apply in addition to any notice provisions required elsewhere in the Land Development Regulations. Citizen participation plan meeting dates may not overlap with any City of Palm Bay Council meetings or Planning and Zoning Board meetings.
(b) A brief statement introducing the request, identifying the location of the subject parcel(s), the total acreage, its current use, its current future land use designation, its current zoning designation and identifying whether it is improved or unimproved.
(3) During the citizen participation plan meeting, the applicant shall provide an overview of the request describing the potential impact the proposed request may have on the surrounding properties.
(4) citizen participation plan meetings must be held within ninety (90) days of official submittal of a complete application to the City of Palm Bay.
(D) Citizen participation report.
(1) When a citizen participation plan is required, the applicant shall provide a written report, on a city prescribed form, documenting the results of the citizen participation plan meeting. This report shall be required as part of the complete application submittal package filed with the Growth Management Department.
(2) The citizen participation report shall include a copy of any meeting notice(s) and any attachments or accompanying materials included with the notice.
(3) The report shall identify the number of attendees, include a copy of the sign-in sheet, any materials distributed or presented at the meeting and summarize the substance of concerns, issues and problems expressed during the meeting.
(4) The report shall describe how the applicant has addressed, or intends to address the concerns, issues and problems expressed during the process.
(5) The report shall identify which concerns, issues and problems the applicant is unwilling or unable to address, if any, and shall state the applicant's justification.
(Ord. 2006-45, passed 5-16-06; Am. Ord. 2014-48, passed 10-14-14; Am. Ord. 2016-12, passed 3-17-16; Am. Ord. 2022-84, passed 8-18-22; Am. Ord. 2023-06, passed 2-16-23)