As Council will recall, the City entered into an Interlocal Agreement with Pasco County to annex the subject property into the corporate limits of New Port Richey effective as of October 1, 2024. As required by Florida Statutes, the City must assign an appropriate Land Use for the property.
The subject property currently has two Pasco County Land Use designations of Pasco County Retail/Office/Residential (ROR) and Pasco County Residential-24.
The area consists of multiple small lots along two roads in a rectangular arrangement. It is situated between multifamily residential and commercial. Since it has multiple owners the highest and best use is single family residential or if sufficient lots could be assembled a multifamily development would be appropriate.
The City is proposing to amend the Future Land Use Map to designate the subject properties as Medium Density Residential-20. This will allow construction of single-family homes or if sufficient properties are assembled a multifamily development.
The proposal is consistent with the following Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan:
- FLU 1 To promote compatible land uses which will maximize, enhance and preserve New Port Richey’s unique and attractive characteristics in a manner consistent with the economic, physical, ecological and social needs, capabilities and desires of the community.
- FLU 1.1.4 The City shall promote the efficient use of natural resources and public facilities and services by encouraging the use of innovative land development techniques such as planned developments, clustering of land uses and mixed-use development.
- FLU 1.2 Maintain the integrity and quality of life, in existing residential areas through decision making that promotes traditional neighborhood development, family-orientation and “small town” character.
- FLU 1.2.2 The City shall encourage a balanced land use mix providing for a variety of housing styles, densities and open space.
- FLU 1.4.6 The City shall promote land use patterns that maximize investments in public facilities and services (e.g., maintaining planned land use intensities adjacent to Public Transit Corridors).
The proposed Future Land Use Map Amendment is a necessary step in the annexation of the subject properties. The approval of the amendment will enable the rezoning of the site, and facilitate its growth and redevelopment as an attractive and engaging development that will continue to further the goals of the city.
The Land Development Review Board reviewed this matter at their regular meeting on October 24, 2024 and recommended that a Future Land Use Map amendment from Pasco County Retail/Office/Residential (ROR) and Pasco County Residential-24 to Medium Density Residential-20 (MDR-20) to MDR-20 would be consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map.