The Land Development Review Board was created for the purpose of offering advisory opinions and recommendations to the City Council on matters involving the development of land in the city, including preparation and amendment of the Comprehensive Plan, the City's Land Development Code, and variances granted thereunder. Although a citizen based board, it is desirable to have members who are knowledgeable on matters of land development.
New Port Richey is a small city with a limited population pool of available volunteers to serve on boards and committees. While staff provides technical and professional advice, the citizen appointed board weighs that information along with community values in making their recommendation to the City Council. The Land Development Review Board is charged with reviewing land development requests that will affect the growth, economic vitality and character of the city. As such, it is important for some of the board members to be of certain professions (i.e. real estate attorneys, engineers, city planners, architects, realtors, etc.).
The current ordinance requires that the City Council fill a vacant regular member position from the alternate pool. This mandate limits the ability of the City Council to appoint a candidate with desirable qualifications. The proposed ordinance will give the City Council the ability to appoint applicants city wide or from the alternate pool.
The Land Development Review Board discussed this item at their regular meeting on March 18, 2021 and voted 3-1 in favor of the amendments.