On May 25, 2021 staff received the attached completed pre-annexation application from Hudson Bay Developers, LLC. The subject property is located on Sea Forest Drive and divided into two pieces with one piece on the north side and the second piece on the south side.
Section 3.09.00 of the Land Development Code (LDC), provides the process for annexation of properties into the City. Specifically, Section 3.09.01, of the LDC, requires that a pre-annexation agreement be approved by the City Council prior to a property owner submitting a petition for annexation into the City. If the City Council approves the pre-annexation agreement, which authorizes the property owner to submit a petition for voluntary annexation to the City, then the petition for annexation would be processed in accordance with the requirements set forth within the Florida Statutes. The pre-annexation agreement does not annex the subject property into the City. The terms of the pre-annexation agreement provide for the following:
1. City’s intention to accept the property through annexation;
2. Description of proposed use of the property and concept plan;
3. Identification of the City’s future land use and zoning designations to be applied to the property after annexation; and
4. Acknowledgment of availability of appropriate public services and infrastructure.
In the case of this specific pre-annexation agreement, the proposed project is intended to be developed as a 82 dwelling unit townhome/apartment home project. A concept plan was provided and is attached to this staff report. This pre-annexation agreement does not approve any site plan, but simply acknowledges the intended use of the property. If the property is annexed into the City, then it will be required to proceed through the City’s standard development review processes for the approval of the proposed project.
The subject property has a future land use assigned by Pasco County of Residential which allows for 24 dwelling units per acre. However, it is important to note that the proposed development must follow the County's density requirements and the density is significantly less than the maximum allowed under the current County’s adopted future land use. The proposed development density is 4.33 du/acre (82 dwelling units on 18.9 acres).
Section 171.044, Florida Statutes, allows a property to be voluntarily annexed into the city as long as the property is contiguous to the existing city limits and is reasonably compact. The subject property is contiguous with the existing city limits to the north and is reasonably compact (i.e. does not show a serpentine or linear pattern). Florida Statutes also allow for a property to be annexed if it is only separated by a right-of-way.
Should City Council approve this pre-annexation agreement, a full annexation report will be provided for City Council consideration as part of the succeeding annexation process. Also, Florida Statutes require that Pasco County be notified of the formal annexation process and be provided an opportunity to comment. If this item is approved, the City Manager will advise the County Administrator at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
The City's Development Review Committee reviewed this application at their meeting on June 10, 2021 and recommended that the City Council consider approving the matter.