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CITIZENS FOR PROPER PLANNING, INC., AND JIM DURHAM vs POLK COUNTY, 03-000933GM (2003)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 03-000933GM Visitors: 24
Petitioner: CITIZENS FOR PROPER PLANNING, INC., AND JIM DURHAM
Respondent: POLK COUNTY
Judges: D. R. ALEXANDER
Agency: Department of Community Affairs
Locations: Bartow, Florida
Filed: Mar. 19, 2003
Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Tuesday, February 24, 2004.

Latest Update: Jun. 29, 2004
Summary: The issue is whether Polk County's small scale development amendment (CPA2003S-02) adopted by Ordinance No. 03-03 on January 22, 2003, as later amended by Ordinance No. 03-19 on March 15, 2003, is in compliance.Small scale amendment which changed use on land from residential to commercial conflicts with two other policies in the Plan and is inconsistent with the Plan and not in compliance.
2-24-04 A dg 4 Fy “85 ee FINAL ORDER NO/a-0F904 a) © Ca Uy oy 4 STATE OF FLORIDA Gy, Ox > ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION CAR So e oo JIM DURHAM AND CITIZENS hp FOR PROPER PLANNING, INC., Petitioners, AC CASE No. ACC-04-002 vs. DOAHCASENos. 03-05036M DRA-CLoS 03-0933GM POLK COUNTY, Respondents, and JACK M. BERRY, INC., Intervenor. / FINAL ORDER This cause came for hearing before the Administration Commission (Commission) on June 24, 2004. Based on a review of the record and being duly advised in the premises, the Commission hereby finds as follows: 1. The issue for the Commission’s review is whether the small scale amendment, as that term is defined in section 163.3187(1)(c), Florida Statutes (2003), to Polk County’s Comprehensive Plan adopted in Ordinance No. CPA2003S-02 and modified by Ordinance No. 03-03 is in compliance with Florida’s Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act. 2. The Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) recommends that the Commission find that the small scale amendment is not in compliance. Accordingly, the Commission, in accordance with section 163.3187(3)(b)1, Florida Statutes (2003), must take final agency action on the Recommended Order issued by DOAH in this matter. 3. The Commission’s scope of review of the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the Recommended Order is governed by section 120.57(1)(), Florida Statutes (2003). 4. The Commission hereby adopts and incorporates by reference herein DOAH’s Recommended Order with the following modifications and rejections to the Recommended Order: a. The Commission hereby rejects all of the Recommended Order’s Conclusions of Law that address whether Citizens for Proper Planning, Inc. (CPPI) has standing in this case. As a threshold matter, the parties do not contest that the Commission, by virtue of its authority in section 163.3187(3)(b)1, Florida Statutes (2003), has substantive jurisdiction to determine whether the parties that appear before it in these proceedings have standing to do so. See § 120.57(1)(), Fla. Stat. (2003) (stating that the Commission, as the agency with final order authority in this case, may reject conclusions of law over which it has substantive jurisdiction). As such, the Commission rejects all Conclusions of Law that address whether CPPI has standing because neither the Cormmission nor DOAH needs to exercise its jurisdiction to address that issue in order to resolve the substantive issues regarding the small scale amendment’s compliance with the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act. See Coalition for Adequacy and Fairness in School Funding, Inc. v. Chiles, 680 So. 2d 400, 403 n.4 (Fla. 1996) (“While we question the standing of [one plaintiff], we need not discuss that issue because of the standing of the other plaintiffs.”). See also Scott v. U.S., 98S. Ct. 1717, 1722 n.10 (1978). As Paragraph 53 of the Recommended Order notes, CPPI has been allowed to fully participate in this proceeding and to have its claims addressed in this Recommended Order. Further, its co-Petitioner, Durham, has standing to continue to pursue the common interests of the two parties. The Recommended Order held and the parties do not contest that Petitioner Durham has standing to pursue the issues presented in this proceeding. Accordingly, even if the Commission were to decide that CPPI has no standing, the Commission would be compelled to decide the underlying substantive issues. See Coalition for Adequacy and Fairness, 680 So. 2d at 403 n.4; Scott, 436 S. Ct. at 1722 n.10. On the other hand, if the Commission decides that CPPI does have standing, the Commission would simply repeat the same analysis that it has applied to Petitioner Durham’s claims. See Coalition for Adequacy and Fairness, 680 So. 2d at 403 n.4; Scott, 436 S. Ct. at 1722 n.10. Because neither the Commission nor DOAH needs to decide the issue of CPPI’s standing under these circumstances, see Coalition for Adequacy and Fairness, 680 So. 2d at 403 n.4; Scott, 436 S. Ct. at 1722 n.10, the Commission’s rejection of the Recomraended Order’s Conclusions of Law on CPPI’s standing is as or more reasonable than the Recommended Order’s Conclusions of Law on this issue. See § 120.57(1)(1), Fla. Stat. (2003). Accordingly, the Commission hereby rejects the Recommended Order’s Conclusions of Law on CPPI’s standing. Nevertheless, the Commission recognizes that whether CPPI has standing under section 163.3184(1)(a), Fla. Stat. (2003), is debatable and, therefore, recommends that the Legislature address the ambiguity presented by the meaning of “operating a business” in section 163.3184(1)(a), Fla. Stat. (2003), in order to provide clarity to future participants in the growth management process. b. The Commission hereby modifies Paragraph 58 of the Recommended Order solely for the reason that it contains a typographical error. Paragraph 58 states that the amendment does not comply with Policy 2.113-B-1 in the Future Land Use Element in the County’s Comprehensive Plan but that it does comply with Policy 2.110-C3 in the Future Land Use Element in the County’s Comprehensive Plan. This statement, however, is inconsistent with the Recommended Order’s Findings of Fact, specifically Paragraphs 30, 31, 32, 45, 46, 47, and 48, regarding the amendment’s consistency with Policy 2.113-B-1 and Policy 2.1 10-C3. Accordingly, the Commission hereby modifies Paragraph 58 so that it reads as follows: 58. For the reasons stated in the Findings of Fact, the preponderance of the evidence supports the County’s determination that the plan amendment does not conflict with Policies 2.1 02-Al, 2.113-B-3, and 2.110-C3. Conversely, the preponderance of the evidence establishes that the County’s determination of the amendment’s consistency with Policies 2.113-B-4 and 2.113-B-1 was incorrect, and that the amendment conflicts with those provisions, in violation of Section 163.3177(2), Florida Statutes. This being so, the amendment is not in compliance. The Commission’s modification of Paragraph 58 to correct a typographical error is more reasonable than accepting the Conclusions of Law in Paragraph 58 that are inconsistent with the Findings of Fact in Paragraphs 30, 31, 32, 45, 46, 47, and 48. See § 120.57(1)(1), Fla. Stat. (2003). With these two exceptions, the Commission otherwise hereby adopts and incorporates by reference all of the remaining Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the Recommended Order and, therefore, determines that the amendment does not comply with Florida’s Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act. NOTICE OF RIGHTS Any party to this Final Order has the right to seek judicial review of the Final Order pursuant to Section 120.68, Florida Statutes (2003), by the filing of a Notice of Appeal pursuant to Rule 9.110, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, with Barbara Leighty, Clerk of the Commission, Office of Planning and Budgeting, Executive Office of the Governor, the Capitol, Room 1802, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001; and by filing a copy of the Notice of Appeal, accompanied by the applicable filing fees, with the appropriate District Court of Appeal. The Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the day this Final Order is filed with the Clerk of the Commission. DONE AND ORDERED this 25th day of June, 2004. A Drone . Olen MICHAEL P. HANSEN, Secretary Administration Commission FILED with the Clerk of the Administration Commission on this 25th day of June, 2004. lerk, Admi: 6n — CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was delivered to the following persons by United States mail, facsimile or hand delivery this 25th day of June, 2004. Honorable Jeb Bush Governor The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Honorable Tom Gallagher Chief Financial Officer The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Chanta Combs, Esquire Governor’s Legal Office Room 209, The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001 Terrell K. Arline, Esquire 3205 Brentwood Way Tallahassee, Florida 32309-2705 Joseph G. Jarret, Esquire Anne T. Gibson, Esquire Polk County Attorney’s Office Post Office Box 9005 Bartow, Florida 33831-9005 Jack P. Brandon, Esquire Michael T. Gallaher, Esquire Peterson & Myers, P.A. Post Office Box 1079 Lake Wales, Florida 33859-1079 Jean Reed, Executive Director Citizens for Proper Planning, Inc. 27 Lake Eloise Lane Winter Haven, Florida 33884 Honorable Charles H. Bronson Commissioner of Agriculture The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Honorable Charlie Crist Attomey General The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Thaddeus Cohen, Secretary Heidi Hughes, General Counsel Department of Community Affairs 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32369-2100 Warren K. Heath, I, Authorized Agent Jack M. Berry, Inc. Post Office Box 459 Labelle, Florida 33975-0459 Jack M. Berry, Jr. Post Office Box 5609 Winter Haven, Florida 33880 Jim Durham 10 Lake Eloise Lane Southeast Winter Haven, Florida 33884 Florida Administrative Law Reports Post Office Box 385 Gainesville, Florida 32602 Honorable Donald R. Alexander Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 i MICHAEL P. HANSEN, Secretary Administration Commission

Docket for Case No: 03-000933GM
Issue Date Proceedings
Jun. 29, 2004 Final Order filed.
Jun. 14, 2004 Notice of Commission Meeting filed by B. Lightly.
Mar. 02, 2004 Notice of Prohibited Parties filed by M. Hansen.
Feb. 24, 2004 Recommended Order (hearing held December 18 and 19, 2003). CASE CLOSED.
Feb. 24, 2004 Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
Feb. 09, 2004 Petitioner`s Proposed Recommended Order filed.
Feb. 06, 2004 Respondent and Intervenor Notice of Filing Joint Proposed Recommended Order (filed via facsimile).
Feb. 05, 2004 Respondent`s and Intervenor`s Joint Proposed Recommended Order (filed via facsimile).
Jan. 07, 2004 Transcript (Volumes I and II) filed.
Dec. 18, 2003 CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
Dec. 16, 2003 Deposition (of Jean Reed) filed.
Dec. 16, 2003 Deposition (of Jim Durham) filed.
Dec. 16, 2003 Notice of Filing, Deposition of Jim Durham and Jean Reed filed by Intervenor, Jack M. Berry, Inc.,.
Dec. 15, 2003 Telephonic Deposition (of Earl Starnes, Ph.D.) filed.
Dec. 15, 2003 Notice of Filing filed by M. Gallaher.
Dec. 09, 2003 Notice of Filing a Supplement to Answers to Interrogatories of Intervenor, Jack M. Berry, Inc., to Petitioners Jim Durham and Citizens for Proper Planning, Inc. (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
Nov. 18, 2003 Notice of Taking Deposition (Dr. E. Starnes) filed via facsimile.
Aug. 06, 2003 Notice of Hearing (hearing set for December 18 and 19, 2003; 9:00 a.m.; Bartow, FL).
Aug. 04, 2003 Response to Order Continuing Hearing (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
Aug. 04, 2003 Response to Order Continuing Hearing (filed by Petitioners via facsimile).
Jun. 20, 2003 Order Granting Continuance (parties to advise status by August 4, 2003).
Jun. 20, 2003 Motion for Continuance (filed by Petitioners via facsimile).
Jun. 19, 2003 Resondent Polk County`s Response to Plaintiffs` Motion for Continuance (filed via facsimile).
Jun. 19, 2003 Intervenor`s Notice of Serving Answer to Interrogatories filed.
Jun. 19, 2003 Joint Stipulated Composite Exhibit "A" (Volumes I, II, and III) filed.
Jun. 18, 2003 Pre-hearing Stipulation (filed by M. Gallaher via facsimile).
Jun. 17, 2003 Notice of Taking Deposition, C. Diamond (filed via facsimile).
Jun. 17, 2003 Intervenor`s Response to Petitioners` Request for Production (filed via facsimile).
Jun. 16, 2003 Respondent Polk County`s Supplemental Notice of Compliance With Pre-Trial Order as to Exhibits (filed via facsimile).
Jun. 10, 2003 Respondent Polk County`s Notice of Compliance with Pre-Trial Order (filed via facsimile).
Jun. 03, 2003 Response to Plaintiffs` Request for Production of Documents (filed by Respondent via facsimile).
May 28, 2003 Notice of Serving Answers to Interrogatories of Intervenor, Jack M. Berry, Inc. to Petitioners Jim Durham and Citizens for Proper Planning, Inc. (filed by T. Arline via facsimile).
May 08, 2003 Request for Production of Documents to Intervenor, Jack M. Berry, Inc. (filed by T. Arline via facsimile).
May 08, 2003 Notice of Serving Petitioners` First Interrogatories and First Request to Produce Documents to Intervenor, Jack M. Berry, Inc. (filed via facsimile).
May 06, 2003 Notice of Taking Deposition of Corporate Representative (Citizens for Proper Planning, Inc.,) (filed via facsimile).
May 06, 2003 Notice of Taking Deposition, J. Durham (filed via facsimile).
Apr. 22, 2003 Notice of Service of Intervenor`s Jack M. Berry, Inc., Interrogatories to Petitioner, Citizens for Proper Planning, Inc. filed.
Apr. 22, 2003 Notice of Service of Intervenor`s Jack M. Berry, Inc., Interrogatories to Petitioner, Jim Durham filed.
Mar. 25, 2003 Order of Pre-hearing Instructions issued.
Mar. 25, 2003 Notice of Hearing issued (hearing set for June 23 and 24, 2003; 9:00 a.m.; Bartow, FL).
Mar. 25, 2003 Stipulation for Hearing Date (filed by T. Arline via facsimile).
Mar. 24, 2003 Response to Motion to Intervene (filed by T. Arline via facsimile).
Mar. 21, 2003 Letter to Judge Johnston from M. Gallaher enclosing courtesy copy of Jack M. Berry, Inc.`s motion to intervene filed.
Mar. 20, 2003 Order Consolidating Cases issued. (consolidated cases are: 03-000593GM, 03-000933GM)
Mar. 19, 2003 Initial Order issued.
Mar. 19, 2003 Petition for Formal Administrative Proceedings (filed via facsimile).

Orders for Case No: 03-000933GM
Issue Date Document Summary
Jun. 25, 2004 Agency Final Order
Feb. 24, 2004 Recommended Order Small scale amendment which changed use on land from residential to commercial conflicts with two other policies in the Plan and is inconsistent with the Plan and not in compliance.
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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