SEMINOLE – The Seminole City Council voted unanimously June 10 to approve an ordinance that updates the future land use element of the city’s comprehensive plan as required by the state’s Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Act.
Seminole Community Development Director Mark Ely told councilors there were three primary changes allowing for mixed use in redevelopment, upgraded standards for residential density and prohibition of increased residential densities in the Coastal High Hazard Area.
The measures passed on a first reading Feb. 26 and were recently approved by the state’s Department of Community Affairs.
The upgrades in density apply to seven residential zoning levels, commercial general and activity center/secondary, allowing for an increase of 2.3 to 3.0 beds per dwelling unit.
According to the Department of Community Affairs, the coastal high-hazard area is the area seaward below the elevation of the Category 1 storm surge line as established by the Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes computerized storm surge model. It includes all land within the area, regardless of elevation, from the mean low water line to the inland extent of the Category 1 storm surge area.
Residential areas affected in Seminole are north, east and west of Long Bayou.
