COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Staff Report
DATE:
January 31, 2008
TO:
Local Planning Agency/Planning and Land Development Regulation
Board
FROM:
Community Development Department
SUBJECT:
Amendments to the Conservation and Coastal Management Element,
the Glossary, and the Future Land Use Map to reflect the new
definition of Coastal High-Hazard Area
I. INFORMATION SUMMARY
A. FILE NO.: CP-TXT-08-03
B. REQUESTED ACTION:
Amend the Conservation and Coastal Management Element, Policy 6.2.4.1, the Glossary,
and the Future Land Use Map to reflect the new definition of Coastal High-Hazard Area
(CHHA) as established by State of Florida House Bill 1359.
II. BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS:
A. OVERVIEW AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS:
In 2006, the Florida Legislature approved House Bill 1359 (HB 1359). The bill defines
the coastal high-hazard area as the area below the elevation of the category 1 storm surge
line as established by a Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH)
computerized storm surge model. The bill requires local governments to amend their
Future Land Use Map and Coastal Management Element to include the new definition of
coastal high hazard area and to depict the coastal high hazard line on the future land use
map.
In 1998, the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council now known as the Northeast
Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) prepared the 1998 Hurricane Evacuation Study for
Northeast Florida in cooperation with the Florida Department of Community Affairs
(FDCA), the National Hurricane Center, and the local municipalities in the northeast
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Florida region. As part of the study, the NEFRC prepared SLOSH storm surge maps for
the region. The map atlas produced by NEFRC is the best available data and the accepted
result for identifying the category 1 storm surge line. Staff intends to use the 1998 study
to determine the coastal high hazard line.
B. DATA AND ANALYSIS:
Conservation and Coastal Management Element amendment
Conservation and Coastal Management Element Policy 6.2.4.1 along with the Glossary
section will be amended to reflect the new definition of coastal high-hazard area as
required by HB 1359. The proposed amendment is as follows:
Policy 6.2.4.1
The City shall ensure that Coastal High Hazard Area shall coincide with the Category 1
hurricane evacuation zone as defined in the most current evacuation study by the
NEFRPC.
The City shall identify the Coastal High Hazard Area as the area below the elevation of
the Category 1 storm surge line as established by a Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from
Hurricane (SLOSH) computerized storm surge model prepared by the Northeast Florida
Regional Council as part of the latest Hurricane Evacuation Study.
Glossary
Coastal High Hazard
Areas Also HighHazard Coastal Areas
The evacuation zone for a Category 1 hurricane as
established in the regional hurricane evacuation study
applicable to the local government.
The area below the elevation of the category 1 storm surge
line as established by a Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from
Hurricanes (SLOSH) computerized storm surge model as
prepared by the Northeast Florida Regional Council as part
of the latest Hurricane Evacuation Study.
Future Land Use Map
The Future Land Use Map will be amended to include the CHHA as identified in the
latest Northeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study. The area covered by the CHHA is
generally the area of the City in the “C” section east and north of Palm Harbor Parkway
and east of Florida Park Dr.
C. SUPPORTING GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES:
The proposed amendment is consistent with the requirements of HB 1359.
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D. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
Amend Policy 6.2.4.1 of the Conservation and Coastal Management Element, the
Glossary, and the Future Land Use Map to reflect the new definition of coastal highhazard area.
III. RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend approval to the City Council of Application CP-TXT-08-03, Comprehensive
Plan Amendments to reflect new definition of coastal high-hazard area.
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