Osceola County Proposes Development Moratorium Of Three To Six Months To Implement Changes To Land Use Standards

On Monday, October 16, 2017, the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners voted (4-1) to direct County staff to draft a moratorium ordinance that would postpone County approval of new development applications for three to six months to allow the County staff time to revise the County’s land use standards. The moratorium would apply to any development application not already on the County Planning Commission meeting agenda for November 2, 2017 (however, the County Commission did discuss certain exceptions for applications regarding a natural resources amendment or qualified targeted industry project).

Changes to the County’s land use standards discussed by the County Commission include (i) implementing more restrictive building and street design standards; (ii) requiring County Commission approval for additional types of projects (such as site plans and noise ordinances); (iii) requiring time restrictions for large, mixed use developments; (iv) increasing mobility fees; (v) requiring up-front payment of mobility and impact fees; and (vi) creating additional sustainability standards (such as requiring solar panels).

A public hearing on the proposed moratorium will be held on Monday, November 6, 2017.