City of LaBelle

The meeting agenda included several public hearings concerning proposed ordinances. Key discussions involved Ordinance 2020-02, 2020-03, and 2020-04 relating to the Voluntary Annexation, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and Planned Unit Development Rezone for a 2+/- acre parcel located north of SR 80 and east of Huggetts Road. Another public hearing addressed proposed Ordinance 2020-05, a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the 56+/- acre parcel known as Wheeler Grove, situated south of SR 80 and east of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

The meeting involved public hearings for two proposed ordinances. The first concerned a rezoning request for the property at 82 W. Hickpochee Avenue from Downtown Business District -- Downtown General to Downtown Business District -- Downtown Center to permit a tattoo parlor in an existing commercial building. The second public hearing addressed the adoption of a Private Property Rights Element into the Comprehensive Plan, in compliance with new Florida legislation. Staff recommended approval for both the rezoning request, finding consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, and the text amendment for the Private Property Rights Element.

The meeting included public hearings on a proposed parking fee ordinance and a Seay setback variance. Non-public hearing items for consideration included an RVi proposal, a Wheeler easement agreement, Belle Arbor re-plat #4, Ben Moore Pulte/Caloosa Cove plat and HOA documents, and resolutions for Clean Water and Drinking Water SAHFI SRF loans. The consent agenda included approval of the May check register and staff reports from various city departments. City-related business by commissioners was also discussed.

The meeting focused on the Old Florida RV Resort project, its utility needs, and the city's overall utility capacity. Discussions included the project's water and sewer requirements, the need for utility line extensions, and potential funding mechanisms such as Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and partnerships with Hendry County. The city's options for addressing utility capacity issues were also explored, including selling the sanitary sewer plant, seeking an outside operator, conducting a system assessment, or continuing internal efforts. The meeting concluded with decisions to advertise RFQs for operations and maintenance of utilities, RFPs for water and sewer master plans, and authorization for staff to coordinate with the county on a developer's agreement for the RV resort project.

The meeting included an open discussion on the Water/Ways grant sign, public hearings on proposed ordinances (2022-05 and 2022-06), and a review of the LDC Amendment Review Criteria. Discussions also covered community development block grants (CDBG), a planned unit development, approval of vouchers and bills, minutes from previous meetings, staff reports from various departments (Fire Chief, HCSO, City Planner, Finance Director, Building Official, Code Enforcement, IT and Project Management, and Woodard & Curran), and old business items such as Recreation Board discussions and special events fees and procedures. General correspondence included proposed noise ordinance changes. Business was conducted by commissioners, including discussions on various topics.