Title:
title
Remedial Rezone of Public Parks and Libraries - Consider a Rezone from A-1 (Agriculture), A-5 (Rural), C-2 (Retail Commercial), PD (Planned Development), R-1 (Single-Family Dwelling District), R-1A (Single-Family Dwelling District), R-1AA (Single-Family Dwelling District), and R-2 (One- and Two-Family Dwelling District) to PLI (Public Lands and Institutions) for certain County owned and maintained Public Parks and Libraries to remove inconsistent zoning classifications and existing development entitlements and limit the allowable uses to those listed in PLI (Public Lands and Institutions), on approximately 482 total acres comprised of the following areas: BOOKERTOWN PARK, BOOMBAH SOLDIERS CREEK PARK, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, CS LEE PARK, CAMERON WIGHT PARK, JAMESTOWN PARK, KEWANNEE PARK, LAKE DOT PARK, LAKE JESUP PARK, LAKE MILLS PARK, LAKE WILDWOOD PARK, MIDWAY PARK, MULLET LAKE PARK, RED BUG LAKE PARK, ROSELAND PARK, SANLANDO PARK, SEMINOLE COUNTY SOFTBALL COMPLEX, SUNLAND PARK, SYLVAN LAKE PARK, WAYSIDE PARK AND BOAT RAMP, WINWOOD PARK AND COMMUNITY CENTER, AND JONES TRAILHEAD; (Z2026-22); (Richard Durr, Seminole County Parks and Recreation, Applicant); Countywide; (David German, Senior Planner)
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Agenda Category:
Public Hearing Items
Department/Division:
division
Development Services
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Authorized By:
Mike Rhodes, Development Services Director
Contact/Phone Number:
David German/407-665-7386
Background:
Seminole County has acquired sites for parks and recreation uses and libraries to support the needs of the community. Over time, as these sites have been acquired and built on, there has been a need to align the Future Land Use designations and Zoning classifications with the actual uses and services each site provides. Historically, the County has addressed the zoning as each site has come in for updated site plan approvals. Rather than addressing each site individually, the Parks and Recreation Department has requested to process all of the County-owned Parks and Recreation sites at the same time.
This project is a remedial action, which will amend the zoning for existing parks and library sites to expedite County required processes now and in the future. This project is one part of a two-part project for Parks and Recreation sites. The project was split into two items due to some sites requiring only a rezone and other sites requiring a rezone and Future Land Use Amendment. These projects are running concurrently with each other and will be presented at Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of County Commissioner Public Hearings at the same dates and times as two separate items due to the differing legislative requirements needed to enact each item.
This rezoning encompasses twenty-two (22) parks and recreation facilities, as shown on the Location Map in the agenda package. These facilities are located throughout Seminole County and serve the recreation needs of residents and visitors in many ways. For example, Wayside Park, allows residents access to the St Johns River and Lake Monroe, while Bookertown Park is a passive park and serves the historic Bookertown neighborhood in Sanford. Some of the parks also include large outdoor recreation facilities, such as Boombah Soldiers Creek Park, which has a series of six (6) baseball fields and a playground. Some sites, such as Deer Run and WB Equestrian, are not developed but are included in this package and have planned improvements for the surrounding communities. Altogether, these parks provide Seminole County residents many different recreation options and serve multiple communities across the county.
Currently, the subject properties have a variety of zoning districts, such as residential single-family, commercial, agricultural, and planned development which are not consistent with the intended use of parks and recreation. The Public Lands and Institutions (PLI) zoning district is the most appropriate for these sites since they all fall into the intended uses of the PLI District, those being “major public lands and major public and quasi-public institutional uses.”
Process
Rezonings proposed by a local government are subject to the County’s standard rezoning process, and additional requirements by the Florida Statutes. The request must be heard before the Planning and Zoning Commission for recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). Further, pursuant to Section 125.66(5)(b), F.S., since the County is initiating this rezoning request and the request is for property more than 10 acres in size, two public hearings before the Board of County Commissioners (“BCC”) is required.
Consistency with the Land Development Code
Consistency with Sec. 30.3.1.6 Conventional Rezonings:
The proposed PLI (Public Lands and Institutions) zoning designation has been evaluated for compatibility with the Seminole County Land Development Code in accordance with Chapter 30, Part 4.
The request is consistent with the Seminole County Land Development Code and the surrounding area. The proposed development supports the objectives of the PLI zoning designation. The Applicant meets the requirements for a conventional rezoning contained in Section 30.3.1.6 of the SCLDC as follows:
(1) Complies and is consistent with the County’s comprehensive plan.
Staff Analysis
The proposed rezonings are consistent with Comprehensive Plan policies related to the County providing for adequate park and recreation sites to support local communities. Policies REC 1.1 and REC 1.5 emphasize providing public park and preservation areas throughout Seminole County within a 10-20 minute drive to every County resident and preserving open space.
The subject properties are located within various residential communities and on major roads where residents across the County have access to public facilities. The proposed PLI zoning is compatible with the surrounding development pattern.
(2) Meets the SCLDC and other applicable County regulations.
Staff Analysis
The proposed rezoning to PLI (Public Lands and Institutions) meets the SCLDC Chapter 30, Part 4 because the requested district is consistent with the development pattern in supplying public facilities to residents. Furthermore, the PLI zoning classification aligns with existing or proposed Recreation Future Land Use designation.
(3) Is compatible with existing and planned uses in the surrounding area.
Staff Analysis
Parks and Recreation facilities are compatible with existing residential and community needs. A majority of sites involved in this rezone are currently recreational facilities or associated with park areas and support the greater community’s outdoor recreation activities.
(4) Will provide sufficient access to support the proposed development
intensity and the provision of public services.
Staff Analysis
All Parks and Recreation facilities have sufficient access to support the existing developments onsite and there are no planned changes or improvements associated with this rezoning which would change operation of the existing facilities. Public services are currently offered at these sites and there are no planned changes associated with this rezoning request to those ongoing operations.
(5) The expected impacts on transportation facilities will be addressed by
existing County regulations.
Staff Analysis
There are no additional transportation mitigation measures that are required at this stage of the rezone request.
(6) Will not adversely affect environmentally critical or sensitive areas and
natural resources.
Staff Analysis
There are no environmentally critical or sensitive areas which will be impacted by this remedial rezoning request.
(7) Has access to and will be served by an adequate level of public services such as sewer, water, police, fire, schools and related services.
Staff Analysis
The existing Parks and Recreation facilities operate with adequate levels of services for sewer, water, traffic, public safety and fire.
(8) Provides a benefit to the community by meeting Goals and Policies in the Comprehensive Plan.
Staff Analysis
Per Policy REC 1.1 of the Seminole County Comprehensive Plan, park and library facilities will be provided within 10-20-minute drive of all residents. This request meets this policy by ensuring that existing Parks and Recreation facilities operate consistent with their zoning designation and provide for recreation opportunities throughout the County.
Community Meeting
The project meets the Community Meeting Procedures of Section 30.3.5, as the Parks and Recreation Department held an in person and virtual Community Meeting on September 29, 2026, which was compliant with the Seminole County Land Development Code requirements. The community meeting information has been included in the agenda package.
Florida Statute Requirements:
The scope and timeline of this project are consistent with Section 125.66, Florida Statutes. This statute outlines the process for rezonings of properties initiated by the local government and requires two public hearings before the BCC. The statute also requires that at least one public hearing be held after 5pm on a weekday unless the Board of County Commissioners vote by a majority plus one to hold that meeting at a different time of day. Staff recommends the BCC consider voting to hold both public hearings at 1:30pm at regular scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting in the Board Chambers.
Requested Action:
Staff requests the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend to the Board of County Commissioners adoption of the Rezoning Ordinance using the following motion:
Based on Staff’s findings and the testimony and evidence received at the hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission finds the request meets the identified portions of the Seminole County Land Development Code and recommends the Board of County Commissioners adopt the Ordinance enacting a rezone from A-1 (Agriculture), A-5 (Rural), C-2 (Retail Commercial), PD (Planned Development), R-1 (Single-Family Dwelling District), R-1A (Single-Family Dwelling District), R-1AA (Single-Family Dwelling District), R-2 (One- and Two-Family Dwelling District) to PLI (Public Lands and Institutions) for certain County owned and maintained Public Parks and Libraries on approximately 482 total acres.