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BOOK hJ PAGE The proposed amendment would provide the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board greater flexibility when considering appropriate setbacks for proposed school buildings. Although the county has not reviewed a great number of applications for proposed schools, it has reviewed schools that have a significant enrollment (e.g. over 300 students) on relatively large sites (e.g. over 20 acres). However, staff anticipates that, with the projected growth of the county and the advent of charter schools, the county will be reviewing more proposals for smaller schools on smaller "urban" sites. An example is St. Peter's school which currently has an enrollment of about 98 students on a 2.53 acre RM -10 zoned site that includes a church and daycare center. Furthermore, it is anticipated that schools may be proposed in a greater variety of locations, including higher density residential and non-residential zoning districts. The proposed LDR amendment would provide criteria more appropriate for smaller "neighborhood" scale school facilities, as well as for schools in more urban, higher density environments and on sites adjacent to non-residential uses. Based on the wide variety of zoning districts in which schools are allowed, the development form of a proposed school facility can vary greatly. For example, schools built within agricultural and lower density residential areas could be built on larger parcels with a large open space, campus type of design (e.g. St. Edward's, Fust Church of God). Schools built in higher density areas such as the RM -8, RM -10, or commercial zoning districts would be built within a denser environment on smaller parcels of land, where a reduction in the 100' setback would be appropriate. The proposed LDR amendment allows the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board to take these factors into account. Within the City of Vero Beach, an area which has a more urban type of setting than suburban areas of the county, the minimum setback for schools located within single-family districts is 25'. Thus, the 25' setback is consistent with a more urban, higher density environment (e.g. St. Helen's school). Under the proposed LDR amendment, neither the Planning and Zoning Commission nor the Board could reduce a school building setback to less than 25' under any circumstances. This 25' setback is equal to or greater than the standard rearyard and frontyard setbacks in the county's residential districts, and is consistent with the City of Vero Beach's school setback. Under the proposed LDR amendment, the setback could not be reduced below 50' when the proposed school project site is adjacent to a non-residential use on either single-family zoned property or a lower density multi- family zoned site. Also, the proposed amendment retains the 100' setback where a school abuts a residential or agricultural use (e.g. St. Edward's, First Church of God). These IDR changes are covered in item 10 of the attached ordinance (see attachment #5). RECObD4ENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the proposed LDR amendments ordinance regarding plan set submittal/resubmittal requirements and school setback allowances. ATTACHMENT: 1. Memo from Fire Bureau 2. Request from St. Peter's Charter School 3. LDR Excerpts 4. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes 5. Proposed LDR Amendments Ordinance 6. Housing Impact Analysis MAY 099 2000