§ 138-64. Development review committee (DRC).

(a)

Establishment. The development review committee (DRC) is hereby established to review and act on certain development proposals in order to ensure compliance with this Code and the comprehensive plan. The DRC is established to provide a more collaborative technical review of site plans, subdivisions, waivers and administrative adjustment allowances, and other similar requests. The DRC is also established to provide technical recommendations to higher review authorities and boards.

(b)

Composition. The DRC shall be composed of designated county staff members.

(1)

The DRC shall include the development review services director or designee as chairperson.

(2)

The other DRC members shall be composed of staff representing technical knowledge in the following:

a.

Land use planning/urban design

b.

Civil engineering

c.

Utilities

d.

Roadways and transportation

e.

Environmental management/biology

f.

Public safety

g.

Economic development

(c)

Powers and duties. The DRC shall have the power and duties to review and approve the following development-related applications and requests:

(1)

Application/review types. The DRC shall have the authority to review and take action on any of the applications/requests designated to the Type 1—Path B review as listed in Table 138-77.

(2)

Adoption of procedural rules. The committee shall have the authority to adopt rules of procedure.

(3)

Other authority. The committee shall have authority to review and take action on such other matters as provided by this Code or as may be assigned by the board of county commissioners or county administrator.

(d)

DRC meeting requirements.

(1)

Record of proceedings.

a.

Records maintenance. All records of any proceeding before the committee shall be filed with the county.

b.

Official minutes. Minutes shall be kept in which applications, recommendations and all determinations or decisions of the committee shall be recorded.

c.

Application files. Application files shall be held and maintained by the county.

(2)

Schedule. The committee shall determine an appropriate meeting schedule to ensure that issues before the committee are reviewed in a timely manner.

(3)

Notice of meetings. Meeting shall be noticed pursuant to division 10 of this article.

(4)

Public meeting.

a.

All meetings of the committee shall be open to the public.

b.

Applications requiring quasi-judicial proceedings shall be subject to chapter 134, article I, division 2.

(5)

Quorum. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

(6)

Final determination. The final determination and/or recommendation to a higher board shall be based on adopted policies in the comprehensive plan, state and federal law and the Pinellas County Code. The committee shall reach their final determination through consensus amongst the members.

(e)

Equitable and reasonable code application. The DRC shall apply all code standards in a manner that is fair, equitable, reasonable, and furthers the intent of the land development code, comprehensive plan, and aligns with the county's strategic plan(s).

(1)

The DRC may allow for minor adjustments and/or general code interpretations when it is determined that strict application of the Code requirements would:

a.

Create an inequitable/unreasonable situation;

b.

Stifle innovative/creative design; and/or

c.

Create undue hardship when applied to a specific project/development.

(2)

Any DRC action that applies minor adjustments and/or code interpretation(s) should include the following:

a.

The determination shall not be contrary to requirements of law or the general policies of the Code;

b.

Interpretations pertaining to zoning standards shall be conducted consistent with division 4 of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 18-36 , § 3(Att. B), 10-23-18)