§ 138-3298. School, grades pre-K thru 12.

(a)

Purpose. Schools, grades Pre-K thru 12 shall include specific development standards to ensure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood in which they are located.

(b)

Applicability. The provisions of this section shall apply to new and expansions of schools, grades pre-K thru 12. For the purposes of this section, public schools shall include facilities operated by the Pinellas County School Board and/or operated as a charter school.

(c)

Standards.

(1)

Schools proposed by the school board.

a.

Nothing within this chapter shall prohibit the board of county commissioners from entering into an agreement with the county school board to establish a procedure for the review of site plans for compliance with the county's land development regulations, Stormwater Manual and consistency with the comprehensive plan. Such a procedure may include, but not be limited to, locational criteria (including the identification of zoning districts in which schools may be located), environmental requirements, safety requirements, health requirements, and the mitigation of off-site impacts and effects on adjacent property. The locational criteria of this chapter shall be superseded by the adoption of such an agreement.

(2)

Private schools of general or special education in residential districts:

a.

Specific standards and conditions to be determined during the associated type of review as identify by the zoning district.

(3)

New or expansions of public schools shall be reviewed and considered with the following general criteria:

a.

The proposed location is compatible with present and projected uses of adjacent property.

b.

The site area of the proposed location is adequate for its intended use based on the state requirements for educational facilities and provides sufficient area to accommodate all needed utilities and support facilities and allow for adequate buffering of surrounding land uses.

c.

Based on the five-year work program of the school board and the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan, there will be adequate public services and facilities to support the public educational facility.

d.

There are no significant environmental feature that would preclude development of a public educational facility on the site.

e.

There will be no adverse impact on archaeological or historic sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places or designated by a local government as locally significant historic or archaeological resources.

f.

The proposed location is well drained and soils are suitable for development or are adaptable for development and outdoor educational purposes with drainage improvements.

g.

The proposed location is not in conflict with the Pinellas County Stormwater Management Plan and any watershed management plans adopted by Pinellas County, if applicable.

h.

The proposed location is not in a velocity flood zone or a floodway.

i.

The proposed location can accommodate the required parking and anticipated queuing of vehicles onsite.

j.

The proposed location lies outside the area regulated by F.S. § 333.03(3), or as amended, regarding the construction of public educational facilities in the vicinity of an airport.

(4)

The following criteria shall also be used to evaluate whether proposed locations of specific types of schools are consistent with the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan:

a.

Elementary schools, special education facilities, and alternative education facilities:

1.

The proposed location shall have direct access to at least a collector road or as otherwise approved by the local government after determination of acceptable traffic impacts on adjacent roads of lesser classification.

b.

Middle schools:

1.

The proposed location shall have direct access to at least a collector road or as otherwise approved by the local government after determination of acceptable traffic impacts on adjacent roads of lesser classification.

2.

Outdoor recreational facilities and similar support facilities shall be located and buffered on the proposed site to minimize impacts on adjacent properties.

c.

High schools:

1.

The proposed location shall have direct access to at least a collector road, or as otherwise approved by the local government after determination of acceptable traffic impacts on adjacent roads of lesser classification.

2.

Stadiums, outdoor recreational facilities, and similar support facilities shall be located and buffered on the proposed site to minimize impacts on adjacent properties.

d.

Vocational-technical schools:

1.

The proposed location shall have direct access to at least a collector road, or as otherwise approved by the local government after determination of acceptable traffic impacts on adjacent roads of lesser classification.

2.

Industrial education facilities shall be located and buffered on the proposed site to minimize impacts on adjacent properties.

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