TITLE
title
Presentation of Draft Ordinance Amending Article VII of Chapter 28 of the Hernando County Code of Ordinances related to Groundwater Protection, Wellhead and Special Protection Areas and Draft Resolution Amending Location of Wellhead Protection Areas and Special Protection Areas Map
body
BRIEF OVERVIEW
On June 27, 1994, the Board of County Commissioners of Hernando County adopted Ordinance No. 94-8, which is codified as Article VII of Chapter 28 of the Hernando Code of Ordinances, entitled Groundwater Protection and Siting. Hydrogeological modeling was completed and adopted by the Board in 1994 to establish wellhead protection areas (WHPAs) and to ensure integrity and safety of Hernando County’s drinking water.
Hydraulic modeling was updated and recently confirmed in conjunction with the Potable Water Master Plan addendum performed earlier this year. The updates resulted in changes to the sizes and shapes of the WHPAs. As a result of these changes, the WHPAs may have new restrictions on the activities allowed within them.
It is the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Hernando County to amend and update the groundwater protection criteria for the existing and future potable water resources.
The revisions in this Ordinance include:
- Term Definitions
- Florida Administrative Code and Florida Statute reference updates
- United States Code reference updates
- Language clarification as necessary
As these revisions are land development regulations, the Planning and Zoning Commission has the opportunity to consider and provide feedback on the proposed changes prior to the public hearings adopting the Ordinance.
In addition to the Draft Ordinance, the Hernando County Utilities Department is recommending that the new locations of the WHPAs and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) be approved by Resolution. This resolution will allow for a more efficient method to update the WHPAs and SPAs from time to time as updated hydraulic and hydrogeological data is available, without requiring the Groundwater Protection Ordinance to be amended. These maps will be available at the Hernando County Utilities Department for public viewing.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
A matter of policy. There is no financial impact.
LEGAL NOTE
The Planning and Zoning Commission has the authority to consider this proposed ordinance and resolution in accordance with the Hernando County Code of Ordinances, Appendix A (Zoning), Article V (Administration), Section 5 (Planning and Zoning Commission).
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Planning and Zoning Commission consider the proposed Ordinance and Resolution and provide feedback on the proposed land development regulations for consideration by the Board of County Commissioners.