This Code shall be known as, cited as, and referred to as the Oakland Park Land Development Code. It may, in subsequent sections, be referred to as the LDC, or the Code.

(Ord. No. O-90-21, § 10, 10-17-90)

This Land Development Code is adopted pursuant to F.S. Ch. 163, Pt. II.

(Ord. No. O-90-21, § 10, 10-17-90)

The primary purpose of the LDC is the implementation of the Oakland Park Comprehensive Plan, as adopted pursuant to F.S. Ch. 163, Pt. II, and in accordance with Florida Administrative Code, 9J-5. The city commission deems it necessary to adopt the LDC for the following purposes:

(A)

Guiding and accomplishing coordinated and harmonious development in accordance with the existing and future needs of the city.

(B)

Protecting, promoting and improving the public health, safety, comfort, order, appearance, convenience and general welfare.

(C)

Conserving the value of land, buildings and resources, and protecting landowners from adverse impacts of adjoining developments.

(D)

Protecting the character and maintaining the stability of residential, business, industrial and public areas.

(E)

Promoting the orderly development of residential, business, industrial and public areas.

(F)

Achieving a single set of land development regulations that is as simple and user-friendly as possible but still able to achieve development regulation.

(G)

Directing and controlling, through the establishment of standards, the type, distribution and intensity of development.

(H)

Balancing the interest of the general public and that of individual property owners.

(I)

Mitigating potential risks to human safety, health and welfare, and reducing environmental degradation, that result from climate impacts including sea-level rise, intensified hurricanes and extreme heat.

(J)

Reducing the city's greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting efficient use of water and energy, in order to prevent additional climate change and environmental degradation.

(K)

Avoiding human-induced contamination or pollution of water, air and other natural resources.

(L)

Promoting equity among residents by paying particular attention to the needs of communities who are marginalized or who have been marginalized because of race, income level, age, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation.

(M)

Facilitating solutions-oriented partnerships between the city and other Florida municipalities, particularly on regional challenges including, but not limited to, transportation, conservation of natural areas, and water management.

(Ord. No. O-90-21, § 10, 10-17-90; Ord. No. O-2023-003, § 2, 7-19-23)

(A)

Interpretation.

(1)

In the interpretation and application of the LDC all standards, criteria and requirements shall be liberally construed in favor of the purposes and goals of Oakland Park and deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other lawful regulatory powers of the city.

(2)

Where this Code conflicts with or overlaps other regulations, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.

(3)

In the event that any question arises concerning the application of regulations, performance standards, definitions, development criteria or any other provision of this LDC, the director of engineering and community development shall be responsible for interpretation. The director shall rely upon the policies adopted or amended in the comprehensive plan in making any such interpretation.

(B)

Abrogation. This Land Development Code is not intended to repeal, abrogate or interfere with any existing easements, covenants or deed restrictions duly recorded in the public records of Broward County. The LDC is not intended to repeal any lawful approval by official city action of any site plan planned unit development or subdivision.

(Ord. No. O-90-21, § 10, 10-17-90; Ord. No. O-2008-035, § 2, 11-19-08)