BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA

PCM130104 Timberlane Road near the Market District
Market Square Placemaking project (Attachment #4). This proposed sidewalk would provide a
means for residents and visitors to access the subject property and the other similar properties
east and west of the subject property by foot. Bicycle lanes have also been proposed by local
government along Timberlane Road. However, funding for this project, and the sidewalk, has not
yet been identified.
Local Government Priorities
The Market Square Placemaking project is an effort to bring existing shopping centers, offices,
neighborhoods, and apartments that comprise this urban node into a more coherent district with
improved road, sidewalk, and trail connections, and other local activities and events intended to
build a stronger identity and sense of place. As part of this effort, local property owners,
residents, businesses, and Planning Department staff have met to create an action plan and a list
of infrastructure projects intended to foster more physical connections and travel mode choices
for increased accessibility. This proposed land use amendment is consistent with this planning
project in that it is within easy walking and bicycling distance of the Market Square area, and is a
part of this district.
The Leon County Board of County Commissioners’ FY 2012 & FY 2013 Strategic Plan directs
the County to implement economic initiatives and implementing strategies that encourage the
highest quality sustainable development, business expansion, and redevelopment opportunities.
These initiatives include the identification of revisions to future land uses which expand
opportunities to promote and support economic activity. This proposed land use amendment is
consistent with this Plan in that it promotes and supports economic activity.
The 2012-2013 update to the Tallahassee – Leon County Greenways Master Plan includes a
proposed greenway composed of three shared use paths or trails that connect the Timberlane
Greenway north to Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, and to the Meridian Greenway, the
Market Square commercial district, the Village Commons Shopping Center, and the Maclay
Hammock neighborhood. These trails will use a combination of utility easements on private land
and publicly owned property, including road rights of way and greenway land acquisitions
acquired for multiple purposes, including trail connections.
H. CONCLUSION:
Based upon the above data and analysis, Planning Department staff concludes the following:
1. The proposed land use change for the 34 subject properties will eliminate the legal
nonconforming land uses created at the time of adoption of the Comprehensive Plan,
which supports and furthers the intent of Land Use Objective 1.5.
2. The developed parcels do not meet the criteria for Lake Protection as established in Land
Use Policy 2.2.18.
3. The existence and likely future redevelopment of these parcels provide employment,
service, and shopping opportunities within walking distance of nearby residential areas.
4. Given the frontage along Timberlane Road and the existing and surrounding land uses,
these parcels would likely be found undesirable for redevelopment as single-family
residences over the planning horizon.
Page 462 of 622 Posted at 5:00 p.m. on April 1, 2013
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Attachment #5
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