Neighborhood Meetings for Conditional Rezoning Requests

Instructions for Neighborhood Meetings

Prior to the notice period for a conditional rezoning public hearing (25 days prior to the hearing date), the applicant must conduct at least one (1) neighborhood meeting in accordance with the following conditions:

The applicant is required to notify the following groups and individuals:
   ○ The City of Sanford / Lee County Planning Department
   ○ All property owners abutting and within 100 feet of the subject property; all tenants within 100 feet of the subject property (mailed to addressed structures
       within 100 feet).
   ○ Any neighborhood association that represents citizens in the notification.
   ○ Notice shall be sent via first class mail a minimum of 10 days in advance of the neighborhood meeting, not including the day of mailing.

The Neighborhood Meeting must be held within the following timeframes:
   ○ The meeting must be held for a minimum of two (2) hours, Monday through Thursday, during the 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. time period. The meeting cannot be 
       held on holidays recognized by the City of Sanford.
   ○ The meeting shall be held at a place that is generally accessible to neighbors that reside in close proximity to the land subject to the application. In addition,
       the meetings may also be made available online through interactive online video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, WebEx, or other
       similar platforms.

The following materials must be included for those attending the neighborhood meetings:
   ○ A vicinity map and preliminary plans of the proposed development. Neighbors may request emailed/mailed copies of the maps or plans from the applicant
      and the applicant shall provide reduced copies upon request. For meetings with a virtual attendance option, the applicant must ask meeting participants if
      they would like any materials emailed or mailed to them.
   ○ An agenda explaining the rezoning process, future meetings, and the development proposal (uses and conditions of the rezoning, site layout, builder or end
      user if known/public knowledge).

The following materials must be submitted to the City of Sanford for verification purposes:
   ○ A copy of the letter mailed to the Planning Department, neighbors, and any neighborhood organizations.
   ○ A list of those persons and neighborhood organizations invited to the meeting and a copy of the sign-in sheet used to track attendance.
   ○ A summary of the meeting and a list of any changes made to the project as a result of the neighborhood comments. 
   ○ One (1) reduced copy of the maps and/or plans included in the invitation and presented to the neighbors at the Neighborhood Meeting.
   ○ An affidavit, signed, dated, and notarized certifying that all the above requirements have been met.
   ○ All materials must be submitted prior to the notice period for the public hearing (25 days prior to the public hearing date).