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Page 8 -- November 25. 2004 Z.B. Moratorium -- Ci~ suspends development applications for nine months Developer sues for daraages from 'unnecessary' act Citation: WCt Communities [nc. v. City of Coral Springs, Court of Appeal of Florida, 4th Dist., No. 4D03-190! (2004) FLORr23A (09/29/04) -- WCI Communities [nc. wanted to develop and market townhouses within the City of Coral Springs. However, the city had 'enacted a nine-month temporary moratorium on the processing of site plan applications for townhouse and multifamily develop- ments. Consequently, WCI could not use its land for muttifamily development or sell it to others for such development during this period. WCI sued, arguing it had a reasonable expectation of selling its muttifamily properties to customers because its properties were properly planned, zoned, and platted io meet all existing city requirements.iThe court ruled in favor of the city. WCI appealed, arguing the moratorium was unnecessary and had a nega- tive financial impact upon its business. DECISION: Affirmed. The city was entitled to enact the moratorium. During the moratorium period, the city undertook a comprehensive review of its regulations and enacted changes pertaining to multifamily development. The city made changes to setbacks, building lengths, partcing, utilities, side- walks, right-of-way widths, landscaping,' and other concerns. The moratorium was designed to aid the city in making changes to the regulations. The city used the moratorium as a rea}onable [and-use tool to promote effective planning and preserve the status quo during the reconfiguring of the local land-use [aw. Furthermore, by using the moratorium, the city prevented development inconsistent with the pending changes to developmental regulations. Conse- quently, the court concluded the moratorium clearly served a legitimate govern- mental purpose of creating better quality housing. see also: Gary v. City of Warner Robins, 311 F3d I334 '2002). :.::' :': Presented: b5 "c0i~t~rence,-2- D~scfi:0tion:: Tli:is:~. direct, ion:. in. many stare and:. fede~Mi ~ sessions .v~tl~ be' tkis year'h' b[ocRbu~tez case: .. court, decided, a condemnation'- cann ~, 5., us : de~,eiopment, One: of Ross,: w-iI~ be a speaker at the! evegt,:2 ~ .... b,/Bruce: Kramer. w.itI also be, feam~eff, ' '. - "' ':'": :'"' '"' 5,2sit ............ ~.~a',, ,:r,, ,2; call: ~<9.72)" 2~t4-3~13~ for more:iinforrna~ii~n;. ' ' 92