Council approves reductions to subdivider completion bonds for Seagrass and Seacove plats

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The City Council approved two resolutions Wednesday reducing the subdivider completion bonds for two phases of new subdivisions after staff said nearly all required public improvements were complete.

Zoning official Rachel Berry told the council that the Seagrass phase 1 improvements are 97.62% complete and the Seacove subdivision improvements are 96.15% complete. The council approved reductions in the subdivider’s completion bonds to reflect remaining work tied to sidewalks and detectable warning strips at intersections, items Berry said are being completed as homes are built to avoid damage from construction traffic.

Nut graf: The council acted to reduce the financial assurance required of the developer because the majority of public improvements are complete; the reductions lower the bond amounts to cover the remaining items while allowing the plats to proceed toward final recording steps.

Public comment included concerns about developer practices and about longer‑term maintenance obligations for private roads and community development district (CDD) arrangements. Berry said the city’s chapter 28 does not set a fixed timeline for maintenance obligations and staff may propose code amendments addressing timelines at a later date. Council approved the bond reductions by voice vote.