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Board recommends changes to plat process and creates urban infill redevelopment option to speed redevelopment
Summary
The board recommended approval of Ordinance 30‑2025 to bring plat/replat procedures into compliance with Senate Bill 784, designate the planning director as the final plat authority, and add an urban infill redevelopment conditional use to allow flexibility for small or irregular parcels; members asked about contingencies, flood/underutilization
The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of Ordinance 30‑2025, which revises plat and replat procedures and establishes an Urban Infill Redevelopment Program to encourage redevelopment of vacant, small or underutilized parcels.
Planning Director Jordan Smith told the board the ordinance implements requirements of Florida Senate Bill 784 and clarifies approval authority: the planning director will be the final approval authority for plats and replats, the Development Review Committee (DRC) will make recommendations, and the planning and zoning board and city commission retain authority over rezoning, conditional uses and variances. City commission approval for plats and replats is removed from the process.
The ordinance also adds an Urban Infill Redevelopment Program (new §704205) that allows case‑by‑case flexibility for redevelopment projects that demonstrate superior design and a measurable public benefit. Project criteria include compatibility with adjacent uses, parking solutions, architectural guidelines, public facilities adequacy, compliance with St. Johns River Water Management District requirements, and that the property meet multiple indicators of slum/blight as defined in Florida Statute Chapter 163 when applicable. The citizen awareness and participation notification distance for neighborhood meetings was increased from 300 to 500 feet.
Board members questioned contingencies should the director be unavailable, due diligence to confirm a parcel is underutilized for reasons other than flooding or environmental constraints, and whether projects would be reviewed consistently. Staff said contingencies and detailed review would be implemented in administrative procedures and that each project would be considered on a case‑by‑case basis under nine qualifying factors in the ordinance; staff noted roughly 1,500 single‑family infill lots were previously mapped and that the program would address both residential and commercial situations.
Member Northey moved to recommend the City Commission approve Ordinance 30‑2025; the motion passed by roll call with all members voting yes. The ordinance returns to the commission for action on its regular schedule.
