Council adopts two land-use ordinances: home-based business changes and targeted wetland/tree mitigation incentives

Summary

Port Orange council approved second readings of two ordinances: amendments to the land development code to conform home-based business rules to recent state law, and an ordinance creating additional incentives and fee adjustments related to wetlands, trees and gopher tortoise mitigation for targeted businesses.

The Port Orange City Council adopted two ordinances on second reading at the meeting.

The first ordinance amended the land development code to align local rules governing home-based businesses with recent state legislation (the transcript references amendments to conform to a state statute limiting local regulation of home-based businesses). The council voted by roll call; the second reading passed unanimously.

The council also approved an ordinance amending the land development code to create additional incentives related to permit fees and mitigation for wetlands, trees and gopher tortoises for targeted businesses. Council members said the change is designed to support economic development and cited the ordinance as a tool to attract projects that require environmental mitigation. The second reading passed by unanimous roll call vote.

Both ordinances include standard language providing for repeal of conflicting provisions, severability and effective date provisions. No members of the public spoke against either ordinance during the second readings.