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Naples council adopts revised design review handbook after heated debate
Summary
After months of public workshops and a contentious public hearing, the City Council voted 4-3 to approve an updated Design Review Board (DRB) handbook, setting new guidance for design reviews while prompting residents and some council members to call for further changes on resilience, process and appeal rights.
Naples City Council narrowly approved a revised Design Review Board handbook on a 4-3 vote Thursday after more than an hour of public comment and council debate over the document’s scope and enforceability.
The handbook, described by Planning Director Eric Martin as a full update to guidance last revised in 2004, won final approval despite objections from residents and several council members that it reduces mandatory language and weakens the DRB’s ability to require compatible design. Council members who voted for the handbook said it brings badly needed clarity and modern standards for designers and applicants.
The handbook replaces an outdated guide and moves technical design criteria into the city code, Martin told the council. “This is an all-new proposal,” he said, noting the document went through workshops with the design community and multiple design review board meetings. After council requested edits in December,…
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