Staff briefs planning commission on required evaluation–appraisal report and likely 2050 planning horizon

City planning staff briefed the planning commission on the city’s upcoming evaluation–appraisal report (EAR) required under Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, and said the city must submit a letter to the state by Oct. 1, 2025.

Sean, planning staff, told commissioners the requirement is periodic and arises from state statute. He said the city adopted a 2035 comprehensive plan in August 2023 that was compliant with statutes in place at that time, but that the city must now update population projections using professionally accepted methodology and extend the planning horizon to 20 years — effectively converting the plan to a 2050 planning horizon. Sean said the city has one year to adopt any required changes identified in the EAR after the letter is submitted.

Sean told the commission there is no required action by the planning commission on the EAR letter; staff will provide the commission a copy of the letter sent to the state at the September meeting and commissioners will review any proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan when they are formally presented, likely in mid to late next year. The transcript records a proposed meeting date check: the commission’s next scheduled meeting was Sept. 2 (the day after Labor Day) and staff asked whether a quorum would be available; several commissioners confirmed they would attend.

Staff referenced a prior EAR submitted in February 2018 and noted the state then — the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity — found that earlier submission sufficient. No formal action or vote was taken by the commission during the briefing.