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Port Orange adds discretionary permit‑fee and mitigation incentives for targeted businesses in redevelopment areas
Summary
The council approved a code amendment to allow the city to offer incentives such as permit‑fee reductions or mitigation assistance (wetlands, trees, gopher tortoises) to targeted businesses in two community redevelopment areas; such incentives would require a separate economic incentive agreement approved by council.
The Port Orange City Council voted to add an option in the land development code allowing the city to offer incentives, including reductions in permit fees and mitigation assistance, to targeted businesses seeking to develop or redevelop in designated community redevelopment areas (CRAs).
Tim Bergman, Community Development, told the council the amendment "allows that option to be put into the code" while making clear that the ultimate award of any fee or mitigation assistance would require a separately negotiated economic incentive agreement approved by the council.
Scope and safeguards
Council discussion described the proposal as a tool for the city’s two CRAs (Eastport and Town Center) to help move stalled parcels into development. Bergman said the city could still impose standards for parking, screening and aesthetics, and that incentives would be provided on a case‑by‑case basis. He and council members emphasized that any incentive package would return to the council as an economic incentive agreement for a public vote.
Gopher tortoise and mitigation costs
Council members raised mitigation costs as a practical example. Councilwoman Tracy and others said developers in Eastport have identified multiple gopher tortoises on parcels and estimated relocation and mitigation costs could be significant; one council member cited a rough developer estimate of about $80,000 to address a cluster of tortoises on a single tract. Council members discussed using CRA funds or other targeted incentives to reduce that barrier for redevelopment in areas where TIF revenue or other sources can support incentives.
Vote and next steps
Council moved and approved the first reading; staff said any developer seeking an incentive must present an economic incentive agreement that would come back to council for approval. Council members said they view the change as adding a tool to the CRA toolbox while keeping approval and specific terms subject to separate council action.
Ending note: Staff will present any incentive request as a discrete agenda item with a draft economic incentive agreement and financial analysis before council votes on whether to grant fee or mitigation assistance.
