Naples council directs staff to remove DRB development‑order language, asks single DRB hearing with re‑review trigger

Naples City Council instructed staff to prepare ordinance language clarifying that Design Review Board (DRB) approvals do not constitute development orders and to bring a companion Planning Advisory Board (PAB) ordinance to the June 4 reading, after an extended workshop discussion about who should make final land‑use and design decisions.

The move follows months of council, staff and board debate over whether DRB decisions function as de facto development orders and whether the public has enough opportunities to comment on projects that affect traffic, stormwater and neighborhood character. City Attorney Matthew McConnell told council an April 3, 2024 ordinance already states DRB approvals “shall in no way provide a petitioner or property owner a vested property interest or development order,” but staff and several council members said inconsistent language remains elsewhere in the municipal code and DRB guidance materials.

Why this matters: council members said the process has created confusion for applicants and residents. Projects that meet code now commonly proceed through an…