Santa Rosa County LDC task force elects leaders, limits live public comment and sets schedule

The Land Development Code Task Force, a citizen advisory committee to the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, organized its membership at a first meeting and set its operating rules, a schedule and initial deliverables.

The panel elected Carmen Reynolds as chair and Mike Patterson as vice chair, agreed to meet every other Friday at 8:30 a.m. going forward, and unanimously adopted a limit on live public comment of 20 minutes per meeting with a three-minute cap per speaker, members said Friday. The panel is charged with reviewing chapters 3 and 4 of the county’s Land Development Code (LDC) and delivering a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners by a May deadline.

Task force members said the group will rely on staff and outside technical experts where needed and will accept continuous written public input through an online comment form. Jared Lowe, assistant county administrator, told the panel that written materials and emails submitted about the LDC are public records and warned members, “you now live in a glass house,” underscoring the Sunshine Law and public-records requirements that apply to the advisory body.

Why it matters: The task force will review LDC sections that affect floodplain management, land clearing, erosion and subdivision rules. Changes could affect builders, farmers, environmental groups and…