Commission adopts Land Development Code change to reflect state law requiring administrative approval of final plats

The Planning Commission on Sept. 11 approved an amendment to the Manatee County Land Development Code that replaces references to board approval of final plats and replats with administrative approval, reflecting changes in Florida law enacted by Senate Bill 784 that took effect July 1.

Planner Elizabeth Shulman presented the county-initiated text amendment (LDC 25-08 / Ordinance 25-42) and said the change simply revises code language so the county’s regulations conform with the state statute requiring administrative approval of final plats and replats. Shulman said staff requested the ordinance to codify the change implemented earlier by Resolution R-25-151.

Commissioners asked whether staff had prepared an internal standard operating procedure for how administrative approvals, bond acceptance and recordation will be processed. County staff and counsel said the county administrator will have delegated administrative authority; staff and the clerk’s office have coordinated procedures since mid-June for recordation and bond handling. The County Attorney’s Office confirmed coordination between departments as the new statute took effect.

The commission approved the text amendment 6-0.

What the change means

Per staff, the county administrator will exercise delegated authority to administratively approve final plats and replats; the county clerk will continue to be involved in recording and bond administration. The text amendment aligns local code with state statute and formalizes procedures that staff said have already been implemented by resolution and internal coordination.