St. Augustine commission approves lot-grading updates, designates Brownfield; parking fine increase moves to second reading

The St. Augustine City Commission on July 28 adopted a set of land-development code changes aimed at lot grading and flood-prone construction, unanimously approved a Brownfield designation for a Riberia Street property, advanced an ordinance to raise illegal parking fines to a second reading and tabled creation of a city environmental-impact award for additional refinement.

The lot-grading ordinance (Ordinance 2025-21) updates the zoning code and environmental protection chapters to clarify requirements for single-family and duplex lot grading, set grading standards tied to mapped elevation areas, emphasize erosion control and low-impact design, and create incentives for shoreline-compatible shoreline modifications and public access in commercial and multifamily projects. Amy Skinner, director of Planning and Building, presented the staff draft and said the changes respond to public input and Planning & Zoning Board recommendations. The motion to adopt the ordinance carried on second reading with unanimous roll-call approval.

Separately, the commission approved Resolution 2025-27 designating the 4044 Riberia Street parcel as…