Planning board opens discussion on a ‘Good Neighbors’ development ordinance and asks staff for legal review

A planning‑board member introduced a draft “Good Neighbors” ordinance aimed at tightening rules for subdivisions — items such as stormwater protections, roads and sidewalks, lighting, buffers, and the timing of amenities — but city staff advised caution because two recent Florida laws change how local governments may regulate plats and impose new procedural requirements.

Planning board member Jonathan McKeenchaff described the draft as a tool to require infrastructure and amenities be completed or substantially advanced before certain occupancy or platting milestones, to improve stormwater and grading oversight, and to stop developers from leaving unfinished amenity promises to residents. He framed the draft as a response to resident complaints about flooding, failed silt controls and incomplete…