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Staff outlines comprehensive plan 'EAR' update; consultant work to be budgeted next year
Summary
City planning staff told the Planning Board the city must complete the seven‑year Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) for the comprehensive plan by January 2028 and will hire a planning consultant to assist in late 2026–2027.
Staff told the Cocoa Beach Planning Board that the city must update its comprehensive plan on a seven‑year schedule under Florida law and that the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) process will be initiated ahead of the January 2028 deadline.
A planning staff member said the update is required by Florida Statute Chapter 163 and that staff expects to engage a planning consultant to support data gathering, public workshops and drafting proposed policy language. Staff said the consultant would be budgeted in the fiscal year after the coming budget cycle and that consultant engagement is expected to begin about a year before formal EAR work begins.
Board members and staff emphasized the advisory role of the planning board: the board will hold public conversations, collect community feedback and make recommendations to the city commission, which would adopt plan changes through formal ordinance and land‑development regulation amendments if warranted.
Board members asked staff whether there are any known deficiencies that would force immediate changes; staff said no serious deficiencies were identified but cautioned that changes to state law sometimes force adjustments to local land‑development regulations rather than the comp plan itself. Staff also noted the board will be engaged during outreach and that the process is intended to reflect community aspirations.
Staff directed that outreach planning and consultant scope be returned to the board as the EAR schedule is refined.
