Port Richey, Fla. — At its Nov. 25 meeting the Port Richey City Council advanced a package of land-development and administrative code updates on first reading.

Planner Tammy Verona presented Ordinance 25-7-37, which revises definitions in the land development code to add assisted living facility, congregate care and independent senior living and to revise community residential home and skilled nursing definitions. The ordinance also updates off-street parking ratios based on licensing and ITE trip-generation standards: examples presented included parking ratios of 1 space per 2 units (or 1 per 3 beds depending on licensing), staff parking on larger shifts, and 1 space per facility vehicle for certain uses. Verona said the Planning & Zoning Board recommended unanimous approval; staff found the ordinance consistent with Florida statute and the comprehensive plan. Council moved and carried the first reading; second reading is scheduled for Dec. 9.

Council also held first readings on Ordinance 25-7-38 (creating Article 8 for certified recovery residences as required by state law) and Ordinance 25-7-39 (amending plat and replat approvals to conform to legislative changes, including updating technical sheet sizes and copy requirements).

Why it matters: The parking and definition changes are intended to modernize the code, reduce unnecessary paved area, and support housing diversity and special‑needs housing options while aligning terminology with state statute. The recovery-residence ordinance implements state-mandated language for certification and local review processes.

Next steps: Ordinance 25-7-37 proceeds to a Dec. 9 second reading; staff will return proposed resolution language on recovery-residence rules and administrative implementation details as required.