On Dec. 2 the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council approved Ordinance 2025‑21 on first reading, moving plat approvals from quasi‑judicial council review to an administrative process to comply with a state statute requiring administrative plat reviews. Town attorney Jeff Kurtz explained the change is intended to implement statutory timing requirements and to make the town’s code consistent with state law.

Council members pressed for firm language ensuring administrative approvals cannot override a council‑approved site plan. Council also asked that the ordinance reference the state statute’s timing deadlines (30‑ and 60‑day review windows) so applicants and staff understand automatic‑approval timelines. Staff agreed to add clarifying language and to return the ordinance for second reading with the amended procedural language; the first reading passed on a 5–0 vote.

Why this matters: the change responds to a state law shift but the council insisted on guardrails so administrative plat approvals conform to any previously adopted site plan conditions and to protect the council’s role for larger or substantive site-plan decisions.