Riviera Beach planning board holds workshop on Sunshine Law, public records and planning basics

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. At a training-focused workshop Jan. 29, the Riviera Beach Planning and Zoning Board reviewed Floridas Sunshine Law and public-records rules, heard a primer on local planning procedures and standards, and discussed an upcoming downtown height study. The meeting, held at the marina, included no public comments and no formal land-use approvals.

Attorney Lehi Tarcyvia, who introduced himself as an attorney practicing in Palm Beach County, led the Sunshine Law portion of the workshop. He told the board that members must avoid discussing official business among themselves outside of public meetings: "none of you can talk to each other, can communicate with each other about the business that happens here outside of here." He summarized core requirements: reasonable notice of meetings, written minutes open to inspection, and the publics right to attend meetings where official acts may be taken.

Tarcyvia described enforcement mechanisms and remedies, including attorneys-fee awards and the possibility that actions taken in violation of the law can be declared void. He also walked through public-records practice, advising board members to route documents to the city clerk, to acknowledge requests promptly, and to expect that large requests may require additional time or fees. "Respond and acknowledge it," he said, describing a recommended initial reply to a records requester.

Kurt Thompson, principal planner in current planning, gave an overview of the local planning process and the relationship between the comprehensive plan and the zoning code. He outlined how plats, rezoning requests and site plans are reviewed, noting that recent state law has shifted many plat approvals to administrative review and that the city uses licensed third-party surveyors and engineering reviewers for technical compliance.

Thompson described the role of the planning board as the local planning agency that reviews proposed comprehensive plan updates and future land-use map changes before they go to city council. He reviewed standards staff uses to evaluate rezoning requests and said site plans are examined for setbacks, landscaping, screening, open space and other conditions of approval.

Board members pressed staff on visual impacts and neighborhood compatibility. One member asked whether renderings show how a multi-building downtown project affects surrounding single-family areas; staff said applicants typically supply renderings and sometimes shadow studies so reviewers can assess scale, height and proximity. Staff also briefed the board on a forthcoming downtown overlay study with consultant Tyler Herring that will examine appropriate building heights in the CRA; staff said the study is scheduled to come before the board in spring (around April or May).

The board briefly discussed wider concerns about growth and scale in Riviera Beach, with several members saying they do not want large, out-of-scale development to overwhelm neighborhoods. Tarcyvia closed the training with a short refresher on Roberts Rules of Order to guide motions, seconds, debate and the chairs role in managing meetings.

Procedural items at the meeting were limited: the board adopted the meeting agenda by motion and vote at the start of the session, confirmed there were no minutes to approve and recorded that there were no public comment cards. Staff said the next Planning and Zoning Board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2026; the chair adjourned the workshop at 7:47 p.m.

Reporting note: quotes and procedural descriptions are taken from the boards Jan. 29, 2026 meeting transcript.