Council adopts Ordinance 15-53 on traffic separators; opens several zoning items for quasi-judicial hearings

The Live Oak City Council accepted the final reading of Ordinance 15-53 and approved it on the floor. The ordinance, read aloud by city staff, was described as creating a new section in chapter 26 titled "pedestrian prohibited in traffic separators," providing for civil citations, a severability clause and repeal language.

An unnamed staff member explained the requirements for quasi-judicial zoning hearings as the council previewed the public-hearing process for several zoning ordinances (items 6(d) through 6(g)). That official said council decisions on those matters must be based on evidence presented at the hearing, including agenda materials, planning-board recommendations and sworn testimony, and must not rely on information outside the hearing record. The staff member cited Florida statute on ex parte communications and emphasized the applicant—ears the initial burden to prove consistency with the comprehensive plan.

On Ordinance 15-53, a councilmember moved to accept the final reading, another seconded, and the measure was announced as passed on final reading. The clerk read that the ordinance was approved; the meeting record does not capture a full roll-call tally beyond several named yes votes and an announcement that the ordinance was adopted.

Why it matters: Ordinance 15-53 creates an enforceable code provision restricting pedestrian use of traffic separators and authorizes civil citations for violations, which may affect pedestrian routing and enforcement in areas of the city that feature traffic separators. The council's decision to handle subsequent zoning items in quasi-judicial format sets the rules for evidence and testimony those applicants must meet.

The council opened the floor to public testimony on the upcoming quasi-judicial items and noted speakers would be limited to three minutes; those hearings were to proceed later in the agenda.