Orange Park council adopts updated comprehensive plan after state review

The Town Council voted March 3 to adopt Ordinance 02‑26, an amendment to the town’s comprehensive plan (2040) required after state review and tied to recent legislative changes.

Town planning/executive staff (Steven Smith, Executive Director) told the council the state had flagged particular elements — notably language tied to Complete Streets — as more restrictive than state guidance; staff removed the specified lines per state direction and incorporated the water‑supply facilities work plan and other adjustments. Smith said parts of the plan were ‘grandfathered’ due to prior approvals but that the state’s review under Senate Bill 180 required targeted edits.

During the public hearing, residents such as Frank Ricketts urged the council to ensure the town’s planning choices preserved the ability to pursue available revenue streams and to include milestone tracking for plan implementation. Council members asked about monitoring and annual progress; staff said milestones and tracking spreadsheets are being compiled and would be used with Planning & Zoning and future council oversight.

The ordinance passed on a 5–0 vote. The council noted the change primarily removes or adjusts a small number of lines in response to state review rather than a wholesale rewrite.

Next steps: staff will monitor required milestones, bring updates to the Planning & Zoning Board and council, and maintain the comp plan materials and maps on the town website for public access.