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Fort Myers environmental board debates code changes to promote pervious driveways and incentives
Summary
Board members reviewed proposed updates to City Code chapter 134 (surface materials) to expand approved pervious paving options (permeable pavers, plastic grid systems, stabilized aggregate), add performance and maintenance standards, and explore incentives such as stormwater fee reductions and expedited review.
Board members discussed potential revisions to City Code chapter 134, article 3, to broaden permissible driveway and surfacing materials and to encourage pervious options.
Environmental compliance manager Mahone shared documents the board received before the meeting and framed the discussion as a comparison of alternatives. One board member suggested explicitly listing acceptable pervious pavement systems and maintaining a public list of approved materials and installation standards so applicants and reviewers have clear expectations.
A board member proposed language to add permeable interlocking concrete pavers, plastic grid systems with appropriate infill and stabilized aggregate to the code, subject to structural and infiltration design requirements and an operation-and-maintenance plan for installations exceeding a threshold area. The board also discussed possible incentives, including partial impervious-area credits in the city's stormwater manual, fee waivers, expedited review and reduced stormwater connection fees where on-site infiltration is provided.
Members asked for examples and asked staff to circulate marked-up drafts; staff agreed to accept suggested edits and to provide a highlighted version showing changes. The board agreed to emphasize pervious options in recommended text and to discuss details further at future meetings or during the comp-plan update process.
Next steps: Board members will circulate proposed language and edits to staff and the clerk; the city will publish materials and the board will consider formal recommendations following staff review and any necessary engineering guidance.
