Dade City passes recovery‑residence procedures and loosens appraisal rules; both measures pass 4‑0

The Dade City Commission unanimously approved two ordinances in its Dec. 9 meeting, adopting a locally required review process for certified recovery residences and revising the city’s appraisal and land‑acquisition thresholds.

Commissioners approved Ordinance 2025‑21, which establishes local review procedures and a mechanism for owners or operators to request reasonable accommodations for certified recovery residences as required by Florida Statutes §397.487. Miss Bushey, a city planning/economic‑development staff member, told the commission the statute requires local governments to adopt procedures by Jan. 1, 2026 and said staff will accept complete applications, review them within 60 days, and provide options including partial or conditional approval. “As part of the process, staff has 60 days to review the complete application, and it could be approved, approved partially, approved conditionally, or denied,” Bushey said. She added that applicants have 30 days to appeal a denial to the commission, which then has 45 days for a final decision.

Planning board members recommended the ordinance on Dec. 3 and asked staff to return with language evaluating a buffer zone that would exclude recovery residences around schools. Commissioner Church said he supported adoption to meet the statutory deadline but requested a standard operating procedure reviewed and approved by the city attorney to ensure the staff analysis complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act. Staff told the commission the ordinance would be adopted on first reading and brought back with more specifics to the planning board in February.

The commission then approved Ordinance 2025‑23 to amend chapter 2 of the city code to align appraisal requirements and the city manager’s authority with state law. Under the change, two appraisals will be required only for acquisitions of $500,000 or more (the current local code required two appraisals at $50,000 or more), and the city manager would be authorized to acquire real property interests valued at $50,000 or less. City Manager Van Ervin said the existing, stricter city rule had added expense and delays to projects such as Morningside Drive acquisitions; the ordinance would remove an unnecessary barrier while keeping oversight for larger transactions.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2025‑21 (certified recovery residences): motion moved by Mayor Pro Tem Woodard; second not specified in the record. Roll call: Mayor Black — Aye; Commissioner Church — Aye; Commissioner Cosentino — Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Woodard — Aye. Outcome: carried 4‑0 (first reading, second reading scheduled in January). - Ordinance 2025‑23 (appraisal/land‑acquisition thresholds): motion moved by Commissioner Constantine; seconded. Roll call: Mayor Black — Aye; Commissioner Church — Aye; Commissioner Cosentino — Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Woodard — Aye. Outcome: carried 4‑0 (first reading).

What happens next: Staff will return the recovery‑residence ordinance with planning‑board input (including any proposed school buffer language) and proceed to a second reading in January so the city meets the statutory timeline. The appraisal‑threshold amendment will continue through its statutorily required readings.

Meeting context and turnout: The ordinance discussions were part of a wider meeting that included ceremonial swearing‑in of officers, a DAR presentation, department updates and public comments about holiday events.