Bradenton council adopts ordinance easing density rules in coastal high‑hazard urban core

The Bradenton City Council voted unanimously (5–0) to adopt Ordinance 4066, a text amendment to the comprehensive plan that clarifies and permits assignment of density bonuses within the urban‑core portion of the coastal high‑hazard area under a City Council‑approved development agreement.

Robin Singer, Planning and Community Development Director, explained that the ordinance cleans up prior amendments and specifically allows density bonuses in the urban‑core future land use designation inside the coastal high hazard area, while preserving Council control through the development‑agreement and future‑land‑use amendment process. Singer said the state reviewed the changes and offered no comments or objections during transmittal.

Council members asked staff to confirm safety-related review criteria. Members were reassured that any higher‑density proposal in the coastal high hazard area must be accompanied by evacuation planning and meet existing future‑land‑use amendment criteria; such projects must come before the Council for approval of the development agreement. Council discussed whether incentives would meaningfully encourage affordable units in waterfront developments; Singer said the provision preserves the option to include affordable units but does not guarantee them.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing. The Council found the ordinance consistent with state law and voted to approve Ordinance 4066 on second reading (roll call 5–0). The ordinance will take effect per standard adoption timing noted in the staff report.

The council’s action preserves Council oversight of density increases in high‑hazard zones while allowing staff and developers a clearer path to propose density bonuses attached to development agreements that show evacuation and resilience measures.