Palm Coast proposes stronger species protections and cultural-resource survey rules

City staff proposed several changes to protect listed species and cultural resources in Chapter 10 of the Land Development Code during the Nov. 12 workshop.

On wildlife, the draft would require preliminary gopher‑tortoise surveys for existing single‑family platted lots prior to ground‑disturbing activity and require that surveys and relocation work be conducted by "qualified environmental professionals." Rodriguez said the city will require "approved after action reports" showing that relocations were completed and that Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) permits be followed for any relocation.

Regarding protected species encounters, staff described indigo‑snake protocols: work must stop if an indigo snake is encountered and be allowed to resume after the animal leaves; killing or otherwise taking a listed species would be considered a reportable 'take' under FWC rules.

On cultural resources, the draft sets a five‑year window for prior cultural resource investigations to exempt a parcel from new survey requirements and requires a Phase I (assessment) before any disturbance where no recent survey exists. Staff said professional qualifications will follow the Secretary of the Interior's Historic Preservation Professional Qualification Standards and that cultural‑resource reporting must follow Florida Division of Historic Resources guidance and be submitted to the Florida master site file.

Fortuitous finds: The draft requires immediate cessation of work and notification of professional archaeologists and appropriate agencies (the district medical examiner, state archaeologist and SHPO) if cultural resources or unmarked human skeletal remains are discovered; staff cited Florida statute and established reporting steps.

What happens next: Staff will incorporate feedback and present the cultural‑resource and listed‑species language to the planning board; the workshop closed public comment with no speakers.