Auburndale Commission adopts Comprehensive Plan update extending horizon to 2050

The Auburndale City Commission unanimously approved Ordinance #1844 on April 20, adopting an update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan that extends the planning horizon to 2050 and reorganizes multiple plan elements.

City Manager Jeffrey Brown introduced the item and Community Development Director Julie Womble told commissioners the City contracted with Inspire Placemaking, LLC in October 2024 to prepare the update. Womble said an earlier submittal was withdrawn after the Department of Commerce found portions "null and void ab initio" under House Bill 180 for containing policies the state deemed more restrictive; staff and consultants removed or revised those items and retransmitted the update on January 20, 2026.

Womble said the revised amendment updates required plan elements, clarifies existing conditions, removes outdated policies, and adds a reference to the Transportation Master Plan adoption year at FloridaCommerce’s request. She reported the Planning Commission recommended approval (6–0) and staff recommended adoption.

City Attorney Frederick J. Murphy Jr. read Ordinance No. 1844 by title only, and Commissioner Crystal Tijerina moved, with Vice Mayor Jordan Helms seconding, to approve the ordinance on second and final reading. The motion passed with all members voting in favor.

The update implements requirements in Part II, Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes and, per staff, is exempt from a separate business impact estimate under Chapter 2023-309, Laws of Florida. The Commission recorded no public comment on the item. The ordinance becomes effective per the city’s standard enactment procedures.