Atlantic Beach panel delays code change, directs study and interim relief on stormwater trigger

Residents and experts pressed the Atlantic Beach City Commission on June 23 to delay a proposed rewrite of on-site stormwater rules that would remove a 400-square-foot trigger and let properties build up to 45% impervious coverage without additional on-site retention. Mayor Ford framed the session as a conversation rather than a final ordinance vote and asked staff to return with data-backed options.

Longtime resident and former public-works director Rick Carper said the current on-site storage rules, adopted by the commission in 2003, are a cost-effective way to control runoff at its source. "On-site storage is low impact development by handling an issue at its source," Carper said, and warned that removing the trigger would shift expensive infrastructure costs to taxpayers.

Environmental Stewardship Committee vice chair Amy Palmer and other speakers described rising nuisance flooding, increasing impervious coverage and the loss of on-site filtration that can carry pollutants into waterways. Sarah Boren, who lives in Old Atlantic Beach, urged the commission to "wait to get more data from the forthcoming master stormwater management plan before removing the 400 square foot trigger."

Staff told commissioners the Community Development Board drafted language that would eliminate the 400-square-foot threshold; staff recommended waiting for the master plan update and noted the city has pursued a grant that could double study funding from $200,000 to $400,000, allowing a more in-depth analysis. City manager Killingsworth said the grant decision should arrive within weeks.

After extended questioning about how many properties have been affected, how much impervious acreage has changed since the 2018 study and who would bear costs, the commission agreed by consensus to direct the city manager and staff to propose intermediary relief options. Ideas mentioned included limiting stormwater compliance to incremental additions (rather than entire lot re-measurement), carving exemptions by drainage basin or topography, and offering incentives for lower impervious coverage. The commission also agreed to pursue expanded study funding and to consider budgeting additional city funds if necessary.

The commission emphasized any formal ordinance would follow statutory steps (community review and public hearings). For now, the staff was asked to return with options that could provide immediate homeowner relief in limited cases while the master plan proceeds.