Atlantic Beach council advances three ordinances on first reading, including parking and boards rules

The Town of Atlantic Beach council moved three ordinances forward on first reading Aug. 5, advancing amendments to land management and governance rules while flagging issues for second readings.

Ordinance 5-2024, introduced by Mayor Jake Evans, would amend the land management ordinanceon parking and loading standards. Staff described the review process: the measure will go to the Planning Commission for recommendation, require a public hearing with notice (staff noted an internal practice of allowing a 35-day notice to ensure newspaper listing), and then return to council for a second reading and final action.

Ordinance 6-2024 proposes to require only one front setback per property. The measure received its first reading and passed by roll call.

Ordinance 7-2024 would establish Title 1, Chapter 9 in the Town Code to standardize requirements for boards and commissions. Several councilmembers raised concerns about language that could limit public-comment access, referencing confusion at recent Planning Commission meetings. One councilmember urged the language be clarified before a second reading so that residents can comment at public hearings without additional procedural hurdles.

Roll-call tallies during first readings followed a similar pattern across the three ordinances: Councilman Edward Campbell voted Nay on the ordinances recorded as opposed, Councilman John David recorded No on some items, and Mayor Jake Evans, Mayor Pro-tem Josephine Isom and Councilwoman Jacqueline Gore supported the measures. The council did not adopt final ordinances at this meeting; each item will return for additional review, a public hearing where required, and a second reading.