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Council appoints development director as administrative authority for final plats under new state law
Summary
Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2025-R-25 to designate the Development Services Director, Ryan Solstice, as the administrative authority to review and approve final plats under SB 784; council discussed limits on its ability to overturn those administrative approvals.
Edgewater — The City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Aug. 18 designating the Development Services Director as the city’s administrative authority to process and approve final plats under new state law SB 784.
The council approved Resolution No. 2025-R-25, which names Ryan Solstice, Development Services Director, as the employee authorized to administratively review, process and record final plats and replats in accordance with SB 784. "The resolution in front of you appoints Mr. Ryan Solstice as Development Services Director as that administrative authority," the city attorney said while reading the resolution into the record.
Why it matters: SB 784 requires municipalities to authorize a city employee to act as administrative authority for final plats. Council members asked whether designating that authority limits the council’s ability to revisit plat approvals; the city attorney said the council would not control approvals but the administrative decisions are public records and staff can keep the council informed of notable approvals.
Council discussion and public comment: Public comments on this agenda item were brief but raised procedural concerns. Charles Kilborn told the council he did not believe the Volusia Building Industry Association’s letter qualified as a 'safe-harbor' notice under SB 180 and urged careful legal interpretation. Council members discussed whether council-level oversight would remain possible if a final plat decision raised community concerns; the attorney acknowledged that a legal challenge to an administrative approval would be possible in some circumstances.
Formal action: Motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-R-25 carried by unanimous roll call vote (Mayor DePew — Yes; Councilwoman Gillis — Yes; Councilwoman Thomas — Yes; Councilwoman Dolbo — Yes; Councilman Rainbird — Yes). The resolution takes effect immediately and staff were instructed to inform the mayor and council of significant administrative approvals.
Ending note: Council members voiced concern about additional workload for Development Services but approved the appointment as required by state law; staff said they will keep the council informed and that the resolution includes the statutory fee and payment details for joining the litigation coalition, to be acted on at the Sept. 8 meeting.
