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Charter panel debates whether annexation, density and water‑conservation rules belong in Edgewater's charter or in land‑use code
Summary
Committee and public commenters discussed drafting charter language on annexation limits, density and water‑conservation — staff recommended exploring an Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement or comprehensive plan/code changes and offered sample ordinance language.
Committee members and staff grappled with where to place limits on annexation, density and development intensity: in the charter, the comprehensive plan/land‑development code, or an Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement (ISBA).
One committee member urged language to manage "density and intensity of annexations, for public safety, flood protection, zoning consistency," saying the goal is to prevent automatic increases in density when county parcels annex into the city. Staff counsel and development staff warned that blanket prohibitions on changing density at annexation can be legally and practically complicated; hundreds of site‑specific factors affect zoning decisions and many technical issues are handled best through the comprehensive plan or land‑use regulations.
A public commenter, Dr. Wendy Anderson, a countywide elected member of the Volusia Soil and Water Conservation District Board, told the committee she was "glad that the conversation about conservation has come up" and urged the committee to "codify water conservation" measures in charter language or other city policy. Dr. Anderson warned of saltwater intrusion and said "there is a real risk that Edgewater could run out of good clean drinking water in the future," recommending that the city keep options open for future water supplies rather than preemptively banning technologies such as potable reuse.
Committee members also discussed discrete regulatory ideas raised by citizens: stem‑wall requirements for new construction to control runoff, native‑plant landscape requirements for new developments, and incentives for existing residents to switch to Florida‑friendly landscaping. Staff said many municipalities implement such standards through ordinances and building codes but that the charter could include a higher‑level statement of values or a preamble that makes conservation a stated priority.
Staff recommended additional research and offered to bring back draft options (charter language, ordinance text, and ISBA excerpts) for the committee to review. The committee directed staff to return with model language and legal analysis at a future meeting.
