Deputy city manager briefs board on comp‑plan workload and state bills that could change reviews

Deputy City Manager Helena Cromoff told the Planning Advisory Board that the city is entering a heavy multi‑year workload: the EAR, a comp‑plan update, and a rewrite of the land development code. Cromoff described cycles of reinvention for Fernandina Beach and said staff are already planning for the next three years of reviews.

Cromoff flagged several pending state measures that may affect local planning. She said Senate Bill 180 could affect comp‑plan submissions and that House Bill 399 would expand use of third‑party reviewers in planning, echoing similar provisions already used in building inspections. "We are starting to plan for how we will implement third‑party reviewer lists and to address revenue and permit impacts," Cromoff said.

Cromoff also summarized changes taking effect July 1 for small permits, noting exemptions for work under a monetary threshold and staff review of revenue and operational impacts. She told the board that staff expect no massive financial impact because the city is islanded and many small permits are exempt, but said the commission has been briefed on an approximate 15% ad‑valorem impact tied to recent revenue discussions.

Cromoff closed by saying staff will present a more detailed bill‑by‑bill summary at an upcoming meeting and will prepare an implementation plan for commission review prior to the election. "We're planning for it and we feel like we're going to be fine," she said, while acknowledging difficult decisions may follow if bills pass in their current forms.

Board members asked for a detailed breakdown and welcomed a written summary; staff committed to circulate a summary of the bills and to present formal recommendations to the commission.