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Planning director outlines downtown master plan timeline; council weighs EDZ extension and branding
Summary
Planning Director Jason Jeffries presented a three-part downtown plan: a five-year CIP/action plan (target Sept. 2026), Comprehensive Plan updates (target Oct. 2026) and Land Development Regulation updates; he proposed extending the EDZ for 30 years to fund projects and listed $100,000 in short-term improvements including wayfinding signage.
Jason Jeffries, the city's Planning Director, told the council Feb. 3 that staff is preparing a three-part approach to downtown revitalization: a five-year action/CIP plan, Comprehensive Plan updates (including State review), and Land Development Regulation revisions to align zoning with the downtown vision.
Jeffries said the five-year CIP should be ready by September 2026 to support the next budget cycle; the Comprehensive Plan updates and State reviews are scheduled for completion by October 2026. He said staff will explore extending the Economic Development Zone (EDZ) for 30 years to create a funding source for projects the existing CIP cannot cover.
Short-term projects (about $100,000) were described to cover wayfinding signage, bench replacement, landscaping and other quick improvements; Jeffries said he will seek MainStreet input. Vice Mayor Taylor Dingle advocated branding the area as "Historic Downtown" to distinguish it from other commercial corridors and emphasized planting appropriate street trees rather than palms in vulnerable locations.
Jeffries said lighting construction work with Florida Power & Light is expected to finish by August, and street/landscaping work is scheduled in this fiscal year. Council asked that staff bring concepts that can be matched to grants and EDZ financing options.
No formal action was taken; staff will return with draft CIP items and proposed EDZ timing for Council consideration.
