Land Development Code Updates

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UPDATE: The first public hearing date has been moved to Special Council Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 29 in Palm Bay Council Chambers.

Following City Council’s adoption of the Comprehensive Plan Vision 2045, the City is currently undergoing amendments to its Land Development Code (LDC). In accordance with 163.3202, Florida Statutes, the City shall amend the Land Development Code within one year to ensure consistency with the adopted Comprehensive Plan. While the City, in coordination with Inspire Placemaking Collective Inc, is undertaking these amendments, we are also taking this opportunity to update key sections of the LDC to ensure the flow and organization of the Code allows for quick and simple cross-references, provide greater clarity on critical topics, eliminate internal inconsistencies and conflicts, streamline processes for development applications, reduce the number of redundant public hearings, and incorporate textual amendments at the direction of the City Manager and City Council. Finally, there are some chapters current within the LDC that are not related to the development of land and therefore, are proposed to be moved out of the LDC to other chapters within the Palm Bay Code of Ordinances. This information can be found in the links below.

The City held several public workshops and input sessions to garner input on the proposed amendments. The City and Inspire Placemaking Collective Inc hosted a public workshop on September 26, 2023 in Palm Bay Council Chambers and three virtual workshops on October 2, 2023 at 10 AM, 3PM, and 6 PM. A copy of the content and input boards presented can be found in the links below. Additionally, the City sought additional input on specific chapters of the LDC in response to concerns from the development community regarding the Planned Unit Development and subdivision processes. The City solicited the services Land Development Strategies to assist in obtaining input from development stakeholders on specific concerns through one-on-one meetings. Following input, the City held a virtual workshop on April 17, 2024 to present the proposed amendments to Chapters 184 (Subdivision Code) and 185 (Planned Unit Development).

The proposed amendments were presented to the City’s Planning & Zoning Board on August 7, 2024, which recommended approval by City Council. The City held a Special Council Meeting on August 8, 2024 and received a presentation by Inspire Placemaking Collective on the proposed amendments. A copy of the presentation is available in the links below. Council voted to table the first reading of Public Hearing items #1 and #2, relating to the proposed amendments to the LDC, to August 29, 2024 at which time, City Council will convene a Special Council Meeting to vote on the proposed amendments. The second and final reading is scheduled for Regular Council Meeting on September 19, 2024.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Additional opportunities for public input include two open house sessions open to the public and one virtual open house. In addition to the public input session dates below, any member of the public who is unable to attend one of the three sessions may submit their comments and questions to the City by emailing input@palmbayflorida.org. All comments and questions must be submitted no later than August 19, 2024 for consideration prior to the first public hearing. Please include your name, telephone and any code references so that the City can contact you for additional clarification, if necessary.