NEFBA’s Government Affairs Committee: The next Government Affairs meeting is 8:30 a.m., Thursday, July 27 at the NEFBA Offices (103 Century 21 Drive, Suite 100).
New City Council President: Councilwoman Anna Lopez Brosche was elected by her peers to serve as Jacksonville City Council president. Brosche won a tight race against John Crescimbeni, council vice president. Councilman Aaron Bowman was elected to serve as vice president with Brosche.
Tree Ordinance: A recent lawsuit settlement requires the City of Jacksonville to make changes to the way it tracks and records data collected from builders for tree mitigation. Under the settlement, the city will be required to establish a seven-member tree commission, hire an urban forester manager and city arborist to oversee tree conservation and the special trust fund, improve the tracking and transparency of expenditures from the tree funds, and increase penalties for failure to obtain a permit to remove trees or for removing too many trees.
Duval County issues: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Proposed LDR Changes: The Clay County Engineering Services and Public Works Departments are considering possible changes to the land development code. Possible changes include bringing engineering inspection in house, increasing lane widths required on local streets, allowing for the use of polypropylene pipes, and reducing the minimum horizontal CL radius for subdivisions. Workshops on the issues are expected to begin in July.
Builders Council: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Proposed Utility Ordinance: St. Johns County is considering an update to its utility ordinance that will add provisions for reclaimed water service, including a mandatory reclaimed water service area. Due to the proposed change, projected cost increases on individual homes would range from $1,500 to $2,500. The county expects to have the draft ordinance posted for review with a tentative deadline for comment by mid-July.
Builders Council: Leona Brown, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: The Board of County Commissioners, led by Commissioner Justin Taylor, recently expressed an interest in establishing a committee to review current affordable housing options in the county and to develop a plan to provide additional affordable housing options for the community. The commissioners subsequently adopted Ordinance No. 2017-11, which outlines the committee’s purpose, member terms and mandated industry criteria for representatives serving on the committee. Members of the new committee include past NEFBA President Greg Matovina and Ability Housing Property Development Administrator Jenna Emmons.
Builders Council: Palmer Kuder, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355