NEFBA’s Government Affairs Committee: The next Government Affairs meeting is 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 24, at the NEFBA Offices (103 Century 21 Dr., Suite 100).
Proposed Roadway Standards. The City of Jacksonville Context Sensitive Streets Standards Committee is creating updated standard cross sections for new, reconstructed and resurfaced streets. The committee is considering changes to the minimum lane width, minimum sidewalk width and location and minimum planting strip width. Proposed changes include adding 5-foot bike lanes to all streets, including residential.
Duval County issues: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Transportation Impact Fee: The Clay County Board of County Commissioners released a draft of the newest transportation impact fee study. The draft study recommends a transportation impact fee ranging from $6,718 to $9,578 on single-family housing depending on the size of the home. Proposed commercial impact fees vary greatly based on type of use. Copies of the study are available on the county’s website.
Comp Plan Update: The Clay County Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission recently hosted a joint meeting to hear a staff report from the county’s planning department on the current status of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Staff presented proposed changes, including the creation of a defined Urban Service Area, allowing 16 units per acre in certain urban residential zonings, reducing the use of pocket parks in favor of larger community parks, and reducing the projected population growth from 330,703 by 2040 to 294,100. The draft plan has several more workshops scheduled in August and September before the Oct. 1 deadline.
Builders Council: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
The St. Johns County Utility Department is proposing amendments that add provisions for reclaimed water service requirements to Utility Ordinance 2013-13. The amendment will require new developments with more than 20 single-family units in areas where reclaimed water service will be available within 10 years to provide for reuse water service and set policies that will prevent cross connections with potable water. In areas that do not have reclaimed water service currently, potable water will be pumped through the reclaimed water lines at the expense of the developer. The amendment also states the county has the right to stop the flow at its discretion if a cross-connection violation occurs. It is estimated that these changes will add as much as $3,500 per residential unit and have a huge financial impact on commercial projects. Additionally, for any areas not in the mandatory reclaimed water service area, other provisions were added to conserve water that will create additional expense for both the developers and the builders. NEFBA members provided input about the negative impact the proposed amendments will have on the industry.
Builders Council: Leona Brown, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Gas Tax Increase Fails: The Nassau County Board of Commissioners did not approved a gas tax increase for the county at a recent commission meeting. The proposed gas tax, which was supported by NEFBA and the Nassau Builders Council, receive a 3-2 vote, but needed a four-fifths vote to pass. The 5-cent gas tax, which would have been added to a 7-cent tax already in place, would have helped fund road construction projects. The tax was supported by commissioners Pat Edwards, Danny Leeper and Justin Taylor. George Spicer and Stephen Kelly opposed the increase.
Builders Council: Palmer Kuder, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Baker
Baker County issues: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355