Government advocacy update

Realty Builder
NEFBA

Duval

NEFBA’s Government Affairs Committee: The next Government Affairs meeting is 8:30 a.m. Jan. 25 at the NEFBA Offices (103 Century 21 Drive, Suite 100).

Solid Waste Committee: City Council President Anna Brosche reactivated the Solid Waste committee to address questions about and alternatives to the construction and demolition debris hauler franchise fee proposed by City Council Bill 2017-632. The committee chair is council member Bill Gulliford.

Context Sensitive Street Legislation: Legislation filed by the City of Jacksonville will change the requirements for sidewalk in neighborhoods. The legislation creates a definition for “reconstructed streets,” requires all new or reconstructed streets to include bike facilities, increases the minimum width of sidewalks from four feet to between five and eight feet, depending on type, and requires sidewalks on both sides of the road in most development areas. Residential developments have the option of a six-foot sidewalk on one side of the road, but only on roads that do not provide connectivity to thoroughfares, such as collector roads.

Clay

New Impact Fee: Clay County has begun collecting its recently approved Transportation Impact Fee. The fee structure for residential has three categories: Less than 1,500 square feet ($2,764); 1,500-2,499 square feet ($3,461); and, 2,500 square feet and more ($3,910). The commission agreed to a reduced rate implementation of six months when the fee will be collected at a 50 percent discount. The new fee, as well as the School Impact Fee, will be collected when electric service is turned on.

St. Johns

FPL Project Portal: Florida Power and Light has launched a new website to assist contractors. The Project Portal can be used to submit project and work requests, track project progress and communicate with staff. FPL is also working to add online payment options to the portal in early 2018. Visit fpl.com/construction to learn more.

Nassau

Building Official Retires: Nassau County Building Official Mike Griffin retired from the Nassau County Building Department. Deputy Building Official Terry Cotter serves as interim Building Official until a replacement is named.

Technical Advisory Panel on Development: The Urban Land Institute of North Florida has been contracted by Nassau County to form a Technical Advisory Panel to study western Nassau County and plan for development. The panel hosted a town hall meeting and interviewed local leaders including the county commissioners, various county staff, mayors of Callahan and Hilliard and others who have an understanding of the diversity of the county and its needs. The panel is expected to deliver its report to the Board of County Commissioners within three months and will include general recommendations about where growth should be directed and how to guide growth.