Did anyone else have a SLOW month in August? Thank goodness it seems to be a one off! TMS is off and running on a new project in Jasper County, South Carolina and two in St. Lucie County Florida. Each opportunity requires individual planning and execution to ensure a positive outcome. Cheryl designs public involvement plans, identifying stakeholders and I help engage and inform the elected officials and senior staff. On another note, I was delighted to be invited to speak at a CREW luncheon in West Palm Beach about How a Bill Becomes a Law, Florida Tax Watch and a number of important bills that passed and impact the real estate industry here in Florida.

The House and Senate combined tax relief bills and Live Local into one big bill C/C/SB 1730. The changes are now codified at Chapter 2025-172 Laws of Florida. Changes include:

• Yes in God’s backyard (YIGBY) - empowers religious institutions to build affordable housing on their land to address local needs. Local governments are required to approve affordable housing, regardless of zoning, as long as at least 10% of the homes are affordable.

• Administrative Approval Only - specifies that no further action from quasi-judicial or administrative boards is required provided the development complies with local and development regulations for multifamily and is otherwise consistent with the comp plan. Keeps local government from layering on additional reviews.

• Employer Sponsored Housing Policy – declares it state policy to provide affordable housing to employees of hospitals, healthcare facilities and governmental entities, allowing for developers to create a preference.

• There are height restrictions, the parking mandate is reduced, expedites civil action filed against local governments for violation of the LLA.