Email: ddavis@juno-beach.fl.us or DianaDavisJunoBeach@gmail.com

The key factor in the decision to approve the site plan and the zoning change to moderate density residential is that it provides a less intensive use of the property, known as "downzoning," from the type of development that would be allowed "by right" based on the property's current zoning. Note that zoning is uniquely site-specific, and the change to residential zoning in this area does not create precedence to change other commercial areas into residential. The site plan approved reduces the density, reduces lot coverage, reduces traffic trip generation, and increases landscaping. The project includes updates to its neighboring commercial property, Juno Square Plaza, the location of the Juno Beach Cafe & Thirsty Turtle, which hopefully assures that these popular restaurants will not be priced-out by increased rents and will remain as they are locals' favorites. The Fish House restaurant east of the project, another local's favorite, supported the residential use.

Public benefits include undergrounding the power line on U.S. 1 from the corner at Donald Ross Road to Floral Drive, a donation for Kagan Park playground, on site park benches, and payment of fair-market-value for the abandonment of the right-of-way. The landscaping is to include Royal Palms lining U.S. 1 and Donald Ross to match the Caretta Project landscaping to the extent possible to create a cohesive look for this entrance to our Town.

We are charged with continuous improvement of our processes for transparency and to be better in our land development reviews. As a critique of the new process for review of site plans by Planning & Zoning and Town Council, without meeting with the developers prior to the public hearing, we must allow more open public forum type communication by all parties. Our Town Attorney explained that the only testimony on the record of the proceeding given under oath, actually becomes part of the proceeding. The residents and neighbors who are requesting improvements to the project, or who are opposed, were only given a three-minute time limit for public comments without any responses by Town Council, Planning and Zoning Staff or the Applicant.

Ideally, we would meet in an open public forum workshop where the project's architectural plans, engineering drawings, stormwater proposals, environmental reviews, and landscape plans, are vetted. We need at least two or three open public forum workshops for any development proposed, whose approval comes before Town Council, with the availability to the public of the large sized plans or expandable digital plans.

At the project hearing, after the workshops, the public should be allowed to speak as long as necessary, so long as not repetitive, and on topic. If the project after sufficient revew at the hearing, gets to a point of being considered for approval, the applicant must then come back before the Board and Council for approval with the amended site plans to show the conditions of approval, so that all could agree that as laid out on the plans, everyone's expectations are met. We need to change the culture and create a review process where the focus is to improve proposed development projects for the benefit of our current residents. We are better together.

The third presentation and second budget hearing was presented by our Town's new Finance Director Emily Alves.

1. Click here for the budget presentation
2. Click here for Capital Improvement Plan and funding sources
3. Click here for one page budget summary

The majority vote was for a millage rate of 1.8195, which has been the same since 2022. The millage rate per $1,000 dollars of assessed property at 1.8195, will result in the Town collecting 6.45% higher taxes due to increased property values and new builds, which is an increase of $255,671.00.

My "no" vote was to set the millage rate at 1.7640, where homestead properties would not pay additional taxes to the Town of Juno Beach. I will continue to push for governmental efficiencies and lowering your taxes.

While we are dissappointed that David Dyess is leaving on November 1st, a new path forward is charted for our Town by the hiring of the executive recruiting firm of Colin Baenziger & Associates. They will lead the search for our new Town Manager. [click here for Town Manager promotional materials] (Note that an updated version of the promotional materials is expected soon.) The aggressive schedule for selection has new potential candidates available for interview as early as December 6, 2024. [click here for candidate selection schedule] I am optomistic that a new leader with new ideas will bring our Town to the next level in transparency, in strategic planning, and in operational excellence process improvements in all areas of our Town government.

The Town Council was unanimous in their approval of Frank Davila, Director of Planning and Zoning, CFM, to take on a second role as interim Town Manager. It was suggested that we act with urgency to hire a consultant, who can draft the Town Council agreed changes to our land development codes, to take some of that burden from Frank Davila's group, especially during this interim period. Frank will begin immediately working with David Dyess to hopefully create a manual of Town Manager duties that can be passed on as a training booklet "how-to" for the new Town Manager when ultimately selected. A guide to Town Manager duties with process and procedures for decisionmaking is an important succession planning tool. If the consultant's aggressive time schedule works-out, we will have a new Town Manager early in the first quarter of 2025.

This meeting is scheduled for Town residents to meet our contractor, James Karas, who is drafting the Strategic Plan for our Town. The strategic plan is a multi-year workplan to ensure that Town Council and Town Staff are working toward the same goals, such as slow growth, reducing traffic, and maintaining what is unique about our town. In the initial individual interviews with Town Council members, we discussed updates to our Town's mission and vision statements. Public input is a key component of the strategic plan. Please plan on attending at Town Hall on October 16th at 4pm, note that Town Council is not invited and it is to be a resident event.

APTIM, our consultant for our Vulnerability Assessment, is holding their first public workshop on-line on October 29th. The State of Florida mandated that local governments participate in Vulnerability Assessments and provided grant funding for these assessments in order to be eligible for any future stormwater improvement grant funding such as we used for Universe Boulevard. The Vulnerability Assessment can address topics such as shoreline protection, stormwater system upgrades, roadway improvements, utility resilience, and code changes needed. The projects identified may be eligible for FEMA or other State and Federal funding sources to complete. Your input is important. The invitation to the meeting is by email from APTIM with the information to connect to the Microsoft teams on-line meeting. If you have not received your email invite and wish to participate, please call Town Hall and ask to be included by APTIM on a Microsoft teams invite.

Your input and opinions: Public engagement is a vital part of the work that Town Council does for our community. Your comments and thoughts are encouraged and welcomed.

All the Best to you,

Diana Davis

phone: 561-267-7772 official email: ddavis@juno-beach.fl.us

From left to right, Marianne Hosta Vice-Mayor Pro Tem, Diana Davis (me) Council person, Peggy Wheeler Mayor, Jacob Rosengarten Council person,and DD Halpern Vice-Mayor.

Save the Dates: October 2nd 9:30am - Coffee with a Cop,

October 7th 4pm - Planning & Zoning Board Meeting [link to agenda],

October 16th 4-7pm - Strategic Plan Workshop for Residents (Town Council is not to attend)

October 18th 4pm - Oktoberfest (tickets available now at Town Hall),

October 23rd 5:30pm - Town Council Meeting,

October 28th Tentative Town Council Meeting to complete 23rd agenda items, if needed.

October 29th 3-4:30pm - Vulnerability Assessment Public Workshop On-Line by microsoft teams, call Town Hall if you did not receive an email invitation to participate and wish to do so.

[link to Town Calendar on webpage][Calendar Dates to End of Year listing]

Click here for the agenda and backup materials for the September Click here to see the video of the September 25th Town Council meeting.

Click here for the agenda and backup materials for the September 27th Town Council meeting. Click here to see the video of the September 27th Town Council meeting.