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

Town Attorney Len Rubin provided an update of the 2024 Florida Legislative session (click here for analysis of the session). Just a few of the legislative initiatives are outlined here, please see the whole document for more information.

The Good - HB 1557 will allow the Resilient Florida Grants Program to be used by local governments to update their inventory of critical assets and for the cost of permitting projects designed to achieve reductions in the risks or impacts of flooding and sea level rise.

SB 328 amended the Live Local Act to clarify that the "currently allowed" density, height and floor ratio does not include any bonus, variance or other special exemption provided for in the local government's regulation. In Juno Beach, these work force housing projects would be allowed in our commercial zoned areas. We were told by the Town Attorney that the special exception allowing more than the existing 75% residential within our mixed-use areas would make these projects more attractive. The legislation clarified that the special exemption for higher residential percentages in mixed-use areas is not allowed, so it will not give the developer incentives for workforce housing projects. We had hoped that this bill would have provided more local control for these projects that could be 12-stories tall in Juno Beach despite our existing zoning codes limiting to 60 feet in height in these commercial zoned areas.

The Bad - HB 267 removes some local control over the review process for building applications, it awaits the Governor's signature and once signed would be effective January 1, 2025. HB 267 relates to Florida Building Codes and it shortens time lines for local government building departments to review projects. Its provisions include, Five business days as the time that the local government have to ask a building permit applicant for additional information, or the application is automatically deemed to be properly completed and accepted. Ten business days is the time that the local government has for a revised application to approve or deny unless the applicant agrees in writing for a longer time period. There is automatic approval of a building permit after 10 days if no plan deficiencies are identified, if the "alternative plan review of section 553.791, Florida Statutes is followed.

The Ugly - Law that removes some local control over historical structures, SB 1526, which prohibits local governments from regulations that would stop the demolition of nonconforming or unsafe structures, even if it is a historical structure.

The Town Council is working toward the twin goals of "beautification" and "updating our codes" by requesting that staff benchmark the landscape code requirements of Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Palm Beach County, against the Juno Beach landscape code requirements. If we want beautiful road right-of-way and median landscaping, adequate view buffers from public roadways, shaded sidewalks, foundation plantings that soften the building structure, and the prioritization of planting native plants, then improvements to our Juno Beach landscape codes is the starting point. Consideration of the adoption of various aspects of our neighboring community codes, such as Palm Beach County with its easy to read landscape tables, or Palm Beach Gardens point system for landscape plans and their planting palette, are an exploration in ways to bring additional property value and quality of life by increasing the beautification of our Town.

The staff brought back information regarding resurfacing the playground area with sand or wood bark mulch. Staff also discussed the timing of a grant application for $150,000, to replace the children's playground equipment. Sand as a play surface, did not have the required fall-height ratio to be protective of the play area. Wood bark mulch did have the appropriate fall-height ratio. The recycled rubber tires are the surface that has been objectionable for the smell and with children putting the tire pieces in their mouth. Even though the removal of the existing rubber tire mulch will have to happen eventually, there was not enough support to remove the rubber tire mulch now in favor of wood bark mulch. Staff did not know whether the recent drainage improvements to the park would prevent puddling water at the playground that could cause the wood bark mulch to float and move (tire pieces are heavier). The motion to replace the existing playground equipment without grant funding failed. The existing equipment will be repaired.

The Town Council voted to amend the Town's Donation Policy so that all safety equipment donations would come before Town Council. There is a need for the Town to budget to fully fund our Police Department for their essential equipment needs. It is important that the Town Council can evaluate whether we are relying on the generosity of our residents to fund our essential police functions, or whether the Town budget is correctly reflective of our public safety needs. The vote is a return to previous practices that gives more transparency to these donations.

Relief Options for Single Family Homes

The Town Council discussed with the Town Staff relief options for original single family homes that need to replace mechanical equipment when current setbacks will not allow enough space for the new equipment. A proposed code solution will be brought back to the Town Council.

Sad news We mourn the loss of John Gonzales, a Planning and Zoning Boardmember. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gonzales family during this difficult time.

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: June 5th -Coffee with a Cop, June 10th -Planning and Zoning Board at 4pm, June 25th - Audit oversight committee at 3pm. June 26th - The Town Council meeting at 5:30pm. June 27th -Pelican Lake Workshop at 3pm.

Click here for the agenda and backup materials for the May 22nd Town Council Meeting. Click here to see the video of the May 22nd Town Council meeting. Click here for the agenda and backup materials for the June 10th, Planning and Zoning Board meeting.