(PENSACOLA, F.L.) --- The city’s Land Development Code (LDC) Update Public Hearing drew criticism and praise.
An hour of the five-and-a-half-hour-long August 13 Pensacola City Council meeting was dedicated to the LDC Update, sponsored by Mayor D.C. Reeves. After a half-hour PowerPoint presentation by Inspire Placemaking Collective, public comment opened, beginning with elected officials.
(Photo: Mayor D.C. Reeves at the August 13 meeting, Land Development Code Update Public Hearing)
Councilman Charles Bare began with “a question about the Clara story windows.”
"I have not seen the requirement in other places," Bare said, adding he is not sure about the allowed distance close to the property line.
“I understand you had one person who made the recommendation,” Bare said. “Are there any other cities in the state of Florida who had that requirement in the land development code?”
It came from one person, according to the Inspire Collective Placemaking Principal Patricia Tyjeski.
"While we're not trying to cater to a person, we are- we just, when we heard it, we thought it would be a good idea to put something in to allow for privacy of the neighbors," Tyjeski said.
Bare called it an “unreasonable standard," specifically since "you can already see the backyard from your house."
"Sometimes houses don't line up exactly right except for unplanned subdivisions where everything's the same," Bare said.
(Photo: City of Pensacola Land Development Code Update workshop, open house photos for the LDC update presented at the August 13 meeting)
Along with the "sole" comment on the property line, residents made numerous other suggestions throughout the LDC Update process. The city held LDC Update Open Houses, Workshops, and an online survey for residents to make recommendations. The website offers an interactive map and project timeline.
Council Vice President Jennifer Brahier and Councilman Casey Jones confirmed there was no difference in the code regarding signage. Brahier also brought up the recent change in the tree ordinance from $400 to $1,500 for tree removal.
(Photo: City of Pensacola Land Development Code Update tree ordinance changes challenged by residents at the August 13 meeting)
If a resident removes a tree instead of preserving it, it will cost $ 1,500 to do so. For example, removing 11 trees would cost $16.5K. Resident Renee Borden questioned the cost and preservation language in the new LDC update.
“When we read the intent, it talks about encouraging preservation of existing trees,” Borden said. “That's the first intent of this ordinance, and I would challenge you to look at the ordinance and see if that's actually what's happening.”
Borden said, “Our existing canopy not only provides intrinsic value, but also measurable value."
“One large mature oak tree can mitigate up to 40,000 gallons of stormwater runoff a year,” Borden said. “The more that we're seeing the clear cutting of these large, very large canopy trees, the more stormwater that we're introducing into the system, and that's causing the cost for our citizens.”
(Photo: Resident Renee Borden shares tree preservation, stormwater management concerns at the August 13 meeting)
Not to mention tree shade, according to Borden, saying “we also know that the mature canopy can provide some benefit for shade and energy consumption, which will also reduce the cost to our citizens.”
Like Borden, Kim Addison challenged the code regarding trees, saying, “we must look at advanced cities around the world and in Florida.”
“We can utilize a system called the Koch system that dictates that a true tree value is not static or merely aesthetic,” Addison said. “It calculates the hard monetary values that the trees' carbon dioxide uptake, oxygen release, soil stabilization, microclimate cooling, and habitat provide. “
Addison added, "When our local codes allow mature trees to be stripped away, we aren't just losing a tree; we're losing a municipal infrastructure."
“Unfortunately, right now, there seems to be a visible gap between the protective ordinances that are already on our books and the actual enforcement from our city arborist office,” Addison said.
(Photo: City of Pensacola Land Development Code Update timeline presented at the August 13 meeting)
Environmental Advisory Board Member Ralph Schofield addressed council, leaving out his post on the local board. Schofield noted the issue with “vested right decisions” in the LDC language.
“It seems unclear who makes these decisions,” Schofield said. “Maybe it goes to mayor designee, which pretty much everything else goes to.”
Power is at play, according to Schofield.
“I just want to point out that giving this broad discretionary power to the mayor or designee is pretty unclear; it's not very objective,” Schofield said.
(Photo: Environmental Advisory Board Member Robert Schofield questions Mayor D.C. Reeves LDC Update changes at the August 13 meeting)
“It would go a long way toward deference to the public to maybe not give such great discretion to the mayor who has developer connections in a development plan," Schofield added.
Colin Gold and Peggy Groves praised officials, specifically Mayor Reeves, for the LUD updates.
“The draft before you takes practical steps towards making Pensacola a more financially resilient, walkable, and housing-rich city,” Gold said. “Our city's long -term fiscal health depends on making the best possible use of the roads, water lines, and services we already pay to maintain.”
Additionally, Gold praised the clearer definitions of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), duplexes, townhomes, and expedited two-lot splits, which he states foster attainable homeownership. The hard work on ADU”s can be directly related to the Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Board, who have worked diligently for months on the ADU code recommendations up to the most recent meeting.
Groves, a member of Justice United Seeking Transformation (J.U.S.T), said she spoke on behalf of the local non-profit’s Affordable Housing Steering Committee.
“J.U.S.T Pensacola is pleased to support Mayor Reeves' commitment to rezoning through the repeal and replacement of the Land Development Code,” Groves said. “We are encouraged that he is honoring the promise he made.”
Lastly, residents Joe Wade and Larry Downs Jr. opposed the change. While Wade said the code is similar to a "human control grid," eroding privacy and property rights, Downs Jr. said "affordable housing" and "housing insecurities" are more about control than genuine concern and positive change.
(Photo: City of Pensacola Land Development Code Update next steps)
The second public hearing is on September 24, and the last reading and adoption are on October 8. The September 24 hearing at the regularly scheduled Pensacola City Council meeting is the last chance residents can offer recommendations or concerns.
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