The joint educational workshop was highlighted by a presentation from the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council on a National Science Foundation-funded project. The project focuses on constructing a rain garden to mitigate flooding and increase biodiversity while scientifically monitoring its impact. The initiative aims to make the approach transferable to other areas, with Stetson University among the project partners.

Brenda Defoe, Director of Planning for the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, provided context for resilience and vulnerability assessments. She underscored the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather and the necessity for informed policy decisions to address future conditions and potential infrastructure issues, noting the city would receive an updated vulnerability assessment from the state’s resilient Florida grant legislation.

Jerry Murphy from the University of Florida reviewed the historical approach to land development and policy in Florida, tracing back to the environmental movement and significant milestones like the 1985 Growth Management Act and the establishment of the State Land Planning Agency. The impact of hurricanes, particularly Hurricane Charlie on Fort Myers Beach, was also discussed as an influence on policy.

The board’s discussion touched on the evolution of legislation and regulations related to flood legislation, with a focus on proactive policies and regulations. The meeting explored sustainable landscape design, including the use of drought-tolerant plant species, and the importance of rehabilitating the soil with compost to promote sustainability.

Key to the debate was the handling of future flooding concerns. Strategies include elevating new construction, implementing dry flood proofing, and enhancing the percolation of water. Comprehensive updates to meet state-mandated flood act requirements and the implementation of an enhanced resilience area were also on the agenda. However, the potential negative impacts of elevated lots, such as the collapse in Surfside, were a concern. The board stressed the importance of ensuring that elevating lots and permitting are done with caution to avoid damage to existing structures.

The meeting also covered regulations for managing stormwater, such as the use of stormwater chambers, permeable surfaces, and finding additional storage capacity for stormwater. Success stories from other communities were mentioned, along with the potential benefits of higher community rating service valuations and higher standards to prevent adverse impacts from floodwater on neighboring properties. Insurance policies and the benefits of raising properties to protect against flooding were also discussed, with specific references to flooding impacts in areas like Coral Harbor.

A particular case of a new single-family home being built to meet the latest flood requirements sparked debate. The home’s elevation above surrounding properties raised concerns among neighbors. Board members discussed the need for specific policies in the comprehensive plan and land development regulations to address these concerns. The conversation extended to challenges in redevelopment, the role of incentives versus requirements in driving development to meet community standards, and the impact of insurance and market forces on adaptive development.

The board expressed interest in best management practices for developers, considering evolving regulations and the impact of development on the barrier island. A former community development director emphasized the dramatic impact of storms on barrier islands and the need for proactive measures. Policies to mitigate the effects of extreme weather, identifying vulnerable areas, and exploring underground excavation or storage as potential solutions for water-related challenges were proposed.

The importance of policy decisions in addressing infrastructure challenges and the need for a comprehensive approach to resilience planning was acknowledged. The board emphasized the significance of community involvement in addressing climate change and environmental impact, including an invitation to participate in a community event for planting rain garden plants.