Planning

The Department provides guidance in design and applies regulatory standards and policies with the intent of ensuring progressive urban design principles while preserving the City’s rich architectural and historic resources.

The Planning Department is responsible for providing professional analysis and recommendations to the City Manager and City Commission on all land development issues. We serve as staff to the City’s Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Design Review Board, and Historic Preservation Board. The Department processes the applications, reviews and prepares recommendations, and is also responsible for implementing and updating the comprehensive plan as required by State Statutes. The Department reviews building permits for compliance with the land development regulations, board orders, and for consistency with architectural review guidelines as well as preservation criteria.

Additionally, the Department conducts studies on specialized topics, such as resiliency and sustainability, growth management, wayfinding, historic designation, and urban and landscape design, and prepares master and conceptual plans for neighborhoods and conservation districts. Such efforts generally involve extensive public participation and collaboration with other City departments and governmental agencies to facilitate the implementation of the plans once approved by the City Commission.