Resolution No. 25-35RESOLUTION NO. 25-35
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA,
OPPOSING FLORIDA HOUSE BILL 943; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR OF
FLORIDA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF
THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND THE MEMBERS OF
THE DUVAL COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Florida's voters placed municipal home rule powers into the Florida Constitution
on Nov. 5, 1968, during the regular elections as an amendment to Article VIII; and
WHEREAS, this power enables municipalities to consider, adopt, revise or remove their own
laws without the need to seek legislative permission from the state and has served as the foundation
upon which every municipality builds its governmental structure; and
WHEREAS, the City of Atlantic Beach is a duly established municipality within the State of
Florida, committed to protecting the quality of life, character, and best interests of its residents and visitors;
and
WHEREAS, once again in 2025, numerous bills being considered by the Florida Legislature
contradict the will of the people of Florida, who express an unequivocal desire for broad home rule powers
in their state constitution; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature is considering approving House Bill 943 ("HB 943"), which
substantially amends the Live Local Act and also amends requirements for local comprehensive plans and
land development regulations; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach has carefully reviewed HB 943, as
amended, and has identified provisions that pose significant concerns and potential negative impacts on the
City and its ability to effectively govern; and
WHEREAS, those concerns include:
• Redefining height limit: Allows new construction to be the height of existing buildings rather
than the height currently allowed. This undermines the nearly 20 -year-old City Charter
prohibition on structures greater than 35 feet in Atlantic Beach which withstood the 2023 Live
Local Act.
• Endangering tree canopy: Increased density and intensity will result in additional loss of tree
canopy and increase stormwater runoff.
• Undermining local zoning: Allowing almost any building type anywhere, bypassing
neighborhood fit and public input.
• Granting religious -institution landowners unchecked development power: Permitting any
construction on religious land, potentially circumventing zoning.
• Forcing high-density development in single-family areas: Mandating apartment buildings even
in residential zones and opening green spaces to development.
• Shifting development costs to taxpayers: Reducing impact fees paid by developers for
infrastructure.
• Exposing cities to lawsuits for enforcing basic safety rules: Limiting cities' ability to ensure
adequate parking, safe sidewalks, and flood prevention.
Resolution No. 25-35 Page 1 of 2
Reducing parking requirements: Potentially worsening traffic and parking congestion.
Preventing development pauses for critical issues: Removing cities' ability to halt construction
during emergencies like water shortages.
Prioritizing market -rate ADUs over affordable housing: Potentially increasing short-term
rentals instead of addressing housing shortages.
WHEREAS, This bill, despite the worthy desire for affordable housing, overreaches by
stripping cities of responsible growth management, endangering neighborhoods, eliminating local
control, burdening taxpayers, and enabling unchecked development. Cities should retain the
authority to make informed community decisions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Atlantic
Beach, Florida, that:
SECTION 1. The City Commission hereby expresses its strong opposition to proposed Florida
House Bill 943.
SECTION 2. The City Commission urges the Florida Legislature to recognize the importance of
maintaining local government authority to address the unique needs and circumstances of their
communities, and to reject the provisions of HB 943 as currently drafted.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the
Governor of Florida, the President of the Florida Senate, the Speaker of the Florida House of
Representatives, and the members of the Duval County Legislative Delegation.
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach, this 14t'
day of April, 2025.
h
Curtisord, Mayor
Attest:
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Approved as to form and correctness:
Jason e1 y Attorney
Resolution No. 25-35 Page 2 of 2