News Digest
Anna Maria: “Roundabouts a thing of the future”
Photo: Kane Kaiman "They’ll be coming round the island when they come. Funding for the construction of roundabouts at some Anna Maria Island intersections could be available in 2030, according to the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization’s 2020-45...
“South Florida teen planting the seeds of life with mangrove nonprofit”
Photo: Mangrolife FB "Jonah Basi may be 16 years old and a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, but he’s got a big vision for what he wants South Florida to look like in the future. 'I want to see huge green mangroves all along the seawalls that I know are...
Legal: “Palm Beach County moves to expand ban on floating structures anchoring in county waters”
Photo: Allen Eyestone, Palm Beach Post "...Palm Beach County is one step closer to expanding a local law that bans floating structures from anchoring in county waters, with some exceptions. If passed, an update to the Cindy DeFilippo Floating Structure Ordinance will...
Legal: “New sign code could limit ‘obscene language’ in Punta Gorda”
Photo: Daniel Sutphin, Sun "A new Punta Gorda law is in the works that could restrict indecent or obscene language on residential signs and flags — and even a person’s clothes if worn in public places. 'We get complaints about people putting up — whether it’s a flag...
“The Florida State Parks Foundation wants to plant ANOTHER 100,000 new pine trees”
Photo: Volusia Country "It worked last year. Why not do it again?" "Last week, the Florida State Parks Foundation reached its goal of raising $100,000 in one year to plant 100,000 new longleaf pine trees in our state parks. So why not run it back? The foundation...
UPDATE: “Official groundbreaking celebrated for Inlet Beach Underpass”
Photo: Walton County Public Information "Ground was officially broken on March 26 for a project that had been years in preparation, the Inlet Beach Underpass. Approximately 100 people attended the event hosted by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC)...
“A pop of color on utility boxes in North Miami’s Griffing Park”
Photo: City Of North Miami "The colorful brushstrokes of local artist and once-North Miami resident Cavan Koebel now adorn utility boxes, benches and more at Griffing Park, part of the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Art in Public Places Program. Helmed by newly...
“Friends of A1A launch campaign to fight litter: ‘Pack It In, Pack It Out’ “
"The Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway announced the program 'Be a Byway Sea Star – Pack It In, Pack It Out' launching on June 1. The first pilot program location will be at the River to Sea Preserve along SR A1A, where trash receptacles will be removed...
Earth Day: “Florida Springs film series: Biodiversity”
Photo: Florida Museum "...Watch two free films online and register to view a corresponding panel discussion about the important role of Florida springs with the Florida Museum of Natural History and the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute. The films, 'The Santa Fe...
“A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway wins NSBF Byway Community Award”
Photo: Spoonbills and Sprochets in Palm Coast Observer "The A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway is a winner of the 2021 National Scenic Byway Foundation's Byway Community Award for its eighth-annual Spoonbills and Sprockets Cycling Tour – Crazy 8's event. In its...
Jacksonville Update: What do the 5G poles look like now that they are installed in historic Riverside?
Photo: Resident Community News "Tall, black, monolithic poles are starting to crop up in Riverside... Photo: Resident Community News To work effectively, the towers must be spaced close to each other, approximately 200 feet apart, said District 14 City Councilwoman...
“Volusia County to conserve portion of Ormond Scenic Loop – 71,000 signatures were collected in hopes to save land from development”
Photo: Molly Reed, WKMG News 6 Orlando "Residents who had been fighting to stop planned development along a beloved scenic route in Volusia County have won their battle. The county council on Tuesday voted to buy 36 acres of historic land on the Ormond Scenic Loop and...
Leesburg Historic Preservation: “Lee School plan gets planning and zoning blessing for multi-family housing”
Photo: Cindy Peterson "...While the main building will stand, other buildings will be razed on the five-acre site, including a large brick building just north of the main building... Plans meet four city goals and requirements...remove blight, fit in with the city’s...
Florida WildQuest – May 1-9
"Explore Florida’s Wildlife Management Areas through a unique scavenger hunt experience! From May 1 – 9, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will host a series of scavenger hunts on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) throughout the state. With the free...
Legislative Alert: Florida bills could bar local government design review and authority for residential buildings
"One of 1000 Friends’ foundational priorities is to help build better communities in Florida. But SB 284 /HB 55, entitled Building Design, would take yet another tool away from local governments. This legislation seeks to remove local government authority to regulate...
Floating Billboards: Volusia County’s 47 miles of seashore at risk
Photo: David Tucker, St. Augustine Record "No tacky displays" "'Unbelievable' or 'You've got to be kidding' - These are the only phrases which come to mind when reading [the St. Augustine Record] March 19 article about the Volusia County Council approving the use of...
Community Greening at work in South Florida: “Pine Grove Elementary gets spruced up with 200 trees”
Photo: Pebb Capital, Sun Sentinel "Pine Grove Elementary School in Delray Beach was recently beautified with the addition of 200 trees on its campus. The newly planted trees are part of a citywide tree relocation program created by Sundy Village and Pebb Capital...
Legal: Can a city maintain any distinction between on-premise and off-premise signs?
Photo: Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman "Reagan and Lamar sued the City of Austin when the city denied approximately 85 digital billboard permits for off-premise advertising billboards arguing that the City Sign Code’s distinction between on-premise and...
Scenic Intersection Ramps: “Winning design chosen for Winter Park I-4 Ultimate ramp”
Rendering: By RLF Architects "Design selection by the Public Art Advisory Board was approved by the City Commission last month for a large-scale sculpture that will be installed at the new I-4 Ultimate on-ramp in Winter Park... The installation will feature a long row...
Scenic Intersection Murals: “City of Clearwater sponsoring paint the pavement placemaking project in the Skycrest neighborhood”
Photo: Steven Hirschfield - Artist and volunteers celebrating their new artwork in the City of Clearwater "The City of Clearwater’s Neighborhoods Division sponsored a placemaking event Sunday with the painting of an intersection mural in the Skycrest neighborhood at...