Planning board backs Flagler Beach mobility plan and recommends new development fee
April 07, 2026 | Flagler Beach City, Flagler County, Florida
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Planning & Architectural Review Board on April 7 voted unanimously to recommend that the City Commission approve Ordinance 2026-07, a 24-year mobility plan and a mobility fee that would charge new development to help pay for multimodal transportation projects across Flagler Beach.
Lauren Rushing, a transportation planner with New Urban Concepts, presented the plan and fee methodology and told the board the mobility plan shifts the city's focus from moving vehicles quickly to moving people safely, with a 2050 planning horizon. "A mobility fee is a fee that is paid by new development that is intended to mitigate their impact to the offsite transportation system," Rushing said, adding that the fee would apply to new growth only and "is not a tax on existing residents." Rushing also said the plan uses an areawide level-of-service analysis showing about 39% network utilization today rising to roughly 73% by 2050.
The plan lists a range of projects and programs intended to improve walkability, biking, transit and downtown placemaking. Key proposals highlighted in the presentation include curbless shared streets on Central Avenue and portions of Second and Third streets; context-sensitive enhancements and widened pedestrian frontage along Ocean Shore Boulevard (State Road A1A); a ‘‘pier district’’ with expanded pedestrian frontage and formalized parking; a microtransit pilot and demonstrated alignment with Flagler County's transit development plan; and options for Moody Boulevard including lane reductions with separated bike lanes and raised crossings.
Rushing presented preliminary planning-level cost estimates totaling about $229 million for the full set of projects and programs and an "attributable" mobility plan cost of about $48 million for work the city would be responsible for over the 24-year horizon after accounting for likely outside funding. She explained the fee calculation uses attributable project cost divided by person‑miles of added capacity and then applies trip-generation rates to create per‑land‑use rates. Examples provided in the presentation: a 1,500-square-foot single-family home would pay about $4,472 under the proposed schedule; a 4,000-square-foot convenience retail building with a drive‑thru was shown as an illustrative fee near $140,000.
Board members pressed for details on assumptions and impacts. One member asked whether regional developments such as Veranda Bay and Summertown were included in growth projections; Rushing said the regional transportation demand model's growth rates were used and that the projection assumes no future roadway improvements when estimating future demand. Members also raised concerns that high fees could deter desired commercial investment; Rushing said municipalities can adopt discounts or phase-in periods and that communities she works with often adjust schedules to balance competitiveness and infrastructure needs.
A member of the public, Lori Hey, asked whether fees collected from developers would be placed in a dedicated fund and used exclusively for mobility projects. Rushing responded that Florida law requires the city to establish a special revenue fund for mobility fees to ensure they are used for the mobility projects that provide a benefit to the new development.
After questions and public comment, a board member moved to recommend approval of Ordinance 2026-07; the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous voice vote of board members present.
The board's recommendation now moves the ordinance and accompanying mobility plan and technical report to the City Commission; Rushing noted the first reading was scheduled for the commission on Thursday. Under the ordinance as presented, fees would be collectible 90 days after city ordinance adoption and paid at building permit issuance.
Authorities mentioned during the presentation included a statutory reference to Florida statute section 163.180 as the basis for establishing assessment areas and mobility-fee provisions. The plan and the mobility‑fee technical report were provided as backup materials for the board.
Votes at a glance: The board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Ordinance 2026-07 (mobility plan and mobility fee).
Lauren Rushing, a transportation planner with New Urban Concepts, presented the plan and fee methodology and told the board the mobility plan shifts the city's focus from moving vehicles quickly to moving people safely, with a 2050 planning horizon. "A mobility fee is a fee that is paid by new development that is intended to mitigate their impact to the offsite transportation system," Rushing said, adding that the fee would apply to new growth only and "is not a tax on existing residents." Rushing also said the plan uses an areawide level-of-service analysis showing about 39% network utilization today rising to roughly 73% by 2050.
The plan lists a range of projects and programs intended to improve walkability, biking, transit and downtown placemaking. Key proposals highlighted in the presentation include curbless shared streets on Central Avenue and portions of Second and Third streets; context-sensitive enhancements and widened pedestrian frontage along Ocean Shore Boulevard (State Road A1A); a ‘‘pier district’’ with expanded pedestrian frontage and formalized parking; a microtransit pilot and demonstrated alignment with Flagler County's transit development plan; and options for Moody Boulevard including lane reductions with separated bike lanes and raised crossings.
Rushing presented preliminary planning-level cost estimates totaling about $229 million for the full set of projects and programs and an "attributable" mobility plan cost of about $48 million for work the city would be responsible for over the 24-year horizon after accounting for likely outside funding. She explained the fee calculation uses attributable project cost divided by person‑miles of added capacity and then applies trip-generation rates to create per‑land‑use rates. Examples provided in the presentation: a 1,500-square-foot single-family home would pay about $4,472 under the proposed schedule; a 4,000-square-foot convenience retail building with a drive‑thru was shown as an illustrative fee near $140,000.
Board members pressed for details on assumptions and impacts. One member asked whether regional developments such as Veranda Bay and Summertown were included in growth projections; Rushing said the regional transportation demand model's growth rates were used and that the projection assumes no future roadway improvements when estimating future demand. Members also raised concerns that high fees could deter desired commercial investment; Rushing said municipalities can adopt discounts or phase-in periods and that communities she works with often adjust schedules to balance competitiveness and infrastructure needs.
A member of the public, Lori Hey, asked whether fees collected from developers would be placed in a dedicated fund and used exclusively for mobility projects. Rushing responded that Florida law requires the city to establish a special revenue fund for mobility fees to ensure they are used for the mobility projects that provide a benefit to the new development.
After questions and public comment, a board member moved to recommend approval of Ordinance 2026-07; the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous voice vote of board members present.
The board's recommendation now moves the ordinance and accompanying mobility plan and technical report to the City Commission; Rushing noted the first reading was scheduled for the commission on Thursday. Under the ordinance as presented, fees would be collectible 90 days after city ordinance adoption and paid at building permit issuance.
Authorities mentioned during the presentation included a statutory reference to Florida statute section 163.180 as the basis for establishing assessment areas and mobility-fee provisions. The plan and the mobility‑fee technical report were provided as backup materials for the board.
Votes at a glance: The board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Ordinance 2026-07 (mobility plan and mobility fee).
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
