The Palm Coast City Council approved a lengthy agenda at its workshop in Palm Coast on Monday, Sept. 8, 2026. The council took early steps to save its fire department from being transferred to another city, banned a type of water reuse, and took steps to update its housing and land codes. The Vice Mayor Pontieri welcomed Council Members Miller and Sullivan to the workshop, with Mayor Norris and Council Member Gambaro absent.
Public comment and roads
Resident Hatfield thanked the city for repaving Palm Coast Parkway, noting visitors were complimenting “such a clean-looking city,” and asked if the city would be repaving Florida Park Drive next. Council members explained that the priority for which roads get repaved is based on a return-on-investment analysis, as more traveled roads wear out faster and cost much more to repair in the future. “Everything today that costs a lot of money today costs exponentially more money later,” one member stated. The council also thanked staff for installing “Live Like Cameron” flags around the city to raise awareness for childhood cancer.
Housing assistance changes
Flagler County’s Health and Human Services Director and State SHIP (Subsidy for Home Investment Program) program manager for the city and county Joe Hegedus proposed two changes to housing assistance. The city receives SHIP funds from state fees assessed on real estate transactions.
The first change would allow the program to contribute towards the construction of affordable rental housing, which could be used as a local match to bring in state and federal funds. Council members were cautious about the proposal, with Pontieri and Sullivan noting there isn’t enough local data and that while many apartments are being constructed, it is unclear how many are “deed-restricted affordable” units. Hegedus explained that “there is a very clear distinction between affordable housing and apartments,” as affordable housing is restricted to lower incomes. Council members were concerned about taking funds that help repair homes for elderly residents. Staff will return with local data to the council.
The second change proposed amending the first-time homebuyer purchase assistance program, which provides down payment assistance and home repair funds. Staff proposed removing the income limit that only applied to first responders and public employees, relaxing resale restrictions and changing the maximum award percentage (the limit was an $80,000 purchase and a $30,000 home repair award). Council members agreed to expand the program to more residents, but debated the need for a listing requirement of around four to six months before a home would apply a simpler payback time rule to ensure homes remain affordable. The council provided guidance to bring the changes back with edits and data.
Land Development Code updates
Community Development staff provided updates on a lengthy list of Land Development Code changes, with a first reading of the ordinances on Sept. 15 and adoption Oct. 6.
One of the ordinances proposed designating data centers as a prohibited use, which would require a special exception and a supermajority (four of five) vote by the council in industrial zones to approve them. Staff explained a more detailed “tiered” category, allowing smaller and less impactful data facilities would follow. Pontieri pushed staff to move quickly on the issue, cautioning that the state may soon take away local authority: “The clock is ticking on our ability to govern this locally.”
Council members raised other concerns, with Pontieri opposing the allowance for staff to waive neighborhood meetings for residential projects and calling for language to be tightened. The council debated the issue of developers “piecemealing” projects, or breaking them up to avoid review, and asked staff to research potential solutions. Council members also debated the allowance of kennels, with Pontieri stating her position “It’s my position that kennels should not be permitted in an MPD,” with others adding that agricultural style large lot kennels may be different. Staff will amend the code to clear up confusion around kennels and to separate “pet boarding” from kennels. One member recalled how Flagler County made national headlines for puppy mills.
Protecting the fire department
Kyle Berryhill proposed an ordinance to prevent the transfer of the Palm Coast Fire Rescue Department without approval by the public. He provided history behind the department, explaining how it is “older than the city” and dates back to 1973 and that residents voted “two to one” to incorporate Palm Coast in 1999, primarily to control their own fire department. He highlighted that the department holds a strong ISO Class 2 rating, responded to 18,616 calls in the past year and has over a 90% approval rating in citizen surveys.
City Attorney Marcus Duffy explained the bill would require any effort to transfer or consolidate the Palm Coast Fire Rescue Department to be reviewed and voted on by the council and the ballot of residents (with exceptions such as mutual aid agreements and the sale of old equipment). Council members agreed that while there is no effort to change the Palm Coast Fire Rescue Department, it is good to have protections in place, especially with talk online of consolidating fire departments to save money under the state’s Amendment 3. Staff will provide an analysis on the feasibility of a fire assessment fee at the next business meeting.
Banning ‘toilet to tap’
The council reviewed an ordinance to ban ‘direct potable reuse’ or ‘toilet to tap’ from the city’s water system. City Attorney Duffy and Utility Director Mr. Roche explained the measure would prevent the city from constructing or funding ‘toilet to tap’ systems, though it would not apply to the use of reclaimed water for irrigation, agriculture, cooling and industrial purposes. Roche mentioned the city treats 10 million gallons of water and sends 99% to reclaimed use.
Council members agreed that there is no intent to use this method, but the ordinance “institutionalizes” the ban. Pontieri, who proposed the ban, mentioned how pilots are being discussed across the state and used that as an argument to preserve resources and prevent overdevelopment, stating “This is a way to protect from over development.”
Consolidating advisory boards
City Attorney Duffy recommended the elimination of the Beautification and Environmental Advisory Committee, created in 2000, and its responsibilities be consolidated to the new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Council members agreed, stating the move would reduce duplication and time for staff and may bring in more volunteers to the larger board.
Closing
Council members encouraged residents to attend events to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, including a stair climb at Hammock Beach and an evening candlelight vigil. Miller remarked “Every single child in our school system was not alive when that event occurred,” underlining the importance of teaching the event to children. The workshop concluded with Mayor and council members exchanging friendly banter about college football.
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