Pedestrians and bicyclists are often left in the dust when it comes to zoning rules and regulations. According to certain urban planning experts, the state of Florida is -- in some ways -- worse than other states in this regard.However, this could change as the...
If you drive south from Cocoa along the Florida coast for a couple of hours, you come to Jupiter. The city is home to former congressman Patrick Murphy, who recently penned an op-ed extolling our state's resilience in the face of Hurricane Irma.Murphy wrote that...
The damage done by Hurricane Irma to Cocoa, Brevard County and many parts of Florida was extensive. It is understood that rebuilding houses, businesses, roads and more will take a lot of money, effort and time.Some experts question whether rebuilding is always a good...
Management expert Dale Dauten said that "Bureaucracy gives birth to itself and then expects maternity benefits." It is certainly true that most long-time Brevard County residents can remember when life and government processes were simpler and easier to navigate.If...
When you finally find that home that seems just right for your needs and budget, it can seem like its too good to be true — and it just might be, depending on the plans you have for the home and the property.Many pieces of real estate carry easements, which are...
Communities across Florida are assessing damage done by Hurricane Irma. We urge readers to support relief efforts and lend a helping hand when possible. Florida communities are also returning to the business that was at hand before the storm struck, which in many...
It is more than 2,500 miles from Cocoa, Florida, to Meridian, Idaho. You might well wonder why we bring up this apparently obscure bit of trivia. The explanation lies in a recent article about the departure from Meridian of a city planner.The planner and his wife are...
If you're facing a zoning issue relating to a property, it could negatively affect your business's ability to operate. Your alleged violations of zoning laws could also result in stiff fines.Imagine you bought a property that you thought was zoned for commercial use....
Florida counties and cities face difficult, interesting choices on medical marijuana. Early this summer, state legislators put in place regulations that give local officials a take-it-or-leave-it option regarding marijuana.Cities and counties can either ban medical...
When developers and city leaders convene a press conference to announce construction of a new project, it is done with big smiles and high hopes. We have seen many such announcements here in Cocoa that led to improvements in our city's economy, culture and...