🌿 Edgewater, FL — In a bold affirmation of local governance, the City of Edgewater voted unanimously Monday night to join a growing coalition of Florida municipalities challenging Senate Bill 180—a sweeping state law that critics say strips cities of their authority to regulate land development and environmental protections.
The 4-0 vote by the Edgewater City Council positions the city alongside at least ten other local governments, including Deltona, Stuart, Alachua, and Manatee County, in a lawsuit spearheaded by attorney Jamie Cole of Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman. The coalition argues that SB 180 is unconstitutional, citing its retroactive nullification of local ordinances dating back to August 2024 and its blanket prohibition on moratoriums and zoning changes that could hinder development.
📸 Pictured: Patrick Fisher, Edgewater resident, attended the meeting and voiced support for the resolution.
Fisher, a longtime resident and vocal advocate for responsible growth, was among dozens who packed the council chambers to witness the vote. “This is about preserving our community’s voice,” he said. “We live here. We know what our neighborhoods need.”
The law, passed under the guise of aiding hurricane recovery, has been widely criticized for favoring developers and weakening local oversight. It prohibits municipalities from enacting any new regulations that could be considered “more restrictive or burdensome” until October 2027—effectively freezing local governments’ ability to respond to environmental or infrastructure concerns.
🌱 Among the most visible supporters of Edgewater’s resolution was Dream Green, a local environmental group known for its grassroots activism. Members wore green shirts and carried signs reading “Protect Our Wetlands” and “Local Voices Matter.” Their presence underscored the ecological stakes of the lawsuit, particularly in areas like Edgewater where stormwater management and flood mitigation are critical concerns.
“This law is a developer’s dream and a community’s nightmare,” said one Dream Green organizer. “We’re proud of Edgewater for standing up and saying enough is enough.”
The lawsuit, expected to be filed in mid-September, seeks a declaratory judgment and an injunction to halt enforcement of SB 180. Each participating city is contributing $10,000 toward legal fees, with an additional $20,000 set aside if the case moves to appeal.
Councilmember Charlotte Gillis, who introduced the resolution, called the vote “a stand for home rule and environmental justice.” Mayor Diezel DePew echoed the sentiment, stating, “We’re not just joining a lawsuit—we’re defending our right to govern responsibly.”
Edgewater’s decision comes on the heels of its earlier defiance of SB 180, when the council voted to maintain two local moratoriums despite the law’s mandate to repeal them. Monday’s vote solidifies the city’s position as a leader in the resistance against what many see as an overreach by Tallahassee.
As the legal battle unfolds, Edgewater’s residents and allies are bracing for a long fight—but one they believe is worth waging.
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