TO: Honorable Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: Commission Office
FROM: Commissioner Joseph H. Earman, District III
DATE: 01/29/2026
SUBJECT: Discussion of Waterway Village 18-Acre Property & Potential Workforce Housing Use
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BACKGROUND
On July 1, 2008, Indian River County (“County”) conveyed an 18-acre parcel of land to the Indian River School District (“School District”) for use as a school. The deed includes language that states that if the School District fails to construct a school on the property within 20 years from the date of the conveyance, the property shall revert to the County for use as public open space or a park. The property is located on 58th Avenue in Vero Beach - parcel #32-39-21-00001-0010-00001.1.
The County received the 18-acre parcel from DiVosta Homes, LP, (now Pulte Home Company LLC), as part of a 2005 Developer Agreement for Waterway Village, which is a Development of Regional Impact consisting of up to 1,596 residential dwelling units, community recreation improvements, and up to 20,000 square feet of neighborhood commercial uses.
The School District has not constructed a school on the 18-acres, and it is my understanding that it does not intend to use the land. The property is scheduled to revert to the County on July 1, 2028.
I would like to have a discussion with the Commission about utilizing the 18 acres for workforce housing for public sector employees. According to discussions with the County Administrator, the School District may be willing to convey the property back to the County before 2028 if School District employees are given priority consideration for the housing.
The County Attorney has advised me that attainable workforce housing is a public benefit, and the Commission has the authority to remove language in the deed restricting the property for use as a park or open space and instead designate the property for workforc...
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