RS-3, Single Family Residential District. Ms. Thurman displayed the location of
the former citrus grove which was adjacent to the Captain Forster Hammock
Preserve, and bordered the Jungle Trail. The report continued to note consistency
with the County's Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Designation, and
confirmed the parcel met the criteria outlined in Chapter 902.12 (3), County Land
Development Regulations (LDRs); development requirements would be
determined at a later stage. The presentation concluded with recommendations
from the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff to approve the request.
The Board entered into discussion with Ms. Thurman and Chris Balter, Chief of
Long Range Planning. Confirmation was received that the Island Manor parcel
could be purchased by the ELAP even if the parcel was rezoned. Commissioner
Moss raised concerns with subsections (h) and (j) under County LDR 902.12
(3). In conversation with staff, the options to survey and mitigate possible
wetlands were detailed. Discussion was had regarding what constituted a danger
to the public's wellbeing, noting there was not a threat to the health, safety or
welfare to the public by rezoning the parcel. It was also noted that changing the
zoning from the existing A-1 would make the property consistent with the
County's Comprehensive Plan.
The Applicant's representative, Ryan McLean, Project Manager at MBV
Engineering, appeared before the Board to answer any questions. He noted the
developer was requesting a lower density zoning of RS-3 instead of the maximum
RS-6 density allowable under the property's L-2 land use designation.
Island Club residents Robert and Beth Shapiro provided their reasons for
opposing development of the parcel and spoke in support of the ELAP
purchasing the land for conservation.
Closing comments from the Board included details of the ELAP purchase
process, consistency of the request with the Comprehensive Plan, the processes
in place between rezoning and development, and that the rezoning request met all
the County's requirements. Commissioner Moss restated her opposition based on
adverse impacts to the environment and conflict with the public interest.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Flescher, seconded by Commissioner
Loar, to approved staff's recommendation and adopt Ordinance 2024-007,
amending the Zoning Ordinance and the accompanying zoning map for
approximately ±19.65 acres located on the north side of Island Club Manor
approximately one-quarter of a mile west of Highway A1A, and terminating at
the eastern boundary of the Indian River, from A-1, Agricultural-1 to RS-3,
Single-family Residential, and providing codification, severability, and
effective date The motion carried by the following vote:
4 -
Aye:
Nay:
Chairman Adams, Vice Chairman Flescher, Commissioner Earman, and
Commissioner Loar
1 - Commissioner Moss
