[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6239089,"mediaKeyId","3339926-a4f9d88c19575a75412d01ae300d3315","parentId",3339926,"title","Sebastian council advances mixed‑use zoning and several planning measures, sets May 28 second readings","audioSeconds",541,"startMs",3157000,"endMs",3698000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339926-a4f9d88c19575a75412d01ae300d3315&start=3157&end=3698","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339926-a4f9d88c19575a75412d01ae300d3315/thumbnail_3157000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6239089/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Sebastian-council-advances-mixeduse-zoning-and-several-planning-measures-sets-May-28-second-readings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239089-ec65a33ef4838b67dce7d440e0f5e740/orig.mp4?Expires=1773745604&Signature=mRZqJOpwhxSPFbIJyaXH8PJDlF1PlBCgw9H5-CzDoufWJNyL06b-uH5Sh7HmbUt~9BtQqNZXbT19dtbJCDSyjfYNtA6STXH2tPCajNRLUk2JFZRiEfN0tHr5gXYvXAe5tXbpF1C9iJoXk3-ahM84qawxY2ny-8ouhOQVzOkYupkBjq3lEjTIHyOsZ6s1sDZpdPEX8ajGh1RH79ZG5Jn-4ehsdJJqmz8YjCjvGtdcKyrUtiwoOFutzipnp-z7DnTojybBm4kPOdrt~N3LPOHsMl4XhwdmIaJKGC6QZReq0c8gH18cI~611PfqZ-kYBy5Ev7r1XvSwFqMDQNZDs8NoOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Sebastian, FL","date","2025-05-16T15:32:12.583Z","article","The City of Sebastian City Council voted May 14 to advance a package of land‑use measures, including a new mixed‑use zoning classification, a comprehensive plan map update, corrections to a prior annexation and a home‑based business code revision, and reappointed a planning commissioner.

The package matters because they update the city’s land‑use framework and clear the way for future development proposals: the mixed‑use district is intended to implement goals in Sebastian’s 2040 comprehensive plan, the map update corrects the city boundary to reflect a recent annexation, and the home‑based business change brings local code into alignment with state law.

At the meeting, city staff described the mixed‑use proposal as three new zoning districts: neighborhood mixed‑use (intended for developments of about 5 to 50 acres), community mixed‑use (50 to 100 acres) and regional mixed‑use (minimum 100 contiguous acres). The plan document presented by Anna Willis, a land planner with Kimley‑Horn, listed differing maximum heights, densities, building coverage, open‑space requirements and parking standards for each district; the presentation noted 38 permitted uses for the neighborhood district and up to 47 permitted uses for the regional district. For the regional district staff and the consultant said a 15% minimum open‑space requirement was proposed based on comparisons with other jurisdictions.

Council raised and resolved a use‑policy detail about drive‑through facilities. After discussion, council directed staff to amend the draft zoning language to remove the conditional‑use limitation on drive‑throughs in the neighborhood mixed‑use classification (making drive‑throughs permitted under the conditions the council directs) and set a second reading and public hearing on May 28. The motion to advance the ordinance (O‑25‑08) with that direction carried on a roll call vote with council members present voting yes.

Other planning items advanced at the same meeting included:
- Reappointment of Miss Battles to the Planning & Zoning Commission (no objections were recorded).
- Ordinance O‑25‑10, revising the city’s land development code language on home occupational licenses/home‑based business tax receipts to conform with Florida statute; council set a second reading and public hearing for May 28.
- Ordinance O‑25‑11, adopting an update to the 2040 comprehensive plan map series to accurately depict the city boundary after the Graves Brothers annexation; council approved the ordinance on first reading.
- Ordinance O‑25‑03, a second‑reading public hearing and approval of a voluntary annexation for a 0.9163‑acre portion of Industrial Park Boulevard (a private road north of 90 Ninth Street). Staff said the annexation is largely corrective — a legal description omission from 1987 — and that land‑use and rezoning hearings related to nearby development proposals are expected this summer.

City attorney read the ordinance titles aloud and staff answered council questions during the meeting; no members of the public spoke on the planning items during the hearings. Council set May 28 as the date for the second readings where indicated and approved the annexation and map update by unanimous vote of council members present.

Council members and staff said the changes are intended to align zoning with the goals in the comprehensive plan and to streamline review for prospective projects while preserving standards for buffers, setbacks and stepbacks in larger mixed‑use developments. Staff will return with amended code language and the second‑reading documents on May 28.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 14, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Sebastian City Council voted May 14 to advance a package of land‑use measures, including a proposed mixed‑use zoning classification, corrections to the city’s map series, a small annexation and a change to home‑based business rules; second readings were set for May 28 where required.","taxTitle","Sebastian , Indian River County, Florida","taxId",52013,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239079,"Residents raise boating safety and neighborhood traffic/park concerns during Sebastian council public input",454,2549000,3003000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339926-a4f9d88c19575a75412d01ae300d3315&start=2549&end=3003","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339926-a4f9d88c19575a75412d01ae300d3315/thumbnail_2549000.jpg","/articles/6239079/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Residents-raise-boating-safety-and-neighborhood-trafficpark-concerns-during-Sebastian-council-public-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239079-35bb02aea317edc5f7180bc452ffe111/orig.mp4?Expires=1773745604&Signature=gQnmdK8ANlpfRCgD8WBEZRJa2lpRYTGMGsiLiIjdxDuDStfTFTGRPIog8FRFx3A1lm7fwqj7nYsEJUq6lr6v2CWOArR4L2qw72ySuKv8JFQma7gQOZM1~wuNMWOKkp5J6ze60Tx3oLPoHQT391Tdc8srtRhUT68webOLETdiXdtcVUOYt69uQ4Vjj7uLtbDpK6qRLv6y9bkFmNAdKVh4pXMv6Mkew75TSRbF1cC5wAliCBoPOQPXeAtQJ16sjZGWGj5U5DujyxM8N2FxqoHPyN0HsuqAwP9yJJEvOsz8~OUr6uxdevgiHbnzNcwVSwyC9QZhYmHB23IDIITV~caKPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the May 14 meeting public comment period, two residents urged the City of Sebastian to take steps on separate safety issues — boating safety and local neighborhood enforcement.

Brent Wallenberg, who identified himself during the public comment period, urged awareness of boating fatalities and said many boating deaths are drownings that could be prevented by using life jackets and carrying distress equipment. He described using calcium carbonate sand in localized areas to neutralize acidic runoff and said, from his experience, that adding the material had helped seagrass recover. Wallenberg framed his remarks as suggestions for investing in emerging technologies and community education about boat safety.

Catherine Healy told council she has repeatedly reported problems on Schumann and Engler streets, including drag racing, mailbox and sign damage, and late‑night fights and disturbances at the tennis courts and park. She said she had called police when she heard a woman screaming and when someone appeared to be threatening self‑harm. Healy asked the council to consider physical changes — such as occasional speed bumps, signs showing speed, park closing hours (suggesting a 10 p.m. closing) and a gate — and asked for stronger monitoring and enforcement of park activity and drag racing. He told the council mailboxes in the area have been knocked down multiple times.

A council member acknowledged the complaints and said staff would look into enforcement in that area. No formal action was taken during the meeting; council’s response was to refer the concerns to city staff for follow‑up and potential enforcement or operational changes.","Two residents urged the council to address water‑safety education and local traffic/park safety: one urged broader safe‑boating measures and septic‑system approaches affecting seagrass; another described drag racing, mailbox damage and late‑night disturbances at a neighborhood park and asked for enforcement and restricted park hours.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239084,"Sebastian approves $832,286 Phase 3 paving purchase order; Barber Street work to start in June",285,4083000,4368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339926-a4f9d88c19575a75412d01ae300d3315&start=4083&end=4368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339926-a4f9d88c19575a75412d01ae300d3315/thumbnail_4083000.jpg","/articles/6239084/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Sebastian-approves-832286-Phase-3-paving-purchase-order-Barber-Street-work-to-start-in-June","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239084-aa14b7356023518c22c6e8d112461b6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773745604&Signature=BHp3F5FGpXM3q9AkJUqVMIw7HazXZtFyNsx3WnrhpTzoeDLCmqKp4njfl95zdTDosiMd~LmhJxcSi0Emwkg4jLTRewXmtQyCOACXAnB8GJn4TBl9hf-ZTaqLyi0VhXqAGwAIGnRaVdK0ErB3mDUqR5KZteUJDe7AD4EevwTaGR0~A7fnbP2RBPUE9--XqlBmsMr-Jy6icPI5T1ufAWtSKBY9U4bYESwgVjyU~l7V4fCJE3gO823vu5J0D4spnGSw6DRB4jMJVScCLLqwg3GIX0ax~qb52Vsi3fGkXGexkEY22vA2qluRwpEeo8nb7UOD~CryS06GOsl~15YQSO~~rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Sebastian City Council on May 14 authorized issuance of purchase orders not to exceed $832,286.63 for Phase 3 of the city’s road‑repaving and preservation program.

City staff told council the Phase 3 work is budgeted and the purchase order amount is below the budgeted allocation because of cost savings on swale work, driveway culverts and the paving portion of the contract. Staff estimated the work will be completed by June or early July.

At the meeting a council member explained how the project is funded: roughly $189,000 of the Phase 3 amount will come from the local option gas tax and about $642,000 from discretionary sales tax revenues allocated to the city (money collected from visitor and local spending and returned through county distributions). Council emphasized that these revenue sources, not property taxes, primarily pay for the repaving effort.

Public works staff provided a schedule and technical overview for Barber Street, saying work will begin in June and continue through July. The project will run from U.S. 1 to Acorn Drive and will include full‑depth reclamation (FDR) in areas where the base needs rebuilding. Staff explained FDR reuses existing pavement and base ingredients mixed with an emulsion to create a new consolidated base, which is then compacted and surfaced with asphalt; the method is designed to extend pavement life. Staff said the city will monitor milling depths and adjust work if the base is encountered.

Council approved the purchase order on a roll call vote of the members present. Staff noted paving costs have risen in recent years — roughly 40% higher than two years ago — which reduces how far paving dollars go. City staff said they will continue to manage the repaving schedule in phases so the program can be adjusted during budget cycles as needed.","Council authorized up to $832,286.63 for Phase 3 road paving, funded largely by local option gas tax and discretionary sales tax; city staff said Barber Street paving will start in June and use full‑depth reclamation (FDR) where needed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sebastian council advances mixed‑use zoning and several planning measures, sets May 28 second readings

Residents raise boating safety and neighborhood traffic/park concerns during Sebastian council public input

Sebastian approves $832,286 Phase 3 paving purchase order; Barber Street work to start in June