County Approves Sale of Easement to Wireless Edge for Sea Oaks Communication Tower

The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners convened on August 19, 2025, to discuss the sale of an easement and property related to a communications tower. The meeting began with a presentation by James Kennedy, who facilitated the negotiations for the sale. The proposed transaction aims to maintain wireless communication access for the beach area while allowing the county to recoup its investment made in 1988 and return the land to the Sea Oaks community.

The board discussed the necessity of the easement for Wireless Edge, the company interested in purchasing it, and emphasized that the county does not require the land for its own use. The staff recommended approving the sale of the easement, which would enable the finalization of the sale of the property back to Sea Oaks.

Commissioners reflected on the history of the property, noting that it previously housed a wastewater treatment plant, which has since been decommissioned. The county's only current use for the land is to host the communications tower. The board expressed satisfaction with the negotiated agreement, highlighting the opportunity to sell the property twice—first as an easement and then as a fee simple sale to Sea Oaks.

During discussions, concerns were raised about the type of tower structure that would be permitted. The board expressed a preference for a monopole design rather than a lattice structure, which they believe would be more appropriate for the area. Although there was no formal agreement on this condition, the board hoped Wireless Edge would accommodate their request.

After thorough deliberation, the board unanimously approved the motion to proceed with the sale, thanking all parties involved for their efforts in reaching this agreement. The meeting concluded with a commitment to finalize the transaction promptly, ensuring the interests of both the county and the Sea Oaks community are met.