The Planning and Zoning Board on Oct. 7 recommended the City Commission rezone roughly 54.7 upland acres of the Fish Island property near State Road 312 to a government-use zoning designation, aligning zoning with the property’s recreation and open-space comprehensive-plan designation.

Planning Director Amy Skinner summarized the proposal: when the comprehensive-plan update was adopted in 2020 the State of Florida then purchased much of the Fish Island tract and the land-use map designated the site for recreation and open space. Portions of the property, however, still carried older commercial or residential office zoning. The city is now seeking to rezone the entire Fish Island parcel to a single government-use classification consistent with the park-management plan the city administers.

Nut graf: The rezoning is a cleanup measure that aligns zoning with the property’s current public-park use and the city’s management plan; staff said the change does not expand development rights and will keep the area under government and conservation-oriented management.

No members of the public spoke in opposition; one resident asked if the rezoning implies immediate physical changes. Skinner said the action is a zoning cleanup and that the city will continue to manage the land per its existing management plan. Board members familiar with the property supported the recommendation.

Action: The board voted to recommend City Commission approval of rezoning approximately 54.67 upland acres in the vicinity of State Road 312 from commercial medium and residential/general office categories to government-use zoning.

Ending: The item will go to the City Commission for final approval; staff said management will continue under the existing recreation and open-space plan and there are no plans to alter the area’s public‑use status.