Cocoa council approves first reading of Uptown Forest future land‑use map amendment

The City of Cocoa on first reading approved Ordinance 10‑20‑25, a city‑initiated amendment to the Future Land Use Map that would change the designation of eight parcels along Forest Avenue in Uptown Cocoa Village from high‑density residential to mixed use.

City planning staff described the change as a “map cleanup” to resolve a long‑standing conflict between the parcels’ current zoning — core commercial (CC) and residential professional (RP) — and their future‑land‑use designation. The parcels total approximately 1.9 acres and sit on the east side of Forest Avenue between Peachtree Street and Mulberry Street.

Missus Webster, a city planner, told council the amendment would allow uses consistent with the mixed‑use designation and enable redevelopment without creating new nonconforming uses. She said the change would allow the existing allowed uses to continue and could support up to 25 dwelling units per acre, with a potential 5‑unit per acre bonus under current code provisions. The Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously on Oct. 1 to recommend approval.

Deputy Mayor Weeks asked whether any property owners opposed the change; Webster said none opposed after staff clarified the proposal and that the amendment would not create new nonconformities. Deputy Mayor Weeks moved to approve the first reading; Councilmember Hearn seconded. Council voted unanimously to approve first reading.

Why it matters: the amendment fixes an inconsistency that has limited property owners’ ability to develop or sell parcels by aligning the Future Land Use Map with the zoning that implements mixed use in Uptown Cocoa Village.

What’s next: This was the ordinance’s first reading. Staff said the amendment will be processed consistent with the comprehensive‑plan amendment procedures and subsequent adoption steps.