Council approves first-reading modification to River Club PRD to allow single-family homes

The Town of Indian River Shores council, acting in a quasi-judicial capacity, voted unanimously March 26, 2025, on the first reading of Ordinance No. 578 to modify the planned residential development (PRD) for the River Club (Tract UA) to permit single-family homes rather than the existing multifamily designation.

The council opened the quasi-judicial hearing, requested disclosures of any ex parte contacts and asked participants to be sworn for testimony. Applicant representatives presented a conceptual plan and zoning parameters. Steve Moller, a professional engineer with Masteller Moller representing the applicant (Mr. Mikulski), said the request is "a conceptual PRD modification for tract UA to allow it to be developed with single family rather than the multifamily that's on there today." He described proposed zoning parameters and noted site plan details would return to staff for technical review.

The River Club Homeowners Association submitted a memorandum outlining concerns and offered comments through a representative, who told the council the HOA is "generally in support of the PRD modification" but emphasized concerns about how the development will appear from A1A and the need to preserve green screening and landscaped buffers. The HOA representative said the community would work with the developer and the town to coordinate construction access and architectural standards.

Applicant and staff discussed four specific concerns raised by the HOA during the hearing: a proposed 15-foot rear-yard setback on lots east of the new road (reduced because a 50-foot buffer begins at the project's east property line and yields a 65-foot separation to the nearest dwelling), proposed construction access across Old Winter Beach Road (a county road requiring county permission for temporary construction crossing), emergency vehicle turnaround and compliance with HOA architectural standards. The applicant's team said they had met with fire staff and expected the proposed turnarounds would meet emergency access requirements; they also reported discussions with the HOA about temporary construction access and were pursuing county permitting where required.

Council members said the issues are largely ones that will be resolved administratively when the final site plan is submitted to the building department. After hearing presentations and public commentary, the council moved and seconded approval of the first reading; a roll-call vote recorded Mayor Foley and council members Atwater, Carroll, Alteri and Dane as "Aye," and the motion passed unanimously. The town attorney clarified that this action constituted a first reading vote on the ordinance and that no further quasi-judicial hearing would be required before the second reading.