Council approves first reading to rezone Hollywood–Eber parcels, excludes narrow edge strips

West Melbourne City Council on March 18 approved first reading of an ordinance to rezone most of three parcels at the northeast and southeast corners of Hollywood Boulevard and Eber Boulevard from RA (residential agricultural) to C1A (professional office and services), while excluding two narrow strips on the north and south edges that city staff advised be designated residential and rezoned within six months.

The decision ends a months‑long review that began after the city discovered a mapping discrepancy originating in a 1990 comprehensive plan ordinance. The rezoning aligns zoning with a commercial future land‑use designation that staff said was adopted when the property was annexed in 1990. Councilmember Frampus made the motion for the first reading (option B as presented by staff) and to require the two narrow strips be rezoned to residential within six months; Councilmember Soltz seconded. The vote was 7-0.

City planning staff explained that the three parcels total roughly 44 acres, and that a review of the 1990 ordinance (Ordinance 90‑28) and recent surveys found gaps along the northern and southern boundaries. Staff described the gaps as a little over 1 acre on the north side and about 2.3 acres on the south side; a surveyor working for the applicant measured the north strip at about 45–50 feet wide and…