Council approves Lennar development to convert 17 city lots into 32 affordable homes in Diamond Square

The Cocoa City Council voted to approve a development agreement and purchase-and-sale agreement with Lennar Homes on April 22 to build 32 affordable single-family homes on about 2.83 acres in the Michael C. Blake subdivision in the Diamond Square Community Redevelopment Area.

Staff presented the agreement after the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval. The developer will purchase 17 existing city parcels and subdivide them into 32 lots. Most homes will be two-story designs approximately 1,295–1,684 square feet; two lots will be designed for a single-story model of about 1,840 square feet. Units will have a minimum of three bedrooms and at least two bathrooms.

As part of the agreement the council approved several zoning modifications for this project in the Diamond Square area: minimum lot sizes reduced from 7,500 to 3,515 square feet, minimum lot width reduced from 75 feet to 37 feet, minimum depth reduced to 95 feet, and maximum lot coverage increased from 30% to 50% while keeping overall impervious area below 70% as required by code. The typical two‑story homes will include a single-car garage plus a two‑car driveway (capacity described by staff as three parked cars per lot).

The developer committed up to $175,000 to install enhanced landscaping, decorative fencing and playground equipment at the Harry T. Moore Center; the agreement ties completion of those improvements to a mid‑build milestone (prior to issuance of the 17th certificate of occupancy).

The project is structured as restricted homeownership to serve households defined as "very low, low or moderate income" under Florida statute section 420.0004 and HUD definitions; the agreement requires that buyers be income‑qualified and notes that homebuyer assistance programs used by purchasers will carry a 20‑year affordability/homeownership requirement. Staff said the city would select the third‑party consultant to perform income qualification.

During the public hearing several residents raised concerns about density, two‑story homes adjacent to existing one‑story houses and possible parking impacts. Resident Shamika Adams said she had expected single‑story homes and told council, “I feel like it's invading my privacy,” and asked that the plan be revised to fewer or single‑story houses. Staff and the city manager responded that the lot pattern and funding model required the proposed product and that the city had previously owned the lots for many years and issued an RFP to develop them as affordable housing.

Deputy Mayor Weeks moved to approve the development agreement and purchase‑and‑sale agreement; the council approved the measure unanimously.

Staff said the developer will be required to provide income verification, architecture elevations and to meet site plan and permitting requirements. Final building permits and plats will follow separate planning and permitting steps; the public will receive notices for those subsequent planning hearings as required by code.

The agreement also sets building and timing expectations: Lennar will stage construction; staff said the build‑out schedule calls for phased permits and completion of the subdivision within 15 months of final site‑plan approval.