Cocoa council approves final plat to subdivide former Sears site for future commercial parcel and multifamily development

The Cocoa City Council on Feb. 25 approved the final subdivision plat for a 15.74-acre parcel, splitting the site into two lots — Lots 1A and 1B — to enable future commercial development adjacent to an already‑approved 280‑unit multifamily project.

City planner Lucy (last name not specified) told the council the site was originally approved in 2021 as a planned unit development under "ordinance 3 dash 02/2021," and that the mixed‑use development agreement recorded in March 2021 reserved a 2.25‑acre commercial parcel while clearing 13.4 acres for a multifamily phase. She said the city’s consultants and a third‑party surveyor found the final plat to be in substantial compliance with Chapter 18 (Subdivisions) and appendix A of city zoning regulations.

The final plat formalizes two lots to facilitate the commercial phase described in the PUD and must be recorded with the clerk of the circuit court of Brevard County within 30 days of council approval, a staff condition the council included in its vote. That condition appeared in the staff presentation and was repeated during the hearing by Lucy.

The approval followed brief public comment from a resident who expressed concern about stormwater runoff and traffic stemming from nearby development. The resident asked whether the subdivision plan included stormwater controls such as vegetated retention areas to capture parking‑lot contaminants and whether the city had accounted for cumulative traffic impacts. Council members and staff replied that the project was designed to meet stormwater collection standards and that prior approvals and site plans addressed those technical requirements.

Councilmember Carlson, speaking after the public comment period, said the project is a redevelopment of previously cleared land and noted the applicant had met required stormwater standards. No amendments to the staff recommendation were offered.

The motion to approve the final subdivision plat was made from the floor by the chair and seconded; the council voted unanimously to approve. The vote record as reported during the meeting was "ayes have it unanimously." The recorded staff condition requires the final plat be recorded within 30 days.

The property sits along State Road 524, south of State Road 528 and west of Industry Road, an area that already contains the previously approved Cirrus multifamily phase and a commercial frontage along 524. The finalized plat splits an area formerly occupied by a national retailer into a multi‑lot configuration intended to support the approved apartment phase and future retail or professional services uses. The council did not authorize any specific commercial tenant or development plan at Tuesday’s meeting.

Planning staff said the project advances comprehensive‑plan policies encouraging mixed‑use design, walkability and efficient land use under the PUD designation.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the final subdivision plat for "Series Subdivision (Sears Subdivision)" with the staff condition that the recorded plat be filed within 30 days; the vote was unanimous.

Officials and participants identified during this agenda item included Lucy (city planner), Mayor Michael C. Blake, Deputy Mayor Weeks, Councilmember Hearn, Councilmember Goins, Councilmember Koss, Councilmember Kalls and City Manager Witten. A member of the public who identified himself as a long‑time resident (Mr. Ford/Ford, card not filed) also participated during public comment.