Planning and Zoning Commission recommends rezoning 9.24 acres to RM8 for Laurel Homes

The Indian River County Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 11 voted to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners approve a rezoning request from Laurel Homes Incorporated to change approximately 9.24 acres at 6700 16th Street from A1 (agricultural) to RM8 (multifamily residential).

Senior planner Lawrence Andrews presented the staff report, saying the requested RM8 zoning is consistent with the property's M1 medium-density residential future land use designation and with surrounding zoning. "The requested RMA zoning district is compatible with the surrounding area, consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the county's adopted comprehensive plan, is consistent with the county's land development regulations, is deemed suitable for the subject part of property and is supported by staff," Andrews said.

Andrews told commissioners the parcel sits within the county's urban service area in the SR 60 corridor, near Central Assembly of God Church, Indian River State College and the Indian River Mall. Staff reviewed applicable criteria in Chapter 902.12 of county code and found no conflicts with the Land Development Regulations, noted consistency with comprehensive-plan policies (staff cited policies 1.13, 1.4, 1.43 and 2.2), and said concurrency for utilities will be reviewed during development review. Andrews said a more detailed environmental and site-specific analysis will be required when and if a specific development proposal is submitted.

Commissioners asked how the county balances conversion of agricultural land inside the urban service area; staff responded that much of the county's agricultural zoning lies outside the urban service boundary, and that the parcels in this corridor have been transitioning to more urban uses. At a question about likely housing type, staff said the RM8 district allows multifamily types including townhomes, duplexes, apartments and condominiums. Assistant acting Planning and Development Service Director Ryan Sweeney noted that staff has approval authority only for projects of up to 24 units; projects at or above the maximum density (8 units per acre, or roughly 73 units on 9.24 acres) would return to the commission for site-plan or development review.

John Belum of Carter Associates, representing Laurel Homes, and members of the Robinson family were present. Belum said he had no formal presentation beyond answering questions. Following public comment, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of staff's recommendation; the commission voted in favor.

The record shows the rezoning request met the county's stated criteria for consistency with the comprehensive plan and land development regulations; required utility, concurrency and site-specific environmental reviews remain for any future development application. The Board of County Commissioners will consider the rezoning request at a later meeting.