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Board rezones 36‑acre parcel to Con‑3 after Indian River Land Trust purchase
Summary
The county approved a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning request to change a roughly 35.7‑acre property to Con‑3 conservation to meet Florida Communities Trust reimbursement conditions and preserve the land for passive recreation.
The Board unanimously approved a request to amend the comprehensive plan future land use map from Rural Residential to Con‑3 Conservation and to rezone roughly 35.73 acres from A‑1 Agricultural to Con‑3 Conservation after the Indian River Land Trust purchased the parcel using funding conformance with the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) program.
Patrick Murphy, chief of long‑range planning, told commissioners the site contains old‑growth cypress, mature oaks and native upland habitat, with a natural watercourse crossing the property. Murphy said FCT reimbursement requires the parcel be zoned for public conservation. The land trust’s application notes a planned 0.6‑mile nature trail, a wildlife observation platform, a picnic pavilion and interpretive signage are long‑term goals for public access.
Ken Gruden, executive director of the Indian River Land Trust, described the property as part of a broader Sebastian River Greenway strategy to connect conserved parcels between County Road 510 and County Road 512 for passive recreation and habitat protection. Gruden said the land trust intends to connect the parcel to adjacent conserved lands and trailheads; he noted legal access currently exists by easement and the long‑term plan is to tie the parcel to other parcels that will host trailhead parking and public access.
Staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval. Commissioners voted 5‑0 to adopt the land‑use map amendment and rezone the property to Con‑3.
Clarifying facts on the record: staff identified the parcel size as approximately 35.73 acres; future plans include a 0.6‑mile nature trail and passive recreational uses consistent with Con‑3 zoning; the change is a condition of reimbursement from Florida Communities Trust.
