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Commission recommends rezoning 1188 Lakeshore Drive to form-based urban residential; utility easement and CSX crossing raised as conditions
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended rezoning 1188 Lakeshore Drive from Lakefront Recreation to a form-based urban residential district, with commissioners and staff noting that securing utility crossings under a former CSX easement is a precondition to develop the parcel.
The Planning Commission voted to recommend that 1188 Lakeshore Drive be rezoned from Lakefront Recreation to the Form-Based Code urban residential district, subject to the applicant’s work to secure utility access across a former CSX easement.
Planning staff described the parcel as about 1.6 acres, much of which is under or seaward of the ordinary high-water mark and therefore limited in developable area. Staff explained that access to public water and sewer could require permission to cross a former railroad easement owned by CSX and that the applicant would need to determine how to bring utilities onto the site; staff suggested conditions that the applicant obtain permission to install necessary utilities within a set timeframe and that the zoning revert if infrastructure access is not obtained.
Applicant/developer said he is under contract with a closing date in mid-July and that CSX approval is the key outstanding item; he reported outreach with the marina for an access easement and said he will pursue engineering and legal work to secure crossings. Members of the Lakeshore Yacht Harbor co-owners association and nearby slip owners spoke in support of residential redevelopment and said they would prefer a single-family residence or green-space outcome to other possible uses. A local resident with long experience in environmental health and shoreline issues told the commission the site has historical dredge/fill and groundwater contamination concerns and urged careful testing and utility planning.
After public comment and commission discussion the panel moved to recommend rezoning to form-based code urban residential to the City Commission; the motion passed on roll-call vote. Staff reiterated the practical obstacles (CSX easement, utility hookups, shoreline/high-water constraints) and advised that commercial or denser development would be limited by the site’s physical constraints.
