Cape Canaveral council weighs hotel growth, zoning limits and wastewater capacity under new state law

Council member Jackson opened a special City of Cape Canaveral meeting to discuss recent hotel development along the A1A corridor and whether the Economic Opportunity Overlay District (EOD), adopted in 2012, still reflects the community’s priorities.

Jackson summarized the EOD’s provisions: the overlay permits hotel uses on parcels with underlying C1, C2 or M1 zoning inside the overlay; it removes minimum lot-size requirements for hotels while imposing a 150-unit minimum to be constructed at once; it allows up to 80% lot coverage if setbacks, stormwater and landscaping standards are met; and it permits building heights to 6 stories or about 65 feet with appearance-board approval. "The EOD was established to encourage higher intensity hospitality and commercial activity along A1A," Jackson said, adding that the overlay was intended to capitalize on Port Canaveral’s growth.

Several council members and residents said the pattern of development has diverged from earlier community visioning. Mayor (speaker 1) and others said growth since 2012 has increased the city’s tax base but raised concerns about flooding, traffic and school enrollment trends.…