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Residents urge Satellite Beach planning board to keep Park Avenue parcel residential
Summary
Neighbors and residents told the Planning and Advisory Board they oppose reclassifying 1253 A1A from residential mixed use to commercial, citing pedestrian safety at the nearby Park Avenue beach access, limited parking, neighborhood character and precedent concerns; the board discussed options and made a recommendation to leave a related parcel unchanged.
The Satellite Beach Planning and Advisory Board heard strong opposition from neighbors Tuesday over a petition to change the land-use designation and zoning for 1253 A1A (Park Avenue) from RM-3 (residential mixed use) to commercial.
"I'm requesting on behalf of the residents that the property zoning is not altered," said Russell Green, a neighbor at 5 Park Avenue, noting the site sits adjacent to a busy pedestrian beach access. He warned that commercial zoning could increase traffic near walkers, joggers and children and set a precedent for similar nearby lots.
Stephanie Hill, who said she represents nearby homeowners Joan and Bobby Morris, told the board she counted multiple vacant commercially zoned lots within a half-mile and argued that existing commercial inventory and seasonal beach traffic make additional commercial zoning unnecessary. "Any extra traffic would definitely put a damper on things," she said.
Daniel Genovese, a longtime Park Avenue resident, cited permitting records that show a 1993 commercial building permit and said the parcel has long had small commercial uses; he nonetheless warned that rezoning could permit larger redevelopment in the future. "We fear there's going to be something in the way of a building that's more imposing than a benefit to our great city," Genovese said.
City staff member Carl explained the reasoning behind the request and the practical limits the site imposes. He noted the lot’s small size, setbacks, stormwater and parking requirements would restrict intensive uses and that the site currently has limited on-site parking. "If you don't have the land to do it with the parking and that type of thing, it's not gonna fly," he said.
Board members pressed staff on when commercial activity began at the site and whether the board could recommend a Binding Development Plan to limit future uses. Members also said the applicant’s absence made it harder to answer neighbors’ questions and discussed tabling the matter to allow the applicant to appear. The board emphasized that its role is advisory and that any change would still go to city council.
A motion to not recommend the first rezoning was placed on the record, and for a closely related parcel (PAV 0.09-19) the board voted to leave the zoning as-is. The board did not take a final council-level action on 1253 A1A; staff and council remain the authorities to enact zoning changes.
The board noted next steps could include asking the applicant to attend a future meeting, or forwarding its recommendation to city council to act on the comprehensive-plan and zoning amendments.
