Board recommends PUD changes to bar pedestrian bridge and set hotel parking minimums in Silicon Coast North

The Satellite Beach Planning Advisory Board voted Dec. 1 to recommend approval of proposed amendments to the Silicon Coast North Planned Unit Development that would prohibit permanent concessions on the beach and ban overhead pedestrian bridges connecting hotel parcels to the east side of Highway A1A, and that would formalize parking minimums for condos and hotel units.

City staff said the amendments update language in city code sections included in the meeting packet and reflect details from the project’s approved conceptual plan (Resolution 10-24, approved Nov. 6, 2019). Staff explained the changes would prohibit concession stands on or at the beach and prevent overhead pedestrian bridges from being constructed from anywhere within the PUD, including hotel parcels east of Highway A1A. The staff presentation also set minimum parking requirements: two parking spaces per condominium unit, one parking space per hotel sleeping unit and one parking space per hotel employee on the largest shift; staff noted the hotel pad length is 440 feet in the conceptual plan.

An applicant representative said the current property owner no longer favors a proposed pedestrian bridge (sometimes described as a SkyBridge), citing potential loss of parking at Hightower Beach Park, Brevard County permitting requirements and elevator maintenance and safety concerns. "The current property owner does not want to do that SkyBridge," the representative said and asked that ordinance language be consistent with the approved conceptual plan.

A motion to approve PAB 25-07 as recommended was seconded and carried on roll call. Recorded Aye votes included Ben Glover, Kevin Finnegan, Allen Lamote, Steven Terry and David Delighten. The board then approved the Oct. 20 minutes and adjourned.

No appeals, council scheduling or implementation dates were discussed during the meeting.