Satellite Beach board recommends mixed-use future land-use designation for South Patrick Drive site, caps density at 7 units/acre

At a special meeting the City of Satellite Beach local planning agency voted to recommend a small-scale future land use map amendment for 1071 South Patrick Drive to permit a proposed development that would include commercial uses and 44 townhomes.

Erica, a staff member, told the board that the future land use map functions as the comprehensive-plan "umbrella" for permitted development and can supersede zoning when the two are inconsistent. "The future land use map always supersedes the zoning map because the zoning map is under the umbrella of the comprehensive plan," Erica said, and recommended approval. She added, "Staff's recommending approval of the small scale future land use map amendment because it's consistent with the criteria identified in the Florida statutes."

The application would change the property from the current "commercial and services" designation to "general mixed use," which staff said allows grouping neighboring buildings across separate parcels (supporting separate townhome lots alongside commercial parcels), whereas the current designation limits mixed uses to the same parcel. Staff also noted that the proposed plan requires subdivision (townhomes with separate property lines), and the review to date examined impacts assuming a maximum of 7 dwelling units per acre.

The board moved to recommend approval with the staff condition limiting maximum density on the site to 7 dwelling units per acre. The motion passed by voice vote: Cindy Kane — Aye; Allen Wood — Aye; Steven Terry — Aye; Ben Glover — Aye; David DeWyatt — Aye.

Erica told the board that ordinances that increase density would be subject to the city charter's referendum requirements, and that the small-scale map amendment qualifies under staff criteria because it is less than 50 acres, is not in an area of critical concern, and does not include a text amendment.

The board's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration; staff presentation materials and the staff report include additional consistency analysis and impact review done at the 7-dwelling-units-per-acre level.