Planning commission unanimously approves Mavis Tire site plan at Publix Plaza

The Sebastian City Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a site plan and conditional use permit for a Mavis Tire & Brakes maintenance center at 9641 US Highway 1 during its March 19 meeting.

Applicant representative Emma Zions said the proposal is for an outparcel at Publix Plaza on a 0.9-acre lot. She described a building just under 5,000 square feet with six service bays, 25 on-site parking spaces (exceeding the 17 spaces required by city code), and a turf-and-shrub landscaping plan tying into the master drainage system. "We are meeting all of the code requirements based on the City of Sebastian land development code," Zions said, adding the site will be 70% impervious—below the master system's 80% maximum—and that all vehicle work and scrap-tire storage would occur inside the building.

Planning staff recommended approval, with the condition that any signage proposed on building elevations be applied for through the building-permit process after site-plan approval. "Staff does recommend approval of the site plan for Mavis Tire located at 9641 US Highway 1," staff told the commission, and said it would follow up on outstanding items raised by commissioners.

Commissioners and the project engineer, Kayla Dedrick, questioned whether the location would be a corporate or franchise store; Dedrick said it would be a corporate store. Commissioners also raised accessibility concerns: one commissioner asked whether the single proposed handicap parking space could be increased to two or three to better serve local needs. Dedrick said the applicant would "look into" adding spaces, and staff said requiring additional spaces beyond code would normally require a site modification but could be handled administratively if the commission added it as a condition.

A resident who spoke during the meeting praised the plan and suggested offering a small shuttle or cart for customers to visit nearby restaurants while waiting; the applicant said no tires would be displayed or stored outside. Commissioners also asked staff to confirm whether certain tree species meet the city's canopy-tree definition and whether the FDOT turn lane queuing for the Barber Street/US 1 intersection was adequate; staff said an environmental planner would verify canopy status and that the turn lane was constructed to meet queuing standards.

Commissioner (speaker 3) moved to approve the site plan development and conditional use permit for Mavis Tire & Brakes at 9641 US Highway 1, including the signage-permit condition; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously on roll call.

The commission also approved a minor correction to the minutes of its Feb. 5, 2026 meeting earlier in the agenda. The commission indicated staff will follow up on unresolved items (sidewalk connectivity and signage detail) before final permitting.