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Neighbors urge council to inspect Indian River corridor site ahead of hearing on proposed seven-home project
Summary
Property owners near the Indian River corridor urged the Cocoa council to inspect a seven-home proposal and consider flooding and sewer impacts, saying recent widening of US 1 and other development have worsened drainage; council members urged the issue be raised at the formal quasi-judicial hearing and disclosed per process rules.
Neighbors of a site along the Indian River corridor told the Cocoa City Council on March 24 they are concerned about flooding and failing infrastructure tied to a prospective seven-home development that will come before planning and zoning in April.
Stan Lampy, who said he lives adjacent to the parcel, described chronic standing water, artesian wells and increased flooding tied to the widening of U.S. 1 and other recent development. "We invite you to come to our property. We invite you to come with your hip boots," Lampy said, urging council members and staff to tour the site ahead of the quasi-judicial hearing.
Lampy said the planning-and-zoning review is scheduled for April 1 and the council hearing for April 14. City staff and the council's attorney reminded residents that a quasi-judicial application requires disclosure of ex parte communications and that fairness to the applicant requires that the formal hearing be the venue for deliberations of merit.
Council members said they would coordinate with the city manager and staff, encouraged the residents to participate in the upcoming hearings, and stressed that the council must follow quasi-judicial disclosure rules if members visit the site or have communications before the hearings.
The council did not take a formal action at the March 24 meeting; residents said they will continue to gather neighbors and ask council members and staff to inspect the property before the scheduled hearings.
