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Commission approves Oceans Unite Christian Center site plan for church and limited daycare
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a major site plan and administrative permit for Oceans Unite Christian Center to construct a 70,000‑square‑foot church with accessory daycare (limited to church hours); staff recommended conditions covering landscaping, lighting, sidewalks and required turn‑lane improvements.
The Indian River County Planning and Zoning Commission on April 9 approved a major site plan and administrative permit use for Oceans Unite Christian Center, clearing the way for a new worship facility and accessory childcare limited to church operating hours.
Staff described the site (west of 66th Avenue, north of 53rd Street), noting the project includes a roughly 70,000 square‑foot main building, seven ancillary structures to support operations and parking (both paved and grass‑stabilized spaces for overflow), three stormwater ponds, and required right‑of‑way improvements including a right‑turn lane on 53rd Street and sidewalks. The daycare was characterized as an accessory use limited to established church hours; a standalone school would require separate special‑exception review.
John Blum of LJA Engineering and architect Austin Dingwall answered commissioner questions about building materials and elevations; Dingwall said the proposal uses a pre‑manufactured metal building with a membrane roof system and that conceptual elevations and plans had been submitted and coordinated with building and fire officials. Staff recommended approval with conditions covering final landscape and lighting plans, tree protection, and installation of off‑site improvements.
A motion to approve staff recommendations passed, recorded in the transcript with one commissioner opposed. The approval is conditioned on the final engineering and design items in the staff report and on completion of required off‑site improvements before certificates of occupancy where applicable.
What happens next: the applicant will finalize construction drawings and secure permits; any future request to operate a school on the site would require additional county review and a special‑exception process.
