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Commission approves first reading to rezone Manor Lane site after applicant cuts units and proffers limits
Summary
On first reading the commission approved rezoning 6540 Manor Lane from RT‑6 to RT‑18 after the applicant reduced units from six to five, proffered two‑story/35‑foot height, at‑least two parking spaces per unit and a prohibition on short‑term rentals under 30 days; neighbors objected over tree removals and traffic.
The City Commission on May 6 conducted a quasi‑judicial public hearing and approved on first reading an ordinance to rezone property at 6540 Manor Lane from Duplex Residential (RT‑6) to Townhouse Residential (RT‑18), following changes the applicant made to address neighbors’ concerns.
Senior planner Craig Pinder summarized site modifications since the April hearing: the total number of units was reduced from six to five, each unit will have garage parking designed to accommodate two vehicles per unit (applicant later described these as double garages), on‑street parking was removed from the proposal and the overall massing was split into two smaller buildings to reduce scale. Pinder recommended approval, saying the revised plan was consistent with city code.
Applicant Javier Font told commissioners he met with adjacent neighbors, moved the driveway to reduce impacts on the neighbor, and committed in a proffered covenant to limit height to two stories (35 feet), to provide a minimum of two on‑site parking spaces per unit, to prohibit rentals of less than 30 days and to mitigate or replace trees removed by planting on city land or otherwise agreed locations.
Several nearby residents urged the Commission to reject or substantially modify the plan, citing preservation of mature mango and royal poinciana trees, traffic congestion at the corner, insufficient guest parking and concerns that the units might operate as rentals rather than owner‑occupied townhomes. Jason Lopez called relocation of the trees “a farce” and said the plan would change the character of the neighborhood. Christopher Truby, a longtime coach in the area, and other residents described poor morning traffic and pedestrian safety concerns on Manor Lane.
Commissioners discussed guest parking options, tree mitigation language, whether to require ability to enforce the covenant (fee‑shifting for enforcement costs), and the need to preserve the streetscape. The Commission’s motion to approve included the applicant’s proffers and direction to staff and the applicant to refine language on tree mitigation, guest parking and enforcement before second reading.
On the roll call, the rezoning passed first reading with a majority; one commissioner recorded a no vote, and the motion carried. The item will return for a second reading after staff and the applicant revise the site plan and covenant language to reflect the Commission’s directions.
