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Commissioners approve rezoning for proposed RV park after debate over sewer and package-treatment plants
Summary
The board adopted an ordinance to change roughly 18 acres from RMH to CRV for an RV-park project (Petition R20240771). Developers said they will use nitrogen- and phosphorus-reducing packaged treatment plants until sewer is available; commissioners discussed mandatory hookups, developer agreements and environmental concerns near the Rim Canal.
The Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt an ordinance granting Petition R20240771, rezoning about 18 acres along 441 Southeast from residential mobile-home to commercial recreational-vehicle to permit a modern RV park development.
At a public hearing developer representative Steve Dobbs said the site lacks municipal utilities and that the applicant proposes on-site packaged treatment systems designed to reduce nutrient loading. "We are working with a manufacturer that has the the nitrogen and phosphorus reducing sewer plants," Dobbs told the board. Planning staff and the county’s OUA representative noted the county policy that properties required to connect when central sewer becomes available and said any package-plant approval should anticipate a future mandatory hookup.
Commissioners pressed for safeguards for nearby water bodies, including the Rim Canal. Several commissioners said they dislike package plants and urged stronger developer obligations — including developer agreements or contributions to a sewer-extension fund — so that multiple projects might help finance later utility extension. The board agreed the rezoning is consistent with the comprehensive plan and land-development regulations and adopted Ordinance 2024-R0332 (motion carried unanimously).
What happens next: Staff said the rezoning approves land use; subsequent site-plan review and permits will require more detail on wastewater design and likely OUA review and approval before construction.
