Planning panel approves 51‑lot Pinewood Garden preliminary plat

The Indian River County Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 9 approved preliminary plat approval for Pinewood Garden, a proposed 51‑lot conventional single‑family subdivision submitted by Hovinian Southeast Florida Division LLC and represented by Cutter and Hearing LLC. Acting Planning and Development Services Director Ryan Sweeney presented staff’s recommendation and the project details.

“Staff's recommendation is that the planning and zoning commission grant preliminary plat approval for the Pinewood Garden subdivision with conditions listed in the staff report, including final tree protection and mitigation plans, payment for the approved fee in lieu of tree mitigation if applicable, final landscape and buffer plan, final street lighting design installation, dedication of the conservation easement over the 2 upland set aside tracts, and the internal sidewalks and design and installation,” Ryan Sweeney said during the staff presentation.

Sweeney told commissioners the site is located on the south side of 49th Street east of 58th Avenue, is zoned RS‑6 (70‑foot minimum lot widths/7,000 sq ft), with an M‑2 medium‑density land‑use designation and a proposed density of roughly 2.55 units per acre. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about setbacks (20‑foot front/rear, 10‑foot side) and minimum lot widths; staff confirmed the application is a conventional subdivision and not requesting waivers.

Public comment on the item was opened and no members of the public spoke. A motion to approve the preliminary plat was made, seconded, and the chair announced the motion passed.

Next steps include submission of final tree protection/mitigation plans, a final landscape and buffer plan, finalized street lighting design and the dedication of conservation easements over the two required upland set‑aside tracts; staff stated those conditions must be satisfied before site‑plan release and construction activity begins.