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II Gene Winne of 2096 Windward Way, representing The Civic Association of Vero Beach and Indian River County, Inc., delivered a letter regarding the Association's position as follows: 4DThe Civic Association of Vero Beach and Indian River County, Inc. P.O. Box 3381, Vero Beach, FL 329"M81 Founded - 1968 Ms. Fran Adams, Chair February 23, 1996 Indian River County 1840 25th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Dear Chairman Adams, The Board of Directors of the Civic Association of Vero Beach and Indian River County has reviewed certain of the proposed 1996 LDR amendments and hereby submits the following recommendations. While we feel that Staff has done an excellent job on these LDR changes, we are very concerned about Section 21 of the Staff report entitled "Special Exceptions for Cemeteries in Residential Areas." We feel this proposed LDR amendment may be too broad and far-reaching in its implications. It would allow cemeteries as special exceptions in almost all County residential zones. One would expect that County residents would generally object to a cemetery within 100 feet of their properties. Although the special exception definition in Section 901.03 of the LDR is frequently difficult to interpret, we do not understand how a cemetery might ever meet the requirements therein defined for any adjacent neighborhood. We acknowledge further that the "Sand Ridge" preference for the most favorable cemetery locations will limit the sites suggested for this special exception. However, we do not favor broad provisions in LDR's on the excuse that there will not be many disputed cases. Such broad provisions could set precedents for future parallel actions on zoning amendments. We understand that no current project is behind Staffs proposal. Therefore, we recommend that this amendment be reconsidered by Staff. We feel that Indian River County's vast agricultural zones can readily provide enough sites for cemeteries as special exceptions in accordance with the existing LDR's. It could benefit the Community if the required distance from abutting property lines was increased from the proposed 100 feet to, say, 250 feet. Perhaps it could be useful in the future if new ordinances dealing with special exceptions (particularly those affecting residential zones) identified the key requirements for a new land use to be acceptable for various proposed sites. Sincerely, 4.1 OA OF DIRECTORS _ cc: James Chandler, County Administrator Board members /lp 'Dedicated To Preserving, Fostering, and Promoting the Beauty, Natural Resources and Good Government olVero Beach and Indian River County, Florida' Mr. Winne expressed his feeling that the revision of the ordinance is unnecessary as the present regulations provide for cemeteries as a special exception. He believed that should be sufficient for years to come without intrusion into residential areas and asked the Board to deny approval of the amended ordinance. FEBRUARY 27, 1996 L- li BOOK 97 fA UE405