05/20/2025 (3) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final May 20, 2025 In 2024, the County began the Urban Service Boundary (USB) study to address population growth and development. This report looked at the Oslo corridor which runs through the new Oslo Road/195 interchange. This study evaluated the potential for extending the boundary to cover the two-mile USB gap which was bounded east to west by 58th and 74th Avenue SW, and north to south by 5th and 13th Street SW. The report studied vacant parcels, Future Land Use (most of the area was Agriculturally zoned), current zoning, environmental constraints, wetland areas, the floodplain, transportation, existing roadways, pedestrian and bicycle systems, connectivity, and adjacent municipalities. The County gathered input from residents' concerns: the impacts of growth, preferences for public spaces, parks and agricultural land, and preserving the County's quality of life and natural resources. The presentation closed with staffs recommendation. Commissioners weighed -in with their perspective. Commissioner Moss spoke against additional housing development in the area, noting the community preferred quality of life enhancements. Commissioner Earman was in favor of the moratorium on rezoning to allow time to consider balanced growth. Vice Chairman Loar was in favor of filling-in the infrastructure gap, a one-year moratorium, and the overlay district. County Attorney Shuler advised the Board of proposed legislation which may affect the County's approach to development. Mr. Balter explained the overlay district was a special zoning layer to promote consistency and quality of development. The Chairman opened the floor for public comments. Jeanne Koontz supported a one-year moratorium, improved infrastructure, and consideration for agricultural land. Rusty Banack noted there was not enough water for agriculture east of I95, and supported the moratorium and filling-in infrastructure gaps. Ruth Collier spoke in favor of expanding the USB. Donna Keys advocated for waiting two to three years before expanding the USB to gauge the impact of the Oslo Road interchange. Richard Bialosky talked about the unintended consequences of a moratorium, and favored waiting before expanding the USB to consider a holistic approach to development. Joseph Paladin spoke of his experience as a developer, favored quality growth, Indian River County, Florida Page 11