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changes to the current PD ordinance to specify what types of public benefits are acceptable or preferred. 2. Define Waivers (Deviations) from the Current Zoning Requirements: The County's current PD ordinance contains a list of development parameters that may be waived via the PD process in Section 915.15 (see Attachment 1). Those development parameters generally include items such as minimum lot size, minimum lot width, minimum yard setbacks for primary structures, minimum yard setbacks for accessory structures (such as pools, patios, and decks), maximum lot coverage, minimum separation distance between buildings, minimum ROW widths, minimum open space per lot, and. minimum preservation/conservation area per lot. However, the current ordinance does not specify or limit the degree at which each parameter may be waived. For example, if a project site's underlying zoning is RS -3, which normally requires a minimum 80 -foot lot width, there is no policy direction or guidance that limits or prohibits an applicant from requesting a significantly reduced lot width (such as 40 feet). Recommendation: Staff recommends that the BCC and the PZC consider providing policy direction or actual changes to the current PD ordinance to specify the degree at which each development parameter may be waived. Staff recommends the following two options to consider: Option 1: Provide a percentage limitation for each waiver. For example, the lot width may only be reduced by no more than 25%. Therefore, an 80 -foot -wide lot in the RS -3 district may only be reduced to 60 feet, and a 70 - foot -wide lot may in the RS -6 district may only be reduced to 52.5 feet. Option 2: Provide a specific/defined limitation for each waiver. For example, the lot width may only be reduced by no more than 15 feet. Therefore, an 80 -foot -wide lot in the RS -3 district may only be reduced to 65 feet, and a 70 -foot -wide lot may in the RS -6 district may only be reduced to 55 feet. Under either option, staff and the applicant will have clearly defined expectations; however, this approach may limit the ability for a unique or creative design (see item #4 below) or the ability to cluster smaller lots to preserve large expanses of natural resources (e.g. wetlands, native uplands, oak hammock, etc.). Providing defined limitations on the requested waivers will also help to maintain compatibility with neighboring properties (see item #5 below). Recommendation: Also, while the current PD ordinance does not list building height as a development parameter that may be waived, staff recommends that the BCC and the PZC consider including an affirmative statement within Section 915.15 of the PD ordinance that building height cannot be waived via the PD process. 3. Encourage the Inclusion of Affordable and/or Workforce Housing: Over the past few years, housing prices have increased significantly due a number of factors, and finding affordable and/or workforce housing within Indian River County has become increasingly difficult. Staff has discussed the concept of including affordable and/or workforce housing units in new PD projects with a number of potential applicants; however none of those projects have proceeded accordingly. While there are a number of ways to incentivize or encourage the inclusion of affordable and/or workforce housing within new PD projects, staff is providing the following items for further discussion. a. Specify that including affordable and/or workforce housing is the "number one" priority public benefit; b. If a new PD project includes a minimum percentage of affordable and/or workforce housing units (e.g. 25% or 30%), then no other public benefits are required; c. If a minimum project size is adopted for new PD projects (see item #4 below), then allow new PD projects that include a minimum percentage of affordable and/or workforce housing units on project sites smaller Indian River County, Florida Page 3 of 5 Printed on 10/17/2025 powered I lagistarT