10/23/2025 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Board of County Commissioners PD Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final October 23, 2025 the Growth Awareness Committee of the early 2000s, which saw a surge in development. He referred to a recent development where the PZC denied a rezoning request which was almost reversed on appeal to the BCC. Mr. Reams acknowledged this workshop emanated from that appealed development. He stated PDs should help the County -wide population as well as the developers and requested more specificity from the Board to the PZC regarding desired public benefits. Commissioner Adams referred to the list of approved benefits, stating that right-of-way dedications and road improvements were desirable public benefits because infrastructure was the County's biggest cost and would save the taxpayers money. She suggested there may need to be a timeframe for improvements that would have a far -future impact. Attorney Prado added that PDs were accompanied by a Developer's Agreement which had a seven-year time limit and were subject to yearly reviews. Commissioner Adams disagreed with categorizing "provision of public access to project improvements on a limited basis" as an acceptable benefit. She suggested benefits may need to be considered in tiers where more valuable improvements would lead to better benefits for the developer. The Commissioner stated the definition of "public" would depend on the proposed benefit. Mr. Lowther referred to the appealed PD and requested that developers provide the same in-depth presentation for the PZC that they provided to the BCC. Commissioner Adams agreed, noting that the PZC was statutorily the County's planning agency and held a great amount of weight. There was expressed support for the creativity and benefits PDs offered, especially when they saved the taxpayers money. Commissioner Moss recalled community outreach showed citizens were overwhelmingly concerned with the impact of development on the natural environment, and unique lifestyle. She identified "conservation/set aside of natural features" as the single most important item on the approved list. The Commissioner went on to discuss lagging infrastructure and suggested a hiatus in new development may be warranted. Attorney Prado expressed caution about a hiatus because the County had a legal responsibility to balance private landowners rights with the public's desires. Mr. Mucher suggested looking to other jurisdictions and their defmition of public Indian River County, Florida Page 3