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Board of County Commissioners PD Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final October 23, 2025 <br />Having reached consensus on public benefit input, discussion turned to defining <br />waivers (deviations) from the current zoning requirements. Mr. Sweeney <br />presented staff's recommendations: input on specifying the degree at which each <br />development parameter may be waived (as a percentage or a specific amount), <br />and inclusion of an affirmative statement that building height could not be waived <br />via the PD process. A slide of current development parameters that may be <br />waived was displayed for feedback from the Boards. <br />Mr. Reams was cautious about defining hard limits on deviations. Mr. Sweeney <br />suggested identifying caps on waivers which could then be incorporated into <br />staff's analysis and serve as a baseline for comparison to applications. Under <br />discussion, Mr. Stewart suggested a metric which would show deviation from the <br />standard requirement as a means for evaluation. Mr. Campbell requested <br />establishing a hard metric on minimum setbacks to ensure proper drainage and <br />maintenance. Commissioner Moss told of a development which garnered negative <br />public feedback and should not be repeated. Mr. Sweeney added the <br />development had 50 -foot -wide lots with a 5 -foot setback. There was agreement <br />that 5 feet was too small of a setback; 7 -and -a -half feet was suggested as a <br />minimum for practicality. Attorney Prado encouraged setting guardrails to provide <br />a consistent justification for decision-making. There was additional discussion on <br />how to balance regulation with flexibility and affordability. Mr. Sweeney <br />confirmed there was agreement that 7 -and -a -half feet should be the floor for <br />setbacks. <br />The third topic on the agenda was inclusion of affordable and/or workforce <br />housing, largely considered to be the top priority public benefit. Staff <br />recommended providing direction to specify what types of incentives were <br />acceptable or preferred; staff's suggestions were displayed for discussion. <br />Commissioner Adams discussed her work on the Affordable Housing Advisory <br />Committee (AHAC) developing strategies such as density bonuses and mixed-use <br />small lot subdivisions. She suggested a robust conversation was needed and <br />encouraged all the Board members to think about how to encourage affordable <br />workforce housing. Mr. Sweeney acknowledged incentives were one type of <br />solution and also sought ways to encourage creation of affordable housing within <br />the PD process. Discussion was had regarding a recently approved affordable <br />housing project brought about as a small -lot subdivision as an example of success. <br />Indian River County, Florida Page 5 <br />