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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/5/1981CLUP - State Road 60 to South County Line Monday, October 5, 1981 The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met in Special Session at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1053 20th Place, Vero Beach, -Florida, on Monday, October 5, 1981, at 7:00 o'clock P.M. Present were Patrick B. Lyons, Chairman; William C. Wodtke, Jr., Vice Chairman; Dick Bird; Alfred Grover Fletcher; and Don C. Scurlock, Jr. Also present were Neil A. Nelson, County Administrator; R. Stephen Houlihan, Assistant Attorney to the Board of County Commissioners; and Janice Caldwell, Deputy Clerk. The Chairman called the meeting to order. Chairman Lyons commented that the purpose of discussing the properties lying between State Road 60 and the South County Line were twofold: to get community input in the plan, and to try to pick up the things that were raised at the public hearings involved in this area, as well as to discuss other specific requests that have occurred since the meeting. Planning Director Rever reviewed the items on the agenda. He stated that the first two items involve Paul Rosscamp, who wants to keep the commercial area on 43rd Avenue and lst Street; and Bob DiBassie, who wants 212 acres on 43rd Avenue and lst Street to stay commercial. Mr. DiBassie's request is for the warehouse type of commercial development and not the service type.. Mr. Rever advised that their Staff has not come up with a set answer at this time and suggested that they provide the commercial in order to conform. He noted that Sid Stinson would like to have his property on Glendale Road made RR, and it was determined his property was in the same area as Mr. Luther, whose property was to be discussed later in the meeting. Mr. Rever advised that the Staff had resolved the matter regarding Vista Properties, who had requested commercial designation for 20 acres off U.S. #1 in Vista Royale. He explained that this could be worked out through zoning under permitted uses. OCT 5 1981 �m 47 PAPE 687 OCT 5 1901 BOOK 47 pn 088 Planning Director Rever referred to the Hibiscus Airport and Old Dixie area where Ernestine Park requested the area be changed from 12 units an acre to LD -1 or LD -2. Mr. Rever explained that it was Staff's opinion that a compromise could be made to LD -2 or MD -1. Commissioner Scurlock inquired why we were impacting this area - Old Dixie is nearby, and schools are already in that location. It seemed to him that this particular area should be lower in density. Peter Robinson, Laurel Homes, came before the Board and stated that the beauty of the Hibiscus Airport property was that it met many of the goals in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The County was supposed to plan and provide for future growth, and he pointed out that service facilities were available at that location. Mr. Robinson advised that this tract was bounded by a drainage canal and two main streets; he felt that it should stay at 10 units an acre to provide affordable housing. He commented that it was getting harder to provide affordable housing for the average working man. Commissioner Wodtke stated that he would prefer to see it remain at 12 and hoped that the Board would think very hard before they reduced it to LD -1 or LD -2 or -anything less than 10. Bob Fleckenstein, interested citizen, came forward and discussed the size of the tract in question, which he thought was 1/4 of a section. Frank Zorc, interested citizen, came before the Board and gave a brief history of how the Hibiscus Airport property was at one time zoned industrial. Some time later, residents in the area petitioned to have the land revert to R-1 zoning but were rejected. Presently, he continued, the property was zoned R-2. Mr. Zorc felt if the surrounding neighbors were questioned, they would prefer to have it zoned R-1. William Koolage, 815 26th Avenue, could not understand why this property should be zoned MD -2 and suggested that zoned acreage of the size of the Hibiscus Airport property should be spread out to the northern part of the County. L_ 1 Commissioner Bird inquired if Mr. Zorc was developing a multi -family complex next to Colonial Terrace. Mr. Zorc stated that he was, and advised it was raw land. He felt this was an unfair comparison. Mr. Fleckenstein believed that some sort of a compromise would be the answer. He suggested -that multi -family should be placed in the middle of the tract, and single family be placed on the outside. Mr. Fleckenstein added that trying to accomodate a buffer through zoning was a good intention, but felt the buffer zone was necessary and should be shown on the map. Lengthy discussion ensued regarding the Hibiscus Airport tract and the surrounding area. Commissioner Scurlock asked what the Planning Department's recommendation was for a compromise. Mr. Rever stated that this could be accomplished through the site plan process, and zoning. John Kenny, Colonial Terrace Homeowners Association, came before the Board and stated that 45 homeowners in his area want specific rezoning. He felt this would prevent the hassle of crying residents when going through the site plan. Commissioner Bird noted that the County had the options and the tools to work with and they were in unanimous agreement to protect the single-family residents. He added that in going through the plan for over a year, they had not looked out for the working man in this County. Commissioner Bird felt that density had become such an emotional thing; they have tried to protect the people next door as best they could. John Matthews, 777 13th Avenue, objected to the Board for this particular type of zoning. He pointed out that one of the reasons he moved to his present location was for the character of the place, which is single-family. Commissioner Scurlock felt there should be a transition zone of some sort; such as MD -1 and then phase into LD -2. Boa 4%' PATE 689 OCT , 1981 3 OCT 5 1981 Boa 47 PAA, F 6 9� Commissioner Fletcher felt our responsibility was to be responsive to the neighbors and to the surrounding area. He made a Motion that this area be left in an LD -2 or MD -2 category. The Motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Scurlock made a Motion that this area be designated as MD -1. The Motion died for lack of a second. Senior Planner Art Challacombe referred to the residential policy.and read aloud the various designations. Motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher, seconded by Commissioner Scurlock, for the Board to change the subject area, shown as MD72, to LD -2. The Chairman called for the question. It was voted on and carried 3 to 2, with Commissioners Bird and Wodtke voting in opposition. Planning Director Rever next discussed the area on the south side of Oslo Road, 990' west of 43rd Avenue. He advised that this issue did not need to be addressed, as far as the Staff was concerned. Planning Director Rever discussed property owned by Dan K. Richardson, who had requested that 125 acres located in Section 12,,Township 33 South, Range 38 East be designated either MD -1 or RR -1. Mr. Rever added that it is presently zoned agriculture. John Luther, representing Mr. Richardson, approached the Board and advised that this property is surrounded by MD -1 and RR -1. He continued that this property has not been able to be utilized as a commercial grove because of the freeze in 1962 and then again in 1977 - it was not a good venture to continue planting citrus. He requested that it be changed to the RR -1 zoning. On Motion by Commissioner Wodtke, seconded by Commissioner Bird, the Board unanimously agreed to change the 125 acres owned by Dan K. Richardson, presently zoned agricultural, to RR -1. Mr. Rever advised that the owners of the Indian River Flying Service want to retain 17 acres of commercial property on the south side of 8th Street; the property is across the street from Colonial Terrace. Mr. Rever stated there is a traffic problem and staff recommends that this is not a place to have a commercial node but it may be a place to support a neighborhood node. Motion was made by Commissioner Scurlock, seconded by :.wfi,Commissioner Fletcher, to accept the Planning Staff's recommendation. Commissioner Wodtke stated that he planned to vote against the Motion. He felt that particular area was not suitable for heavy commercial type of use. The Chairman called for the question. It was voted on and carried with a vote of 4 to 1, with Commissioner Wodtke voting in opposition. Daniel Kilbride, Attorney representing clients who own property at Range Road and Oslo Road, came before the Board. He referred to Ocean Spray -Indian River and Hercules Pectin, the businesses that are located in the area, which are using most of the 150 acres presently zoned industrial. He requested that the Board consider changing that particular area to industrial commercial and increasing the total acreage to allow for growth. Senior Planner Challacombe reviewed the area with the Board and stated it would be an ideal location for expanding the industrial and suggested changing the 150 acres industrial node to a 230 commercial and industrial node. Discussion followed along those lines. On Motion made by Commissioner Bird, seconded by Commis- sioner Scurlock, the Board unanimously approved the Planning Staff's 9 recommendation to expand the subject area to a 230 acre commercial and industrial node. Attorney Steve Henderson approached the Board concerning property at Route 60 and I-95 owned by Pat Barbieri and Parman, Inc. He felt that a transitional area is needed in this location. Attorney Henderson asked the Board to consider bringing the MD -1 boundary down to 4th Street and continue it on a straight line, or have a transitional zone that would reduce it to a..lower density. 5 BOOK 47 PAGE 691 OCT 5 'So OCT 5 1981 BOOK 47 pn.r692 Discussion followed about this particular area. Commissioner Wodtke noted that the Aerodrome Subdivision was located in an agricultural zone. Chairman Lyons commented that they were not trying to encourage development where it is designated agriculture. Motion was made by Commissioner Scurlock, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, for the Board to let the subject property remain as it is presently zoned. The Chairman called for the question. It was voted on and carried 4 to 1, with Commissioner Wodtke voting in opposition. Attorney Henderson, representing Bill Caldwell, came before the Board and noted that he owns a parcel of property on the east side of U.S. #1 opposite the entryway to Vero Beach Highlands. He added that the Caldwell property is surrounded by commercial uses and there is a commercial node available in the area. Senior Planner Challacombe stated that the Planning Depart- ment concurs this area is not usable for anything other than commercial; through zoning, they can designate use, whether for neighborhood commercial or highway commercial. Staff recommends that this area be included in a neighborhood commercial node. On Motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher, seconded by Commissioner Scurlock, the Board unanimously approved the subject area to be in a neighborhood commercial node. Lengthy discussion ensued. It was determined that Planning Staff would be looking at the area as commercial use, which would be consistent with adjacent properties. Discussion then took place of property located at 98th Avenue and Route 60, which is presently zoned industrial and commercial. Senior Planner Challacombe advised that at the next meeting, the Planning Staff will have a confirmation of that particular area. Bob Snyder, 3329 10th Street SW, came before the Board and discussed the MXD classification on Oslo Road and expressed concern about how this would affect his neighborhood. He felt that area could be impacted up to 16 units per acre. Chairman Lyons commented that he might be better off with the proposed designation of MXD than he is with the present zoning MXD is consistent with the adjacent property, which in his case would be 3 units per acre. Bill Graves, 4th Street, came before the Board and discussed LD -2 and LD -1 from State Road 60 to the County line. He suggested the two designations be switched to lower the density. Discussion followed. Commissioner Wodtke suggested that the Planning Department study this idea and come back to the Board later with their recommendation. On Motion by Commissioner Scurlock, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, the Board unanimously agreed to have the Planning Department consider reversing the LD -1 designation to LD -2 from Rosewood Boulevard south to the South Relief Canal and from 43rd Avenue to Kings Highway. Tom Aldrich, Rebel Road, commented that he owned property in Emerson Villas Subdivision on the west side of 27th Avenue and he would like it to remain commercial. David Woodhouse, interested citizen, initiated a brief discussion on MXD designation in the Oslo Road area. Robert Jackson, Attorney, discussed the environmentally sensitive areas on the river north of Vero Beach. He stated that his clients prefer to have the zoning put back to its original state with the North Relief Canal as the natural barrier. B. T. Cooksey, attorney for Mr. and Mrs. William Luther, came before the Board. He commented that the parcels were designated to be in the MD district and had been changed. Attorney Cooksey requested that their area be changed back to the MD -1 district that they were in originally. Discussion followed about flood zones and environmentally sensitive areas. OCT 5 1S81 7 8m 47 PAu 6,93 _ -i O CT 5 1981 800K 47 fiAu 694 Ed Schmucker, Engineer, interjected that there had to be higher density in the County. Motion was made by Commissioner Wodtke, seconded by Commis- sioner Bird, that the Board extend the MD -1 designation between the North Relief Canal and Lindsey Road, and set a designation for the environmentally sensitive area, as recommended by the Planning Department. Ann Robinson, Pelican Island Audubon Society, commented that the flooding elevation is being made higher upstream. She added that for the sake of the citizens, it was not in the best public interest to encourage development in this area. Mrs. Robinson stated that the flood zones needed to be protected. Commissioner Wodtke strongly urged that there should be an area to provide affordable housing for people with children. After some discussion, Commissioner Wodtke withdrew his Motion and Commissioner Bird withdrew his second. Robert Lloyd, engineer, came before the Board representing Mr. Rogers, who has 27 acres north of State Road 510. He stated that an engineering analysis of the project was made and it was found not feasible to have it at 2 units per acre. Mr. Lloyd requested that the Board consider 4 units an acre for this project. Lengthy discussion ensued as to what vehicle could be used to accomplish this, since there is no classification for 4 units per acre. Planning Director Rever then indicated that Mr. Rogers was scheduled to make a formal rezoning request at the next meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission. further detail at that meeting. This matter will be discussed in Ray Fernald, Pelican Island Audubon Society, asked that the following statements be made a part of the minutes. =I PELICAN ISLAND P. 0. VERO BEACH, AUDUBON SOCIETY Box 1833 FLORIDA 32960 5 October 1981 A STATEMENT TO THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSION REGARDING THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND -USE PLAN Pelican Island Audubon Society joins with other residents of Indian River County who believe that planned or allowable increases in this County's population should fit within a framework of services, currently available, or which may readily be made available at affordable tax rates. We agree that such services, and the estimated tax increases entailed, should be predetermined through studies conducted by experts in the fields of environmental resources management; potable water supply; waste water management; transportation; disaster planning; demographics; and fire, po-lice, and health services. We believe that in-depth planning is required to maintain the life style of this county, one that is unique on this coast of Florida. Pelican Island Audubon Society is not opposed to a well-planned and orderly growth pattern which can be readily assimilated into this life style. We are, however, unalterably opposed to growth via haphazard planning and the setting of unrealistic and uncontrolled goals, with no regard for availability or affordability of required services. Therefore, we endorse the reduction of maximum dwelling unit densities, as proposed by the Vero Beach Civic Association, as an interim measure until the Future Land Use Plan is revised to reflect the desires of the residents of Indian River County as expressed in a referendum on future population, and further adjusted to accommodate the findings and recommendations of public service -related studies as outlined above. Regarding preservation of the natural resources of Indian River County including surface and ground waters, wetlands,k unique or endangered uplands, and fish and wildlife populations, we offer the following comments. The Comprehensive Plan recognizes the value of these resources and adopts an attitude of conservation, but we fear it falls short of implementing that committment. The Plan is essentially dependent on regional, State, and Federal agencies for resource inventory, land acquisition, and regulatory functions. We believe it is the County's responsibility to take this lead role in protecting our environment. OCT 9 8m 47 FAr,F% BOOK 47rAr,E 696 An essential first step is for Indian River County to employ a professional environmental planner who is trained in the ecology and management of natural systems. It would be fruitless to assign the task of resource management to the Planning Department, without also providing the technical expertise to design, evaluate, and implement such a program. The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council; Florida Departments of Agriculture, Environmental Regulation, and Natural Resources; Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and U.S. Soil Conservation Service can be relied on to provide input to resource inventory and management, but none of these agencies have the capability to supervise a program specifically for Indian River County. That is the responsibility of our local government. The list of needed studies -and regulations presented in the Comprehensive Plan is a good start. We wish to suggest additional topics, however, which should be considered. 1. Indian River County possesses coastal strand, tropical coastal hammocks, sand pine scrub, and other unique upland habitats which are not protected by regional, State, or Federal statutes. In addition to their educational and aesthetic values, these habitats are extremely important for stabilization of unconsolidated sediments and recharge of the shallow aquifer along the sand ridge. Because development pressure is greatest in upland areas, the County would be wise to acquire, or limit distruction of these unique habitats now, while they are relatively plentiful, rather than to wait until they are nearly depleted and prohibitively expensive. 2. Restrictions on fill placement, drainage, and vegetative destruction within wetlands are vital to effective management of these resources. These development actions are partially regulated by State or Federal agencies, but local government must not depend on these "big brothers" to do the job for us. An excellent example of effective environmental control over wetland resources, albeit 30 years late, is Dade County's Department of Environmental Resources Management. 3. We must reduce unit densities and development within the 100 year floodplain, particularly along the Sebastian and Indian Rivers. Encouraging development in the floodplain not only increases the public costs of stormwater drainage, transportation, and civil emergency planning, but courts natural disaster. Accordingly, the County should re-evaluate its position of support for the Federal Flood Insurance Program. This program, originally intended to discourage Federal participation in or support of floodplain development, has been perverted into an incredibly expensive bureaucracy which encourages and financially subsidizes wetland and floodplain development. 4. We enthusiastically support the establishment of Special Treatment Districts as proposed in the Comprehensive Plan. The transfer of residential densities to adjacent lands under unified ownership is a progressive and equitable solution. These rights, however, should not be assessed on a one-to-one ratio based on acreage and density districts. Rather, the transfer ratio should be based on the realistic potential developabilty of the Special Treatment Lands. For example, intertidal red mangrove swamp has a negligable potential for development because of State and Federal statutes. Any transfer of development rights should be appropriately minimal, regardless of the surrounding area's density district status. Also, the current proposal does not provide for those landowners who do not possess lands outside of, but adjacent to, their Special Treatment District Holdings. h s In summary, Pelican Island Audubon Society believes the County Planning Department has done an exemplary job of preparing the FLUP under the circumstances. Unfortunately, the lack of baseline data, insufficient funding for future studies, and technical expertise of the present staff with regard to natural resources management render the proposed plan dangerously vulnerable to exploitation. Indian River County has a statewide reputation for being a progressive, responsible caretaker of its environment. We urge you to provide the mechanism and capability to preserve our bountiful natural resources which are so essential to the quality of life we now enjoy. Thank you for your consideration and attention. Ray Fernald President Pelican Island Audubon Society Chairman Lyons announced that the next meeting, which will be a general clean-up meeting, will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers on October 14, 1981 at 7:00 P.M. There being no further business, on Motion made, seconded and carried, the Board adjourned at 11:15 o'clock P.M. ATTEST: Clerk 11 00 5 1981 LM