Palm Bay Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Recap – February 5, 2025
Palm Bay, FL —The Palm Bay Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Board convened on February 5, 2025, to deliberate on major development proposals and variance requests, including zoning changes for Ashton Park, residential setback variances, and infrastructure projects that could reshape the city. The meeting resulted in both approvals and denials, reflecting community concerns and planning priorities. Below is a summary of the discussions, public input, and board decisions on each agenda item.
Announcements & Meeting Procedures
The Fountain Park Recycling Center cases (20224-11, CPZ24-7, CU224-8) were postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.
Case CU25-00002 was continued to the March 5, 2025, P&Z meeting at the request of the applicant.
Variance Requests
V24-00008 – Marchly and Francoise Jean
Request: A variance to allow a home addition encroaching 3.47 feet into the 25-foot rear setback at 299 Bougainvillea Street NW.
Discussion: The addition was constructed beyond the approved building plans. The homeowner, acting as their own contractor, stated they were unaware of the issue until the final survey was conducted.
Board Concerns: The variance was self-imposed, and approval could set a precedent for ignoring zoning codes.
Public Input: None.
Vote: The motion to approve failed (2-3), with members Good and Karaffa voting in favor, and McLoud, Oleski, and Warner voting against, meaning the board recommended denial to the City Council.
V24-00010 – Santiago De Jesus Sermeno Torres
Request: A variance to allow a proposed single-family home to encroach 14.5 feet into the 25-foot rear setback at 1621 Westlund Avenue SE due to septic system constraints.
Discussion: The applicant argued that the septic and well placement, determined by health regulations, restricted house positioning. The board debated whether an alternative house layout could resolve the issue.
Public Input: Nearby homeowners opposed the variance, citing concerns over property values, privacy, emergency access, and potential flooding from altered land elevations.
Vote: The board unanimously recommended denial to the City Council.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
CP24-00010 – Ashton Park Expansion
Request: A land use change for 133 acres from Brevard County's Neighborhood Commercial and Residential-1 designation to Urban Mixed-Use (UMU) to align with the 1,434-acre Ashton Park development.
Discussion: The project aims to create a town center, mixed housing, and commercial spaces while extending the St. Johns Heritage Parkway and utility infrastructure.
A 30-acre school site is planned for a K-8 school.
A fire station and police substation are included in the plan.
Developers emphasized that the project is contingent on extending the Parkway to ensure accessibility. If the extension is delayed or not approved, traffic congestion in the area could worsen, and the feasibility of the mixed-use development could be impacted, potentially leading to reduced commercial viability and fewer residential units being constructed.
Public Input: Residents raised concerns about traffic congestion, the timeline for road improvements, and whether infrastructure would keep pace with development. In response, developers assured that infrastructure enhancements, including road expansions and utility upgrades, would be implemented alongside construction phases to mitigate potential issues. The board acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the importance of timely infrastructure development to accommodate growth.
Vote: The board recommended approval (4-1), with members Good, Karaffa, McLoud, and Oleski voting in favor, and Warner voting against. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council and the Florida Department of Commerce for review before final adoption.
Final Notes
Residents are encouraged to attend upcoming meetings and provide input on these developments.
City Council will have the final say on all approved and denied recommendations from the P&Z Board.
Curated by AI and fact-checked by The Palm Bayer.