The most newsworthy item was the unanimous approval of the All Saints Cemetery rezoning application. The property, located next to the All Saints Episcopal Church in Jensen Beach, required a zoning change from A2 Agricultural District to PS2 Public Service District to align with its future land use designation as General Institutional. Senior planner John Senate from the Growth Management Department presented the request, emphasizing that the change would match the property’s use as a cemetery and allow for potential future developments like mausoleums. Attorney Audre Cree, representing the cemetery, confirmed historical burial restrictions on one parcel and the existence of two land parcels related to the cemetery.

The board members confirmed that there were no interveners or ex parte communications before proceeding to a vote, which passed without opposition. The decision allows the site to maintain its current use while opening possibilities for future enhancements compatible with the surrounding area.

The agency also considered the rezoning application for Grace Place, a longstanding community church located at the corner of Southeast Salerno Road and Southeast Old Avenue. The proposed change from A1A Agricultural District to RE2A Rural Estate District aimed to align with its Rural Density future land use designation. The discussion involved planned improvements such as paving and striping parking areas and adding a covered drop-off area, intended to better serve their congregation of 600 parishioners.

However, the proposal faced opposition from a local landowner named Gloria, who voiced concerns about the potential for increased development and the infrastructure strain it might cause. She highlighted issues with outdated maps provided to residents and the area’s existing infrastructural challenges, such as road conditions and traffic congestion. While the chair acknowledged her comments, the board ultimately moved to accept the staff’s recommendation, emphasizing the procedural need for rezoning due to outdated agricultural classifications.

Another discussion centered on a rezoning request by KSA Equities Holdings, which aimed to change an undeveloped 3.83-acre site from B1 Business District to General Commercial District (GC). The Growth Management Department’s Brian Elim explained that the change aligned with the site’s comprehensive plan designation and would not introduce more intense uses than currently allowed. The conversation included questions about the site’s location relative to the Salerno Community Redevelopment Area, and staff confirmed its exclusion from the CRA boundary.

In addition to rezoning applications, the agency addressed comprehensive plan amendments, focusing on residential capacity analysis and infrastructure sharing policies. The agency grappled with proposed changes to calculation methodologies and density assumptions, reflecting ongoing efforts to adapt planning strategies to current data realities. The discussions revealed tensions between maintaining existing frameworks and adjusting to new information.