The board’s unanimous recommendation to approve a lot split for two hotels on a 7.19-acre property on Astronaut Boulevard emerged as a notable topic. This decision followed a dialouge about the property’s current configuration, which already hosted two operational hotels. These hotels had been approved under the assumption they would remain on a single lot. However, the applicant later sought to separate them onto individual parcels. This request was not initially presented to the city, as the property owner bypassed the city’s subdivision review by first approaching the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office.

Despite this procedural oversight, the city staff found the application compliant with existing city codes and comprehensive plan requirements. The board acknowledged the necessity of formalizing the lot split to align with the certificates of occupancy already granted to the hotels. A critical element of the approval conditions involved reciprocal easements for access, utility services, and drainage facilities to ensure ongoing functionality for both properties.

The board’s discussion also touched on potential financial implications of the split, such as the possibility of selling one of the hotels. Questions arose about the involvement of multiple lenders; however, it was clarified that there was a single lender for the property’s mortgage. This clarity was essential as the lender’s consent was required to maintain the shared easements post-split. Board members expressed satisfaction with the documentation and the comprehensive compliance checks undertaken by city staff, leading to a favorable motion for the lot split.

In addition to the lot split, the board considered changes to the RPUD ordinance. These proposed amendments aimed to reduce the minimum acreage requirement from ten acres to four acres, a change intended to encourage greater utilization of RPUDs for residential developments. The current RPUD framework had not seen extensive use, attributed partly to the city’s limited availability of large parcels. By lowering the acreage threshold, the city hopes to attract developers interested in smaller parcels, thereby fostering creative development solutions, particularly concerning stormwater management and community open space.

The ordinance revisions also sought to simplify the RPUD approval process. Developers would be able to consolidate the preliminary and final development plans, streamlining the procedural requirements. This change was designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles while still maintaining oversight by the planning and zoning board and city council.

The board’s conversation explored the broader intent of these changes, emphasizing the flexibility and creativity they could offer developers. There was a focus on potential community benefits, such as providing river or ocean access as amenities, which could allow developers to gain credit for open space requirements. The board leaned towards recommending the amended ordinance for city council approval, recognizing the need to adapt to modern development standards and address the challenges of a built-out environment.

Another point of discussion was the clarification needed in the city’s parking code. An inconsistency was identified regarding the required size of parking spaces, with sections of the ordinance stating different square footage requirements. This discrepancy was acknowledged as needing correction to ensure consistency across city regulations.