The meeting began with a detailed examination of ordinance number 25-29, which involved a land use map amendment request by Modern New Home Construction Inc. for a property at the intersection of Main Avenue and Rockport Streets. The applicant aimed to change the designation from county urban medium to residential office transition, intending to develop a suburban neighborhood design district on the 0.45-acre property. The area, predominantly characterized by single-family residences, raised concerns among agency staff.

Kyle presented the ordinance, emphasizing the existing duplex structure and the surrounding neighborhood. Staff recommended against transmitting the future land use request, highlighting that the proposed residential office transition designation could hinder future single-family home development. This recommendation led to a motion to transmit the request, which ultimately failed as no members supported it, causing related ordinances to be removed from the commission’s agenda.

Attention then shifted to another significant proposal involving ordinance 25-32, linked to a proposed annexation via ordinance 25-31. This request, submitted by Brett Jones of MAS Development LLC, sought to change the future land use from county urban low to suburban residential for two properties along County Road 44, owned by John E and Betty E Dowy. The proposal aimed to allow a density of up to five units per acre on the 20-acre property.

During the meeting, a resident named Brenda Kane voiced apprehensions about the proposal, specifically regarding traffic and housing density. She questioned the rationale behind allowing five homes per acre and requested a traffic study to assess potential impacts. Kane also inquired about the preservation of wetlands and whether there were plans to widen adjacent highways. In response, it was clarified that the five units per acre designation was a maximum, with actual development likely yielding fewer units. It was also noted that road improvements would be the developer’s responsibility, while major widening would fall under county jurisdiction.

As the meeting progressed, the agency delved into the proposed “Grand Crossings” neighborhood, designed to adhere to the city’s new aspirational code. The speaker outlined the transition from the old code to this new framework, driven by legislative changes from Senate Bill 180. The design focused on single-family homes with varied architectural styles, addressing concerns about the uniformity of new constructions. Input from the community emphasized diversity in home elevations and typologies, including coastal and Florida traditional styles.

A significant aspect of the discussion was the development agreement necessary for implementing varied lot sizes aligned with the aspirational code. The agreement, described as a voluntary commitment from the property owner, aimed to ensure compliance with the new design standards even if ownership changed. The legal implications of such agreements were acknowledged, particularly concerning due process and the conditions under which annexation could occur.

The “Grand Crossings” plan also included community amenities, such as playgrounds and a walking trail around a planned stormwater pond, with enhanced landscaping proposed as a natural perimeter. The conversation touched on the necessity for increased commercial development in the area, with several members expressing a desire for a balanced approach that includes both residential and commercial spaces.