HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 04 30 - Dr. Richard BakerApril 30, 2019
P.O. Box 1833, Vero Beach. FL 32961-1833
772-567-3520 - piaudubon@yahoo.com - w .PelicanlslandAudubon.org
(Via email and US Mail)
The Honorable Jim Hill, Mayor
The Honorable Linda Kinchen, Vice Mavor
The Honorable Ed Dodd
The.Honorable Albert Iovino -- -- The Honorable Bob MCPertlan
City Hall
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, FL 32958
Re: Potential Graves Brothers Annexation into City of Sebastian
Dear Sebastian City Council Members,
It has come to our attention that the Graves Brothers Company is considering annexing their
large land holdings south of County Road 510 into the City of Sebastian. Most, if not all, the
land holdings lie outside the County's urban service area boundary and has a future land use
designation of Agriculture. An annexation would be an attempt to seek greater development
density and/or less stringent rules than what is permitted under traditional Agriculture land use
entitlements. County regulations provide a mechanism for large scale rural development to occur
while minimizing sprawl -like characteristics: New Towns.
New Town regulations found in both the County's Comprehensive Future Land Use Plan and the
Code of Ordinances would allow for a generous increase in density. Residential density alone
would increase 650%. However, to receive that increased density, the landowner would have to
commit to certain development restrictions to ensure adequate protection of natural resources,
compact development, and minimization of impacts on surrounding areas.
If the landowner decides to bypass the opportunity to utilize the New Town regulations and
instead seek annexation into your city, such an attempt should be viewed with concern. A portion
of the property in question is the site of a proposed dispersed water management project being
awarded by the St. Johns River Water Management District. This multi-year project will result in
millions of dollars for the landowner because of the nexus between their property and the need
for clean water flowing into the South Prong of the Sebastian River.
The subject property is in a vital location in the basin for needed restoration to ensure clean
water for the Sebastian River. Local and state-wide governmental entities are spending millions
of dollars to help restore the Indian River Lagoon and its tributaries. The City of Sebastian
cannot allow a landowner to bypass more stringent regulations from the County which would
cause harm to our environment.
Indian River County's municipalities must be partners with the County as our area grows. The
City of Sebastian should not be in the business of providing large landowners the opportunity to
create harmful impacts on our environment and surrounding lands by applying less stringent
regulations. Annexation by the Graves Brothers Corporation and subsequent development will
permanently change the character of this area. Every resident should have a say in the long-term
development goals and patterns of the County, even those outside the Sebastian municipal limits.
We request that the City of Sebastian open a line of communication with Indian River County to
discuss this project before any formal annexation application and/or ordinance is considered.
Working together for our environment, _
i1
Richard Baker, AD
�
President
Pelican Isl Audubon Society
� �
Pa I fafeita
President
Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County
/&/Tim Glover
Tim Glover
President
Friends of St. Sebastian River
CC: Paul Carlisle