Indian River County talks with Sebastian on annexation 'generally positive,' commission hears
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Talks with Sebastian over the city's proposed annexation of 1,984 acres of former citrus land are proceeding well enough that the County Commission took a mostly optimistic approach to discussing the effort Tuesday.
The annexation of Graves Brothers Co. property, which likely would be for mixed-use development, has long been discussed and at times been controversial — a judge in 2020 threw out the original plan when the city did not publish a full map of the proposal.
But Tuesday, commissioners were hopeful that the recent, open line of dialogue between the city and county would continue.
"It's not about holding down the fort, putting bars across the doors," said Commissioner Joseph Flescher. "It was about ensuring the doors were properly hinged."
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County Administrator Jason Brown said he's had "collegial and generally positive" meetings with Sebastian city officials and Graves Brothers Co. CEO Jeff Bass to discuss the annexation.
"This is not an exercise for the county to try to tell the city how they need to grow," Brown said.
The county's main concern, he said, is to narrow down what the future land use may look like — such as specific development plans and an exact number of units allowed per acre — so the county can prepare for the services it must provide, such as utilities and fire rescue.
"What we'd like to see is some kind of narrowing of that down to be able to get our arms around it," he said. "Will it be 3 units per acre, something like that? Then we can formulate a plan."
Land designated as mixed-use in Sebastian technically allows up to 10 units per acre. Bass confirmed Graves Bros. would ask Sebastian to designate the land as mixed-use, but Brown said it's unlikely all the land would be developed at the maximum density.
Still, commissioners expressed some concern about seeing a more in-depth plan before the annexation agreement is brought forward.
"I've heard comments ... 'This is just about the annexation. We don't really have plans now,'" Flescher said. "I found that very troubling. Again, you don't go anywhere without a plan, a template, a map, some direction."
Sebastian City Manager Paul Carlisle and Councilman Bob McPartlan echoed the commissioners' optimism about maintaining an open dialogue.
"I think this process has gone better," McPartlan said, referring to this year's annexation proposal.
The annexation agreement, Carlisle said, would have to be finalized before the city dictates its land use.
This year's proposed annexation is about 80% larger than the original, and some locals are still concerned about it, however. In a July 26 letter, numerous environmental groups urged caution as the city moves forward with the new plan.
The Pelican Island Audubon Society, Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County, Friends of St. Sebastian River and Indian River Neighborhood Association requested the city hire a planning consultant to ensure the annexation and future development are environmentally friendly.
Hiring an outside consultant, is unnecessary, Bass has said.
Thomas Weber is TCPalm's Indian River County government watchdog reporter. You can reach him at thomas.weber@tcpalm.com or 813-545-9113. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Indian River County Commissioners hopeful for Sebastian annexation
