Plans for 189-unit Vero Beach apartments approved; construction could begin in six months
VERO BEACH — Plans for nearly 200 apartments on Indian River Boulevard have cleared the final stage before construction begins.
Developers for Park Pointe Apartments received unanimous site-plan approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this month, clearing the way for construction of the 189- apartment complex.
Work could begin within about six months, project engineer Kevin Robertson, of Kimley-Horn and Associates, told the commission Jan. 6.
"This looks like a nice addition to our city," Planning Commissioner Robin Pelensky said.
The 24 vacant acres, at Indian River Boulevard and 41st Street, was annexed into the city in 2020. Property owners Schwerin Asset Advisors LLC told city officials at the time they planned to develop the property for multi-family homes.
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The project applicant, Park Pointe Apartments Vero LLC manager Tom Cavanaugh, was unavailable for comment.
"It's a relatively large project," city Principal Planner Cheri Fitzgerald told the commission. The plan includes covered carports, garages, amenities and a leasing office. More than half the property — 53% — is earmarked for open space, Fitzgerald said.
In October, the City Council approved rezoning the property from eight units per acre to 10 units. That would have allowed up to 236 apartments, Fitzgerald told the commission.
While the apartments would be compatible with nearby residential retirement and senior-living facilities, city officials have previously expressed concern about the project's proximity to the Indian River Lagoon. The property is bordered on the east by conservation land owned by the Indian River Land Trust.
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There is a 40-foot-wide wetland buffer between the planned development and the conservation land, Fitzgerald told the Planning Commission.
The buffer includes a ditch separating the development from the conservation land, preventing it from interfering with the wetlands, Robertson said. There also is a drainage and retention plan in place to address storm water concerns, Robertson said.
Colleen Wixon is the Indian River County government watchdog reporter for TCPalm.com. Contact her at Colleen.Wixon@TCPalm.com or 772-978-2235.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Nearly 200-unit apartment complex to be built this year in Vero Beach
