Tuesday evening during the Flagler Beach Planning and Land Development Board meeting, the main topics of discussion revolved around the Veranda Bay development that is slowly making progress in the area between John Anderson Road, US-1, and Colbert Lane. The planning board had three agenda items involving Veranda Bay, the annexation request, a comprehensive plan amendment, and a rezoning request. The planning board listened in as Michael Chimeunto presented on behalf of the developer, who was also in attendance to answer questions. Also present during the meeting was the County’s Deputy Attorney, who spoke about the concerns the Flagler County Board of Commissioners has regarding the development.
The County’s Deputy Attorney explained how the BOCC is generally on board with the annexation request from the developer, but they do have some concerns for the City Commission to review and take into consideration. The Veranda Bay development is located next to Bulow, which is the area of Flagler County that has moved the BOCC in the direction of protecting the green spaces, environment, and ‘Old Florida’ feel. With greenspaces being a large concern for the BOCC, they want the city of Flagler Beach to consider having in writing that there will be buffers along John Anderson Road, and other areas, to help preserve that natural greenspace feel. The BOCC also explained their desire to see the City of Flagler Beach take over ownership of part of John Anderson Road if the development is annexed into the city. The BOCC is also concerned about the aquifer. To protect the aquifers in Flagler County, the BOCC is requesting the City of Flagler Beach consider a regulation of some kind prohibiting the drilling of wells for individual homes, to protect the aquifer from salt water.
The developer and Mr. Chimeunto, explained their plans for the development of the single-family homes that would be built in this development, along with the areas that would be zoned mix-use, allowing for areas of commercial development within the overall development project.
The Planning Board cited a litany of concerns regarding the development, annexation, and rezoning of the land, which included debris burning, utilities, and buffers. The planning board did decide in unanimous votes to approve a recommendation for annexation and the comprehensive plan. The rezoning request was approved with conditions that the developer and city staff can work out the concerns about utilities, burning, and other waivers that the developer has currently received. Many on the planning board stated their wish to see some or all of the waivers removed and were apprehensive about recommending the rezoning of the development due to concerns about whether the water and wastewater plant would have the capacity to handle the development, along with concerns over greenspace conservation and the preservation of trees and natural buffers around the development. It was decided by the board that the developer would receive the recommendation for approval from the planning board, contingent on whether the developer and city staff can come to agreement on the above-mentioned points.
