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Mid year 2006
The property is now for sale and plans for developing with condos are on hold. Just prior to
the property going on sale, a low height project was approved with multiple buildings at the site. But it was canceled
due to too many condos being available.
The save the beach petition was successfull and a beach front park is now planned and funded with
work starting 2007.
2005: Mr. Torpy has submitted a proposal to change the method
of granting variances to zoning for individual projects. In effect, he is proposing that only a vote by the City Council
is needed & that the density be increased from 10 to 20 units per acer. This was not passed.
The BCRA voted against the proposition on 1/11/05. Mr
Torpy tabled his proposal for the Planning/Zoning meeting scheduled on (2/2/05) after the city staff recommended against
the proposal. He may bring it back up during the March P&Z meeting. Then the City Council will be voting on
the new proposed rules (TBD).
"City shoots down developer's request.
The Bayfront Redevelopment Agency won't be relaxing any of its requirements, despite
Castaway Development Ventures hopes it would ease restrictions for construction.
The agency on Tuesday decided against two proposed amendments that would have allowed
the City Council more flexibility in approving plans that don't conform to exisiting city requirements.
The Planning and Zoning Board will review the same proposals Feb. 2 and
make a separate recommendation to the City Council, which has the ultimate say.
Principals of the Castaway Development Ventures asked that the rules be relaxed
so the council could have leeway in projects in the Bayfront Mixed Use Village District. They propose multi-family developments
that don't conform to height, density, setbacks, parking or other site-sensitive issues.
Commissioner Edie Buckius said the agency must maintain its restrictions."
From Florida Today - Around the Community - 1/12/05
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Latest Updates
Statement of Support - Brouchure that you can print & sign or just use for reference
to support the Bayfront Redevelopment District Plan! Click Here.
New Status: January 2005: Mr. Torpy has submitted a proposal to
modify the method of approving variances to the zoning which applies to the Bayfront Village. In effect, this would
allow the City Council to directly approve individual projects and bypass the normal processes in place; on a site by site
basis. Click here to read the proposal.
This will be presented for comment to the BCRA on January 11, to be followed by comments
from Planning & Zoning, and then a vote by City Council.
August 2004: A special meeting to focus on this project was held on 8/18 with the BRD board
voting against the multiple proposals for high density condos within the Bayfront Village area. Part of the vote
was also to ensure the BMU-35 zoning and the Bayfront Village Plan was enforced.
The meeting was well attended by the public with
some excellent discussions given on both sides. Mr. Torpy modified his proposal to recognize that the beach front public
lands & the section of Bay Blvd running in front of it could not be vacated. And he provided another proposal to
include three buildings ranging in height from 9 to 13 stories, but he still preferred the 15 story option. Both proposals
still specify that most of Kirkland Rd and the north section of Bay Blvd be vacated and utilized by the development within
the gated community.
It all came down to the fact that the Bayfront Village is not intended to have any high density
condo projects, but is intended to be developed with mixed use & greenway projects (reference the BMU-35). The BRD
Plan does address support of high density condos within the South Cove section of the district, which is already zoned for this; along with the land management plan support.
The next step for the developer is to take his proposal to the Planning & Zoning Board. We believe the BMU-35 zoning should stand on its own at this session.
Then it will go to the City Council. Again, the City Council should support the decision of the BRD Board. Both
boards may need some input from the public to ensure the existing zoning & BRD Plan are supported, and to ensure
that the public roads are not vacated.
Of course, new proposals for development of this section of the Bayfront Village could be
proposed by Mr. Torpy which are BRD Plan Compliant. If that happens, we will let everyone know.
Other Updates
- Beach front property appears safe. One of our Palm Bay Point residents found the deed for that property,
which states that the property can not be developed or transfered. But the roads are still at stake.
- We need to stay focused on this project not being "BRD Plan Compliant".
- The BRD Plan for Bayfront Village is very well written and covers all of the items which our local community
desires from this area. It is worth supporting! Click on the link to see the plan and understand where this beautiful project will take us, if supported.
- Other property owners in the Bayfront Village area, on both sides of US1 have been contacted by condo developers
and are watching this project to see if the BRD Plan is going to be changed to allow condos in the village area.
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This project is currently being proposed for the Castaway Point area, at the mouth of Turkey Creek.
The development appears to be of a very high caliber. But a few issues have been identified by the residents of our
Turkey Creek community.
The first issue is of the buildings height. At just over 150 feet and 15 stories
high, twice the height of the condo's in south Palm Bay on US1! Not something that most residents
have envisioned for our historic downtown of Palm Bay.
The second issue is that this development is being proposed as a gated community. Again, not something
that will enhance & bring together our community, but instead wall off this core river front community.
| Castaway Point Park Beach |
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Third, the public right of way is being requested to be given or sold and will also be lost to the rest of
the community. This appears to include most of the river front and roadway that is currently owned by our city.
Issue Summary:
- Proposed Project is not Bayfront Villiage Plan Compliant.
- Height is Four times Bayfront Redevelopment District goals (35 feet).
- Gated community isolates instead of integrates.
- Sets precedence that will set new standards.
- Loss of public water front lands and roads.
- "The Project is just not Bayfront Village!"
Please send in your comments to both FOTC and our City Representivies.
---------- Click Pictures to Enlarge ---------
Letters written by Residents on the Creek
Don't wait to send in your comments!
Feel free to use the three steps below to send in your comments and start with a sample mail template.
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(or open new email and copy/paste the following addresses in the TO box):
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Copy/Paste the following to the Subject:
"Proposed Condominium at Castaway Point"
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Copy/Paste the sample into your email.
Edit as needed to reflect your opinions and send!
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The Bayfront Redevelopment District (BRD) shall be redeveloped
as an attractive, inviting, and economically successful mixed-use environment that promotes a positive
image and identity for the community. The area shall consist of several distinct special character districts with different
objectives. The most central of these shall host a community serving commercial district, Bayfront Village, the historic center of the community. The central
district/Bayfront Village shall be transformed and feature a turn-of-the-century Florida vernacular
style of architecture in keeping with the “village-like” historic character of the area; a compact built environment;
a traditional network of improved narrow streets; pathways leading to public spaces and enhanced views to the Indian River
Lagoon. A network of trails and public open spaces oriented along US Highway 1 shall connect the districts. The economic vitality
of the district shall be further enhanced by the development of incentives to encourage additional industrial development
in appropriate areas within the community. Economic redevelopment of the BRD shall result in the improvement of the economic
climate throughout Palm
Bay.
Florida Today News Articles
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| Too much, Too fast? Cocoa skyline. |
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| Image © 2004, Rik Jesse, FLORIDA TODAY |
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| Jul 14, 7:04 PM |
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| Image © 2004, Linda Jump, FLORIDA TODAY |
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