Board of County Commissioners schedule a special session for Thursday, April 24th at 9:00am
The special session will take place at 1801 27th Street in Vero Beach. We are calling on you stand with us in those chambers, to send a message to our leaders that we believe everyone has the right to housing.
The point of contention is whether or not the Life Recovery Center has the appropriate zoning. We did receive written approval from the county prior to the purchase of the property. But neighborhood opposition ensued. “We think you are doing a good work, we just don’t want you to do it here.”
The neighbors were aware of their right to appeal, but they did not file until two and a half months past the legal deadline. Meanwhile, operating in good faith, The Source was investing several hundred thousand dollars into the project. The county’s Planning and Zoning Commission permitted the appeal onto the docket anyway.
What should have been a simple ruling based on written ordinances has become a judicial roller coaster, fueled by emotionalism and politicism. The 21-month struggle has been costly, as the legal bills rise, the housing market crashes, and decent people still sleep in the woods.
Recent Ocean Concrete ruling should set precedence
As recently as March 24, the Board of County Commissioners ruled that an appeal can only be permitted if it meets the legal criteria set forth in the county’s written ordinances. A zoning appeal submitted by Ocean Concrete was disallowed because it was not accompanied by the required filing fee.
This case is remarkably similar to our own. The appeal made against The Source was not only late, but it was also not accompanied by the required filing fee. The commissioners acknowleged that the Ocean Concrete ruling would set precedence for all future zoning appeals, including The Source matter at hand.
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