Despite passionate opposition from nearby residents, the Belleview Planning and Zoning Board voted 3-1 Tuesday night to recommend approval of a controversial rezoning request that would allow an 85-unit townhome development near SE 115th Street and SE 55th Avenue Road.
The recommendation sends the proposed development, known as The Grove at Belleview, to the Belleview City Commission, which is scheduled to consider the rezoning ordinance on first reading Aug. 18. A final public hearing and adoption vote is scheduled for Sept. 15.
The meeting drew a large crowd of residents from surrounding neighborhoods, many of whom urged board members to deny the request, arguing the development would worsen traffic, increase flooding, impact wildlife and place too much density in the area.
Traffic concerns dominated much of the discussion. Residents described SE 55th Avenue Road as heavily traveled and already in poor condition, questioning how the roadway would safely accommodate additional homes. Several speakers said the area’s infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with existing growth and argued the proposed development would make matters worse.
Flooding was another major concern raised throughout the evening. Multiple residents told the board the surrounding area already experiences drainage issues and questioned whether adding 85 townhomes would increase runoff.
Environmental concerns also surfaced during public comment. Residents said the wooded property provides habitat for wood ducks, gopher tortoises and other wildlife. One speaker referenced protections under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, urging the city to carefully consider the environmental impacts before approving additional development.
Several residents also questioned whether public hearing notices were properly posted along the property’s frontage, saying many nearby homeowners were unaware of the proposal.
City planning staff had already recommended approval before Tuesday’s hearing, finding the rezoning request is consistent with Belleview’s Comprehensive Plan, compatible with surrounding land uses and “does not promote urban sprawl.” Following public comment, the Planning and Zoning Board voted 3-1 to forward the same recommendation to the City Commission.
The developer is asking the city to rezone approximately 8.03 acres from R-3 to Residential Planned Development (RPD). Under the current R-3 zoning, about 64 homes could be built on the property. However, because the site is within a half-mile of Belleview’s downtown and allegedly includes connections to the “city’s sidewalk system”, the requested zoning would allow up to 11 homes per acre, or a maximum of 88 units. The developer’s plan calls for 85 townhomes.
According to the submitted master plan, the development would be constructed in three phases and include private internal roads, parking, stormwater retention areas and common open space maintained by a homeowners association. Additional reviews for transportation concurrency, drainage, utility extensions and site development would still be required before construction could begin, even if the rezoning is ultimately approved.
The proposal now heads to the Belleview City Commission, where elected officials will have the final say on whether the rezoning request moves forward. The commission is scheduled to consider the ordinance on first reading Aug. 18, with a final public hearing and adoption vote set for Sept. 15.
