Sebastian soon could grow by 1,512 homes in the near future, after the City Council moved forward with annexation requests for almost 600 acres.
Saying they wanted to have greater control over development, City Council gave unanimous final approval May 13 to annexing 204.42 acres north of 73rd Street, known as Sebastian Pines; and gave preliminary approval to annex an additional 382.48 acres south of 69th Street, known as Cresswind.
It’s “growing with grace,” Council Member Sherrie Matthews said. “If it doesn’t belong to us, we don’t control it.”
Indian River County is open for development, which is even more of a reason for the city to approve the voluntary annexations, said Council Member Christopher Nunn.
“If we don’t approve this, the county will approve this,” he said.
Both properties are adjacent to the 2,044-acres Graves Brothers property, which was annexed into the city in 2023. Development of that property, just south of County Road 510 between 74th and 90th avenues, would be planned through mixed-use, planned unit development zoning in 400-acre parcels. It is currently undeveloped.
While approving the annexations, Mayor Fred Jones suggested the city not go further south in future annexations.
Owners of both properties plan to develop large housing developments in the future.
Sebastian Pines plans to build up to 612 homes on the property. Cresswind plans to develop the property as a 900-home 55+-community. Final consideration of the Cresswind property annexation is scheduled for May 26.
Neighbors and the Indian River Neighborhood Association — presenting a petition with 548 signatures — opposed the annexations and development. Opponents expressed concern over whether the city’s infrastructure could handle the additional growth.
“You’re bringing the density closer and closer to Vero,” said resident Gary Combs, who said he was concerned residents in the new communities would object to the more rural lifestyle of the area, which includes a shooting range less than a mile away.
Others, however, approved, saying city residents would benefit from developers having to adhere to the stricter city regulations than the county’s.
“The benefit is not the tax revenue. It is the control that Sebastian will have over what gets developed and how it gets developed,” said resident Louise Kautenburg.
“It’s their land, and they have a right to develop it,” said resident Sharon Herman. Sebastian needs to put the property within the city limits in order to control how it’s developed, she said.
“Please vote for annexation every chance you can,” she said.
Colleen Wixon is the Indian River County government watchdog reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida city oks annexations that could add more than 1,500 homes
Reporting by Colleen Wixon, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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