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Council Approves Plan to Encourage More Affordable Housing Development in the City of Melbourne

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The Melbourne City Council has approved a conceptual plan to make changes to city code that will help reduce costs and provide additional incentives to encourage more affordable housing development in the City of Melbourne.

 

The City of Melbourne currently has many incentives in city code to encourage affordable housing, such as the deferral of impact fees for the development of affordable housing units dependent upon the household income level. However, the need for affordable housing units is great, and Council has set a goal to increase the supply of affordable housing as part of a greater plan to reduce homelessness in the City of Melbourne.

 

The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and City staff recently completed a thorough review of the city’s current affordable housing incentives to determine what was working well and what could be improved. This study led to the following proposed changes to city code that were presented to Council at the September 29, 2021, meeting:

 

  • Allow a carport in lieu of an enclosed garage for single-family units.
  • Reduce required parking for one-bedroom multifamily units to one parking space.
  • Allow all multifamily residential parking spaces to be 10 feet in width.
  • Allow a decrease in the minimum living area for single-family units from 1,000 square feet to:

o   550 square feet for a one-bedroom unit,

o   650 square feet for a two-bedroom unit,

o   800 square feet for a three-bedroom unit, and

o   an additional 100 square feet for any additional bedrooms.

  • Allow accessory dwelling units on lots greater than 14,520 square feet instead of the current one-acre (43,560 square feet) requirement.
  • Reduce building setbacks for multifamily structures over one story in height.
  • Reduce the buffer area requirement for multifamily development from 50 feet to 30 feet and allow an opaque fence instead of a masonry wall when abutting single-family units.
  • Allow single-family infill lots to utilize the affordable housing development standards.
  • Allow residential development within a C-1 zoning district without requiring a conditional use.
  • Remove required thresholds for a minimum number of units in each income level to allow a development to be directed at one or multiple income level thresholds. (City Code currently requires 30% to 40% of the units from all three income categories.)
  • Allow a streamlined occupancy timeline for affordable units: 50% completion of affordable units when the overall development is 50% complete and then 100% completion of affordable units when the development is 100% complete.
  • Provide a minimum affordability timeframe of 20 years for the use of the development standards and to be incorporated into the Land Use Restriction Agreement.

 

Council gave conceptual approval of these changes and directed staff to return with an ordinance for future City Council review. The plan also calls for an allowance for a density bonus for the development of affordable housing units that will need to go to the Department of Economic Opportunity for review before it can be incorporated into city code.

 

For more information:

  • Watch the presentation by Community Development Director Cindy Dittmer and City Council’s discussion during the September, 29, 2021, City Council meeting.
  • Read the agenda memo from the September 29, 2021, City Council meeting.
  • Call Community Development — 321-608-7500 — if you have questions about developing affordable housing in the City of Melbourne.

 

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City of Melbourne Awarded State Grant to Fund Innovative Downtown Stormwater Treatment Project

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City of Melbourne Awarded State Grant to Fund Innovative Downtown Stormwater Treatment Project

he City of Melbourne has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure Program to fund a new stormwater treatment project that will transform existing landscaped features in Downtown Melbourne to planted landscaped boxes that can capture and clean polluted stormwater. In addition to keeping polluted stormwater out of the Indian River Lagoon, the project will help alleviate standing water that remains in the curbs after heavy rains.

 

The new treatment boxes will be installed within existing landscaped islands on the corner of New Haven Avenue and Municipal Lane and on the corner of New Haven Avenue and Vernon Place. Stormwater will be diverted into the boxes from the curb and filtered through layers of vegetation and treatment media.

 

The project will include use of two types of media, including a new media not previously used in the state of Florida. After the project is constructed, a team from the University of Florida will study and monitor the effectiveness of the different types of treatment media used. Results may help determine which type of media is most effective in removing pollutants, such as excess hydrocarbons, that are a particular problem in urban commercial areas like Downtown Melbourne. Lessons learned could help inform future projects in similar areas statewide.

 

The $200,000 grant will be used to construct the boxes. The City will contribute $25,000 for design and surveying services. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2022. 

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$50 Rebates Available for Installing Home Water-saving Features in Melbourne

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The City of Melbourne is offering $50 rebates to homeowners who install the following water-saving features in their homes:

 

Rain Barrels

Residential water customers who reside within the city limits of Melbourne are eligible to participate in the city’s rain barrel rebate program. Qualifying customers will receive one $50 rebate for installing a new 40-gallon or larger rain barrel. A rain barrel can save approximately 1,300 gallons of water during peak summer months. Rain barrels also help protect the Indian River Lagoon by reducing the amount of rainwater entering the stormwater system. More information about the Rain Barrel Rebate program is available on the city’s website.

 

High-Efficiency Toilets

All City of Melbourne residential water customers who get their water bill directly from the city can receive a $50 rebate for replacing a toilet that was installed before 1994 with a new WaterSense certified high-efficiency toilet (flush rate of 1.28 gallons or less). A family of four replacing a toilet from the 1980s could expect to save approximately 25,000 gallons of water per year by installing a new WaterSense toilet.

For more information, visit the city’s website.

 

Composters
Residential customers who live within the city limits of Melbourne can receive up to a $50 rebate for purchasing and installing a composter that has at least a 30-gallon capacity. Adding compost to your landscaping creates healthier soil that retains water and nutrients better and reduces the need for increased lawn irrigation and the use of fertilizers that can wash into stormdrains and pollute the Indian River Lagoon. More information about composting and the Composter Rebate Program is available on the City of Melbourne website.

 

How to Apply for a Rebate

Rebate application packets are available by calling the Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) Division at 321-608-5080 or e-mailing rebates@mlbfl.org. Rebates will be available until budgeted rebate funds are depleted or until September 30, 2022, whichever comes first. Only one rebate will be provided per account and/or per address with the same resident throughout the duration of the City’s rebate programs.

 

Gary Cooper Booking Photo[748]

West Melbourne-Puppy Owner Arrested

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West Melbourne-When you turn off your car, it can easily take only 10 minutes for the inside of your vehicle to raise by 20 degrees. On Friday, August 13th West Melbourne Police responded to the Walmart on Palm Bay Road due to a two month old puppy which was left in a hot vehicle and in distress. When the officer arrived on scene he discovered the puppy in the back seat weary and panting. The outside temperature was 92 degrees. The windows of the vehicle were cracked open but not enough for this helpless puppy to maintain a safe temperature. The officer was able to reach his hand through the window, unlock the door and remove the puppy who had been inside the vehicle for nearly 30 minutes. It would be another 5 minutes until the owner, Gary Cooper would walk out of the store where he was greeted by officers. Cooper was arrested and charged with Felony Animal Cruelty.
The puppy was turned over to Brevard County Animal Services, and Cooper was later released from the Brevard County Jail on a $5,000 bond. Dogs in hot cars can suffer from potentially fatal heat stroke in as little as 15 minutes. Dogs die in hot cars as they can overheat very quickly and struggle to cool themselves down, even when a window has been left open or water has been left in the car.

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State of Palm Bay Breakfast Set for August 24

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay, in partnership with the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce the inaugural State of Palm Bay Breakfast set for Tuesday, August 24, 2021. The event will begin at 7:30am and be held at the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center, located at 1275 Culver Drive NE.
 
During the program, guests will enjoy a catered breakfast as they listen to updates from the City of Palm Bay. Mayor Rob Medina will discuss economic development and his vision for Palm Bay. Police Chief Nelson Moya and Fire Chief Leslie Hoog will also deliver remarks on public safety. The event will also include a question-and-answer session with the speakers.
 
The State of Palm Bay Breakfast is open to the public; however, seating is limited. Admission is $20 for members of the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce and $30 for non-members. Visit https://palmbaychamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/16262 to reserve tickets.
James Turman

Military Tribute Banner Program Returns to Palm Bay

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay is proud to announce the return of their Military Tribute Banner Program honoring the world’s greatest defenders of freedom, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Beginning this Veterans Day, active-duty military, and veterans with ties to Palm Bay, will be honored with patriotic banners displayed at one of three locations throughout the city.
 
The inaugural program saw 37 different banners displayed at Palm Bay City Hall and Veterans Memorial Park from Veterans Day through Memorial Day. This year there are expected to be even more banners commissioned.
 
Palm Bay residents and business owners are invited to honor their beloved veterans, active-duty, reserve, and National Guard members by sponsoring a beautiful 24” x 48” full color banner featuring a photo of the honoree, their name, service details, as well as the name of the sponsoring family or business. The tribute banners will be displayed at Palm Bay City Hall, Veterans Memorial Park, or Fred Poppe Regional Park from Veterans Day 2021 through Memorial Day 2022.
 
The cost to sponsor a banner is $110 and reservations will be first come, first served. Participants will receive the banner after it is taken down next year as a keepsake and a “thank you” from the City of Palm Bay. Banners which are ordered and paid for before September 1, 2021, will sell for the early-bird price of $100. Gold Star families will receive their banner at no cost.
 
To sponsor a banner and for program details, visit www.militarytributebanners.org and select Palm Bay from the “Current Programs” dropdown menu or contact Andy Dimmig at andy.dimmig@pbfl.org. 
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City of Palm Bay Executes Purchase Contract for Pelican Harbor Marina

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – On Friday, August 6th, City staff joined Mike Timmons from Space Coast Marinas, LLC to execute the purchase contract of the three parcels known as Pelican Harbor Marina located on Dixie Highway in the Bayfront area in Palm Bay.
 
Space Coast Marinas submitted a counteroffer of $1.7 million to purchase the Marina for the development of a dry dock boat storage and service facility, boat launch and wash service, boat club, ship store, tiki bar with an outdoor entertainment venue, restaurant, and retail amenities to include a valet service. Space Coast Marinas intends to renovate the existing marina slips and construct and maintain a public boardwalk along the waterfront. Space Coast Marinas anticipates the overall capital investment for this development project to be at least $10-12 million and create approximately 302 new jobs. The developer has also purchased two privately owned parcels, a vacant 0.37-acre site located at 4200 Dixie Highway NE, and has under contract the Bait & Tackle located at the southwest corner of Dixie Highway and Pospisil Avenue NE.
 
Under current plans, the buyer will retain Paddling Paradise, which is currently in a month-to-month lease with the City to operate out of the existing 1600 SF facility at 4220 Dixie Highway NE. Paddling Paradise has offered kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and tours at this site for nearly two years, generating ecotourism to Turkey Creek and the Indian River along Palm Bay’s bayfront. “This is an exciting development project for the City,” said Joan Junkala-Brown, Deputy City Manager. “The proposed development will add value to what currently exists and further create an environment for residents and visitors to gather, eat, shop, and listen to live music whether arriving by boat or vehicle. This project will encourage further redevelopment of the area and hopefully serve as a catalyst to implement the City’s vision for a Bayfront Village, a quaint waterfront downtown district for the community to enjoy.”
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City of Palm Bay Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – For the 32nd consecutive year, the City of Palm Bay has earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the City’s fiscal year 2020-2021 budget. The award represents a significant achievement by the City of Palm Bay’s Budget Office, reflecting the City’s commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. To earn this recognition, the City budget must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for an effective budget presentation and excel as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications tool. “This award demonstrates the commitment and dedication given by the staff of the Budget Office in creating a quality annual budget submission for an unbelievable 32 years,” said City of Palm Bay Finance Director Larry Wojciechowski.
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Business of the Month: Palm Bay’s JamRock Grill Offers Authentic Jamaican and Caribbean Fare

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Hungry for a taste of the Caribbean right here in Palm Bay, or maybe you’ve always wanted to try traditional favorites like Jerk Chicken or Pork, Curried Goat of Chicken, Oxtail, and then wash it down with one of Jamaica’s traditional sodas or juices? Then you should definitely try Palm Bay’s JamRock Grill, a casual restaurant with a laid back and friendly Caribbean vibe, where you can find all of your favorites and maybe discover some new ones. We spoke with JamRock’s owners Garth and Michelle Williams via telephone to learn more about them and their restaurant. 

What brought you to Palm Bay?

“We were in Washington D.C. and we wanted a better place for our kids to grow up. My wife’s family was here, and when I visited, I fell in love with Palm Bay! And I knew this was a good place to do business,” Garth said.

Where did the idea for JamRock come from?

“We opened a music venue called Sugar Kane Lounge, and I grew tired of the party scene, and I had always wanted to open a place where people could come and enjoy good, authentic jamaican food. So I went back to the drawing board and we opened JamRock.” Garth explained.

Tell us about your menu, which items are most popular, and if there are any secret or family recipes?

Mr Williams explained that he’s always loved cooking and that all of the recipes are his own that he has put together over the years. Michelle added, “The most popular item we’re doing right now is the Jerk Chicken. Garth loves to grill, and we put the chicken on the grill outside so it gets that smokiness and tastes just like the chicken you would get in Jamaica. And people love our signature rum punch.” “I do the chicken on authentic Jamaican Jerk drum like it’s supposed to be, and the oxtail and the Curry Chicken are popular, too. The restaurant is a few blocks from Winn-Dixie, and people walking to Winn-Dixie smell the chicken and come into the restaurant!” Garth said.

How would you describe the vibe/atmosphere of JamRock Grill?

“The vibe is a love vibe, the colors are the colors of the Jamaican flag, and I love the look of wood, and it’s pretty much my design. The atmosphere is really good, and when you walk into JamRock you just feel love, and we get a lot of compliments on our customer service,” Mr. Williams said. Said Mrs. Williams, “Our daughter is our head cashier and she is really good at customer service, which we really strive for. We want people to leave smiling.”

What’s running a business in Palm Bay like, have you been well received by the community?

Garth answered, “I love my community and Palm Bay is a great place to run the kind of business that I am running. The people that I meet, all kinds of people from different cultures, and I get to talk to them, that’s really special for me. So yes, Palm Bay is definitely a great place for the kind of business we have. The majority of our clients are not from the Caribbean, we have a very diverse clientele.”

You opened your current location in July of 2020, during the heart of COVID. What was that like?

“It actaully gave me a lot of time to think and reflect on my plan. We were going so fast before the pandemic and then the pandemic hit really slowed us down. The slow time really helped to clear my mind and focus on the plan and the things that I could control,” Mr. Williams explained.

What’s in the future for JamRock Grill?

Garth explained. “We definitely want to expand and put in a full bar in, maybe bring in Caribbean  comedians and bands for live entertainment, and we really want to turn this into a Caribbean sports bar where folks can come in and watch their soccer or football or cricket or whatever, and drink some beer and shoot some pool. We want to expand what we offer so people will want to come for a happy hour and just enjoy themselves, maybe have some rum punch and good food. When I get this one just the way we want it, we definitely want to open the next location and we are thinking about franchising.”

JamRock Grill

160 Malabar Rd SW

Palm Bay, FL 32907

321 327-3036

http://jamrockgrillorder.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Jamrockgrill.321/

jamrockgrillinc@gmail.com

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Palm Bay Set to Consider Changes to Ordinance for City Council Vacancies

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7.14.2021- New update- Our city clerk has just confirm that the cost for the special election will be $253,628.04

Palm Bay- A change to the method by which Palm Bay fills vacant Council seats will be considered at the City of Palm Bay Regular Council meeting on Thursday, July 15, taking place in Council Chambers beginning at 7:00 P.M. The proposed change calls for vacant council seats to be filled by a majority vote of Council members rather than a special election, as the ordinance currently calls for.

This amendment to Chapter 50, Elections, of the City Code, was proposed by and the result of a collaboration of the Palm Bay Charter Officers, according to Terese Jones, Palm Bay City Clerk. According to Ms. Jones, the cost of the election to replace outgoing Councilman Jeff Bailey is unknown at this time.

 

For additional information about Thursday’s Regular Council meeting and to download the meeting agenda, click https://www.palmbayflorida.org/government/agendas-minutes/-folder-6003#docan1526_8367_2078

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