INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — In a public hearing on Tuesday, Community Development Director Stan Boling presented his staff’s recommendation to approve a major site plan and special exception use for a feed store to be built on the northeast corner of Oslo Rd. and 66th Ave.
The applicant seeking to build the feed store is known as Three Dogs and a Horse LLC, and will call the feed store “Audrey’s Feed Store.”
The property at the proposed site is zoned for agricultural use, which requires a special exception for a retail building. In the case of Audrey’s Feed Store, Boling said an exception could be made because the retail store would be compatible with the property’s agricultural purposes.
Commissioner Peter O’Bryan referenced a previous request to approve a special exception for a recycling plant in an agricultural area in which he held the opinion the plant was not compatible for the area.
But in the case of the feed store, “I can’t think of a use more appropriate” for the agricultural zone, O’Bryan said.
Commissioner Bob Solari said he was in support of the feed store and went as far to say he believed the feed store would improve the purposes of the agricultural zoning area and make it more likely the area would remain agricultural.
According to Boling’s report, the size of the property that would house the feed store is approximately 17 acres. The feed store building would be 6,816 square feet, and a second building that would serve as a hay barn would be 1,800 square feet.
Boling said the applicant was extremely cooperative in the planning process, going above and beyond to meet all rules, regulations, and standards required to build on the property and improve the agricultural use of the surrounding area.
A conceptual plan for the actual feed store was shown at the Board meeting and depicted a building that had several architectural features that were consistent with an agricultural theme including a large porch area, making it visually appealing for the area rather than resembling an industrial type warehouse.
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the major site plan and special exception use and encouraged Three Dogs and a Horse to move forward with the project.