INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A public hearing over a special exception request to allow Roseland United Methodist to use land zoned for a single-family residence as a nine-car, grass parking lot, sparked tension between neighborhood residents and church leaders.
The special exception was approved 4-0 by the Planning and Zoning Commission at its meeting on June 26.
The church currently operates a food pantry three days a week and would use the parking lot located on the west of the church on the corner of 129th Ct. and 82nd Ct., for the convenience of those who utilize the food pantry’s services. According to leadership who spoke on behalf of the church, many people who use the food pantry are elderly or disabled.
Jackie James, a resident of the Roseland neighborhood and former member of the Roseland Neighborhood Plan Task Force argued that the parking lot and further, the presence of the food pantry, disturbs the neighborhood.
She listed delivery trucks, tractor trailers, and traffic issues related to the parking lot as items that “simply don’t fit” in the Roseland neighborhood.
Church leaders explained the food pantry serves more than 400 people per month, but is only open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with a single delivery truck arriving two Mondays per month. Additionally, the number of cars appearing in the grass parking lot at once is expected to be between four and five.
Commissioner Joe Flescher spoke in support of the parking lot plan. “I believe that the church has been good neighbors,” Flescher said. He added, the church had jumped through several hoops to ensure the impact of the parking lot would be minimal.
“I believe that first of all there is no increase in intensity here,” said Commissioner Bob Solari. “I believe this has been done to be as benign as possible.”
Solari made a motion to approve the plan as presented, with the exception that traffic engineering will not inspect and monitor the site to decide whether further signs will need to be installed. Conditions included in the motion was the approval of signage and striping, the installation of a landscaping buffer, and the prohibiting of outdoor lighting in the proposed parking lot site.
Solari’s motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Peter O’Bryan opposed.
