Janet Begley, Special to TCPalm Published 5:01 p.m. ET Oct. 7, 2020

Vero Beach City Hall(Photo: SAM WOLFE/TCPALM)

VERO BEACH Nearly 200 new housing units could be built here after the City Council Tuesday approved annexing land along Indian River Boulevard.

Schwerin Asset Advisors of Vero Beach had asked the city to annex the 24 acres, at the southeast corner of Indian River Boulevard near 41st Street. The council voted unanimously for the annexation and set a final adoption hearing for Nov.17.

City zoning rules would allow construction of up to 10 units per acre, butSchwerin Asset Advisors said it would limit development to the eight units per acre currently allowed by the county zoning code.

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However, because of the lands proximity to the Indian River Lagoon, Vice Mayor Laura Moss questioned why it is not considered environmentally sensitive.

As you can see, eventually everything that can be developed will be developed, said Moss. And when you have development, it has impact, and it is environmentally sensitive since it isso close to the lagoon.

The land is located near other multi-use properties along Indian River Boulevard,according toCommunity Development Director Jason Jeffries.It is bordered on the east by conservation land owned by the Indian River Land Trust; onthe north by aresidential community; and on the west by land under development for apartments.

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A traffic study commissioned by developers found the property has the potential for 189 multi-family units such as townhomes.

Those additional homes would create 1,028 additional vehicle trips per day, well within the road's capacity, the study found.

City Manager Monte Falls said it makes sense for property owners to seek annexation into the city.

"Id like to think everybody would like to annex into the city of Vero Beach because of the service they get from us and the personal attention, said Falls. "We have a great law-enforcement group, and I think they get personal attention here at all times.

Janet Begley is a local freelance writer. If you like articles like this and other TCPalm coverage of Treasure Coast news, please support our journalism and subscribe now.

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Annexation could bring nearly another 200 housing units to Vero Beach - TCPalm