West Melbourne: City Council Meeting January 20th, 2026
Summary. The West Melbourne City Council held their meeting on January 21, 2026, with Pat Bentley excused from attendance. The meeting focused primarily on the Stellar Townhomes development project, which involves rezoning 17.12 acres from commercial to residential for 133 townhouse units. The project requires comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning, and a development agreement. The Planning and Zoning Board had previously recommended approval with three conditions: preserving native trees in buffer areas, requiring one-year minimum residency before rentals, and increasing setbacks for Building 8. During council discussion, members raised concerns about corporate ownership, rental restrictions, and consistency with other townhome projects. The applicant ultimately agreed to all planning board recommendations, and the council approved first readings of both the comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning ordinances. The council also completed second readings for the Caracci Slivers land use cleanup project involving 3.12 acres near Hollywood and Eber Boulevard. Additionally, they conducted first reading of Ordinance 2026-01 relating to recovery residences, which incorporates state statutory requirements for certified recovery homes into the city code without changing existing zoning allowances. The council approved a $35,000 surveying contract with TLC for mapping transmission lines between the water and sewer plants, with City Manager Brody justifying bypassing the typical three-bid requirement due to time sensitivity. The meeting concluded with council reports covering holiday activities, youth advisory board updates, upcoming legislative session tracking, and extensive discussion of e-bike and e-motor enforcement policies.
Agenda Items
5A1. Stellar Townhomes - Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Amendment to change future land use from commercial/low density residential to medium density residential for 17.12 acres
- Property has been vacant and undeveloped despite commercial zoning since 1981
- Staff identified some inconsistencies with transition areas and wetland preservation policies
- Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval with conditions
- Applicant agreed to all recommended conditions including one-year residency requirement
5A2. Stellar Townhomes - Rezoning
Rezoning from Commercial New Haven and Residential Agricultural to R2 zoning
- Required to support the proposed townhouse development
- Consistent with city codes and provides appropriate transition
- Subject to approval of development agreement
5A3. Stellar Townhomes - Development Agreement (Draft Review)
Draft development agreement for review and discussion, with formal action deferred to second reading
- Limits density to 133 units and restricts to townhouse development only
- Includes architectural and landscape requirements
- Addresses rental restrictions and corporate ownership concerns
- Planning board recommended one-year residency requirement and enhanced setbacks
5B1/5B2. Caracci Slivers - Land Use and Zoning
Second reading approval of small parcels cleanup for 3.12 acres near Hollywood and Eber Boulevard
- Part of ongoing cleanup effort to match city designations
- Properties to be used as buffers, not for development
- No impacts to surrounding neighborhoods expected
8A. Ordinance 2026-01 - Recovery Residences (First Reading)
First reading of ordinance incorporating state recovery residence requirements into city code
- Ordinance adds state statutory criteria for recovery residences to city code
- Does not change existing zoning allowances - same zones that allow group homes
- Creates certification process aligned with state program
- Discussion of fee structure needed for applications
- State statute has four levels of recovery residences
- No ability to limit number of facilities city-wide due to state preemption
- Existing recovery residences already operate in city under state preemption
8B. TLC Surveying Contract - Water/Sewer Plant Transmission Lines
Approval of $35,000 contract for surveying transmission lines between water and sewer plants
- Need to map existing underground infrastructure between plants
- Confusion about location and depth of monitoring wells and pipes
- Time-sensitive due to ongoing water plant project
- TLC already has site knowledge and existing survey data
- Bypassing three-bid requirement due to urgency and contractor familiarity
- Cost to be charged to water plant contingencies
Motions & Votes
Motion to excuse Pat Bentley from the meeting
Moved by Miss Adams, seconded by Miss McGuire
Passed 6-0
Motion to approve first reading of ordinance 2026-03 (Stellar Townhomes Comprehensive Plan Amendment)
Moved by Miss McGuire, seconded by Miss Voltz
Passed 5-1
Motion to approve first reading of ordinance 2026-04 (Stellar Townhomes Rezoning)
Moved by Miss Adams, seconded by Mister Gaylord
Passed 5-1
Motion to approve second reading of ordinance 2025-32 (Caracci Slivers Comprehensive Plan)
Moved by Mister Frampus, seconded by Mister Gaylord
Passed 6-0
Motion to approve second reading of ordinance 2025-33 (Caracci Slivers Rezoning)
Moved by Mister Frampus, seconded by Mister Gaylord
Passed 6-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-01 for first reading as written
Moved by Mr. Frampus, seconded by Ms. Adams
Passed 6-0
Motion to approve and authorize the city manager to execute the TLC surveying contract
Moved by Ms. Adams, seconded by Mr. Frampus
Passed 6-0
Action Items
Finalize development agreement language for Stellar Townhomes including one-year residency requirement and enhanced setbacks
Assigned to Christie Fisher and City Attorney · Due Second reading meeting
Work out sidewalk connection details and property dedication for southern buffer area
Assigned to Stellar Townhomes applicant and staff · Due Prior to second reading
Develop fee structure for recovery residence applications
Assigned to Mr. Brody
Execute TLC surveying contract for transmission line mapping
Assigned to Mr. Brody
Finalize chili cook-off event date
Assigned to City staff · Due Early to mid February 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The West Melbourne City Council held their meeting on January 21, 2026, with Pat Bentley excused from attendance. The meeting focused primarily on the Stellar Townhomes development project, which involves rezoning 17.12 acres from commercial to residential for 133 townhouse units. The project requires comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning, and a development agreement. The Planning and Zoning Board had previously recommended approval with three conditions: preserving native trees in buffer areas, requiring one-year minimum residency before rentals, and increasing setbacks for Building 8. During council discussion, members raised concerns about corporate ownership, rental restrictions, and consistency with other townhome projects. The applicant ultimately agreed to all planning board recommendations, and the council approved first readings of both the comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning ordinances. The council also completed second readings for the Caracci Slivers land use cleanup project involving 3.12 acres near Hollywood and Eber Boulevard. Additionally, they conducted first reading of Ordinance 2026-01 relating to recovery residences, which incorporates state statutory requirements for certified recovery homes into the city code without changing existing zoning allowances. The council approved a $35,000 surveying contract with TLC for mapping transmission lines between the water and sewer plants, with City Manager Brody justifying bypassing the typical three-bid requirement due to time sensitivity. The meeting concluded with council reports covering holiday activities, youth advisory board updates, upcoming legislative session tracking, and extensive discussion of e-bike and e-motor enforcement policies.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 6 agenda items: Stellar Townhomes - Comprehensive Plan Amendment; Stellar Townhomes - Rezoning; Stellar Townhomes - Development Agreement (Draft Review); Caracci Slivers - Land Use and Zoning; Ordinance 2026-01 - Recovery Residences (First Reading); TLC Surveying Contract - Water/Sewer Plant Transmission Lines.
How many motions were voted on?
7 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
5 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
11 members were recorded as present: Mayor, Miss Adams, Miss McGuire, Miss Voltz, Mister Gaylord, Mister Frampus, Christie Fisher, City Attorney, Mr. Brody, Mr. Carey, Police Chief.
Where can I watch the full recording?
The full video recording is available on YouTube or embedded at the top of this page.
What county is West Melbourne in?
West Melbourne is located in Brevard County, Florida. Browse other Brevard County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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