Brevard County Planning and Zoning Board Case 26Z00043: Shamrock Drive Rezoning From AU to RR-1 on November 16

The Brevard County Planning and Zoning Board, which also sits as the Local Planning Agency, will hold a public hearing on case 26Z00043 on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Viera. The request would change the zoning of a 2.27-acre parcel from AU (Agricultural Residential) to RR-1 (Rural Residential). The parcel is on the west side of Shamrock Drive, 306 feet north of Bouganvilla Drive, in District 1. The stated purpose is to split the vacant parcel into two lots and build one single-family home on each lot. County staff comments list a later hearing before the Board of County Commissioners on December 10, 2026.

What the Applicant Is Asking For

The agenda lists the request as item H.7. The owner is Nancy E. Ruiz, and the applicant is Michael Coop, Sr. The tax account number is 2002158.

Staff states that the parcel is vacant land. Under the current AU zoning, staff lists a development potential of one unit. Under the proposed RR-1 zoning, staff lists two units. Staff notes that these figures are for concurrency analysis only.

Staff states that the parcel will use a well for water and septic for sewer. The parcel has direct access to Shamrock Drive, which staff describes as a county-maintained road.

How AU and RR-1 Compare

The staff comments describe the two zoning classes this way.

• AU is meant for farming uses and spacious single-family homes on lots of at least 2.5 acres, with a minimum lot width and depth of 150 feet. The minimum house size is 750 square feet. AU allows the raising and grazing of animals, fowl, beekeeping and plant nurseries.

• RR-1 is meant for spacious single-family homes on lots of at least one acre, with a minimum lot width and depth of 125 feet. The minimum house size is 1,200 square feet. Horses, barns and horticulture are allowed as accessory uses to a home.

Both classes can be considered under the parcel's Residential 1 (RES 1) future land use designation. Staff states that RES 1 permits up to one dwelling unit per acre.

The Lot's History

Staff states that the parcel took its current size on February 28, 1973, by a deed in Official Records Book 1328, Page 621. It is part of the Indian River Subdivision and is also known as Lot 6 of the Robinswood Unrecorded Subdivision.

When the county zoning code began on May 22, 1958, AU required a minimum lot size of one acre. On March 6, 1975, the county raised the AU minimum to 2.5 acres. The parcel does not meet the current 2.5-acre minimum. Staff states that it qualifies as a nonconforming lot of record because it met the AU rules when it was created. The owner received a Letter of Nonconforming Lot of Record through administrative action 26AA00080 on September 14, 2026.

The Site and Its Surroundings

The staff comments describe the parcels next to the site as follows.

• North: a 2.1-acre parcel with a home, AU zoning and RES 1 land use.

• South: a 2.1-acre parcel with a home, AU zoning and RES 1 land use.

• East, across Shamrock Drive: a 2.24-acre parcel with a home, RR-1 zoning and RES 1 land use.

• West: a 2.42-acre parcel with a home, AU zoning and RES 1 land use.

Staff states that the parcel to the east was rezoned from AU to RR-1 in 1997 but has kept its 2.24-acre size. Staff also states that the two new lots would be smaller than the 2-acre plus parcels in the surrounding area.

Within half a mile, staff counts five future land use designations, with RES 1 the most common. Staff counts six zoning classes, with AU the most common. Staff describes the area as single-family homes on lots from 1.03 to 6.41 acres. Staff found no new development in that half mile over the past three years. Staff also found no approved but unbuilt development there in that time.

Staff Findings

The staff comments do not include a recommendation of approval or denial. They do include several findings.

• Staff states that the request is not anticipated to materially or adversely affect the surrounding development.

• Staff states that the request is not expected to have a measurable effect on trip generation or parking, and no commercial or industrial activity is proposed.

• Staff identified no material violation of Comprehensive Plan policies.

• Staff states that the area is an existing single-family residential area and is not considered transitional.

• The nearest road segment, U.S. 1 between Lionel Road and Burkholm Road, operates at 35.28 percent of its daily capacity. Staff projects 35.35 percent with the change.

Environmental Notes

Natural Resources Management staff notes that the northwest part of the parcel contains mapped wetlands and hydric soils. A wetland delineation will be required before any land clearing, site plan design or building permit submittal. Section 62-3694(c)(1) of the county code generally limits residential uses within wetlands to one unit per five acres, with an exception for some legally established smaller parcels.

The entire property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area A. Staff states that development on the parcel is subject to the county floodplain rules, including compensatory storage. Protected and specimen trees likely exist on the parcel.

Staff states that this is a preliminary review based on maps and does not include a site inspection. Staff encourages the applicant to contact Natural Resources Management at 321-633-2016 before any plan or permit submittal.

How the Rezoning Process Works

Section 62-1151(c) of the county code directs the Planning and Zoning Board to recommend approval or denial of each rezoning application to the Board of County Commissioners. The board bases its recommendation on factors listed in that section. They include the character of the land use around the property and changes in conditions since the current zoning was set.

The staff comments also ask the board to evaluate compatibility under Administrative Policies 2 through 8 of the county's Future Land Use Element.

Who May Be Affected and What It May Mean for Them

The owner and applicant are directly affected. If the county approves the rezoning, the parcel may be split into two lots for one home each, subject to the wetland, floodplain and tree rules noted by staff. Neighbors on Shamrock Drive and nearby streets may wish to review the staff comments, since the new lots would be smaller than most nearby parcels. Nothing is final. The Planning and Zoning Board makes a recommendation, and the Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to hear the case on December 10, 2026.

The agenda includes a public comment period. The agenda cites Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, and states that persons who need special accommodations or an interpreter should notify the Planning and Development Department at (321) 633-2069 no later than 48 hours before the meeting.

The staff comments state that the board may wish to consider if the request is consistent and compatible with the surrounding area. The Planning and Zoning Board meets on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the Commission Room, Building C, Brevard County Government Center, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera.