MInutes

City Commission Work Session · 2026-06-22 · minutes

The City Commission held a work session to discuss a request to amend Chapter 58, Article I of the Land Development Code to add a new policy within the Future Land Use Element. This amendment would permit the subdivision or lot split of lakefront property meeting specific criteria. The request specifically impacts 1020 Palmer Avenue, also known as "Merrywood". The applicant, Tara Tedrow, presented the request, stating the amendment would allow the property to be split into two lakefront lots of more than 1.5 acres each with over 100 feet of lake frontage, preventing out-of-scale development. The property has been marketed extensively with limited buyer interest due to purchase price and significant renovation costs. Public concern was noted regarding the preservation of the historic Merrywood home. Commissioners discussed the tension between historic preservation and development rights, the economic feasibility of restoration versus redevelopment, and whether the proposed policy creates a special exemption. The Planning and Zoning Board had previously approved the Comprehensive Plan amendment. The current owners have approval to demolish the existing home, but demolition is paused. The meeting was a work session and no formal decision was made.