US 1 4.29+~ Acres

Description:

It is located on the east side of N. Highway 1 about 700 feet north of Rockledge Drive in an area of unincorporated
Brevard County, Rockledge, FL 32955. According to the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization, traffic counts along U.S. Highway 1 near the Subject were 25,820 AADT during 2023.

Zoning The property in question has three zoning designations that align with specific future land use plans, with the majority of the site zoned as BU-1, which allows for general retail commercial use. The EA and EU designations are primarily associated with wetland areas located at the rear and eastern portions of the site. It is possible that these wetland areas could have their zoning changed to BU-1 if a developer opts to mitigate their impact, or they could retain their existing designations and be preserved as environmentally sensitive areas. In either case, the property can support a cohesive commercial development consistent with the BU-1 zoning.

Additionally, a site plan approved by the St. Johns River Water Management District in June 2009 supports this potential development. Although this site plan, which included four office/retail buildings totaling 27,490 square feet, expired in June 2014, it demonstrated that development could occur without impacting the designated wetland areas. The zoning designations for the property are as follows: BU-1 (General Retail Commercial), EA (Environmental Areas), and EU (Estate Use Residential), with BU-1 allowing for a broad range of commercial and light industrial activities.

Land Use Plan - The property has three future land use designations, each aligned with specific zoning classifications. These designations include Community Commercial (CC), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and Residential 4 (RES 4), all established by Brevard County. The locations of these future land use designations are depicted on the accompanying Brevard County Future Land Use map.

Utilities - The Subject has availability to municipal water and requires a septic system for development. An existing 16” water main is located along the western boundary of the Subject. It also has access to telephone, cable/internet, and electricity.

Topography - The subject site is generally level and at the same grade as the surrounding roadways and developments, with soil conditions deemed typical and adequate for vertical construction. The property contains 1.83 acres of wetlands, accounting for 43% of the total area, with dense vegetation present that would need to be cleared for any development. There is sufficient upland space along U.S. Highway 1 to support commercial development. Specifically, a small 0.09-acre wetland is located at the northwest corner, while the majority of the wetlands (1.74 acres) are situated at the rear and southeast corner of the site.

An environmental assessment is necessary if the wetlands are to be impacted, as it will determine the number of mitigation credits required. The wetlands are primarily classified as mixed wetland hardwoods, and credits for mitigation are available through the NeoVerde and Lake Washington Mitigation Banks, typically costing around $250,000 each. The previous owner's environmental assessment indicated no gopher tortoises on the site; however, a recent survey identified two gopher tortoise burrows, with relocation costs estimated between $5,000 and $8,000 per animal. The prior site plan effectively avoided the wetland areas, thus not requiring mitigation, but any future development impacting these areas will necessitate mitigation efforts.

The Subject neighborhood boundaries are generally identified as follows:

North - SR 520 (Merritt Island Causeway)
South - Viera Boulevard
East - Indian River
West - Interstate 95

The neighborhood is situated on the east side of North Highway 1, approximately 700 feet north of Rockledge Drive, in an unincorporated area of Brevard County, Florida. This community includes the City of Rockledge, parts of unincorporated Brevard County, and the southern extent of Cocoa. Characterized by established development, the area benefits from its proximity to the Town of Viera to the south and southwest, which has experienced significant growth. Rockledge itself spans 11 square miles, making it the fifth largest area in Brevard County, and features a diverse mix of land uses, including single-family residences, apartments, retail spaces, offices, industrial sites, and institutional facilities.

U.S. Highway 1 plays a crucial role in the neighborhood's connectivity, running through its eastern portion and serving as a high-speed link between Melbourne, Palm Shores, and Suntree to the south and Rockledge and Cocoa to the north. The Florida East Coast Railway runs parallel to the west side of U.S. Highway 1, supporting various industrial developments. Additional industrial pockets can be found along Gus Hipp Boulevard, Murrell Road, Eyster Boulevard, and Barton Boulevard. On the eastern side of U.S. Highway 1, there is a blend of office, retail, and light industrial development, alongside waterfront homes that offer scenic views of the Indian River.

Major shopping destinations in the neighborhood are prominently located along Barnes Boulevard, Viera Boulevard, and U.S. Highway 1, particularly north of Eyster Boulevard. The area predominantly features zero lot line single-family residential subdivisions, with some multi-story apartment projects also present. While most of the land in the neighborhood is already developed, there are still parcels of vacant land available, indicating potential opportunities for future development.

Transportation infrastructure is well-established, with SR 520 (Merritt Island Causeway) serving as the primary east-west roadway in the vicinity. SR 520 experiences some of the highest traffic counts in Brevard County, averaging 48,000 trips per day. This roadway connects the mainland areas to the barrier islands of Merritt Island and Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach and includes an interchange with Interstate 95, extending west toward Orlando. Secondary east-west roads, including Barton Boulevard, Viera Boulevard, and Barnes Boulevard, originate from U.S. Highway 1 and connect with key thoroughfares like Fiske Boulevard and Murrell Road.

The neighborhood features significant north-south roadways, including U.S. Highway 1, Interstate 95, Murrell Road, and Fiske Boulevard. U.S. Highway 1, which is referred to as Rockledge Boulevard, North Highway 1, and South Highway 1 throughout the area, serves as a vital traffic artery, facilitating high-speed access through central Rockledge, Cocoa, and Titusville to the north, as well as Palm Shores, Melbourne, and Palm Bay to the south. Recent enhancements have included streetscaping along U.S. Highway 1, improving its aesthetic and functional appeal.

Recent infrastructure improvements have further enhanced connectivity in the neighborhood. A new interchange was completed at the intersection of Viera Boulevard and Interstate 95, marking it as the third interchange in the area. Additionally, Barnes Boulevard has been widened to accommodate growing traffic demands. The intersection of Barnes and Fiske Boulevard provides a second access point to I-95, contributing to the overall traffic flow and accessibility of the neighborhood. These developments reflect ongoing efforts to support both residential and commercial growth in this dynamic community.