UPDATE! Our voices were heard! Please scroll to the bottom of this page for full details. Commissioner Earman has assured us that, due to community concerns, this item will not be brought forward again. It has been removed from the agenda for Tuesday, February 10th, so attendance at the meeting is no longer necessary.

Original Petition Here:

In the heart of Indian River County lies a precious 18-acre parcel of land that was conveyed in 2008 to the Indian River School District for the purpose of building a school. The deed clearly states that if no school is constructed within 20 years, the property must revert to the County for use as public open space or a park.

The School District has not built a school and does not intend to. The land is scheduled to revert to the County on July 1, 2028.

We, the residents and supporters of Indian River County, urge you to honor the existing deed restrictions on the 18‑acre parcel located in the northwest quadrant of 49th Street and 51st Court in Vero Beach (Parcel #32‑39‑21‑00001‑0010‑00001.1).

This land provides local wildlife with a safe haven, supports an array of biodiversity, and offers residents a natural sanctuary to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature.

We oppose any effort to:

• Remove or alter the deed restriction
• Rezone or repurpose the land for residential development, including workforce housing
• Transfer the property early for uses inconsistent with the original public benefit

Why this matters:

• A promise was made. The land was secured through a Development of Regional Impact agreement with the understanding that it would become public open space if not used for a school.
• Residents relied on this commitment. Homeowners invested in this area expecting the parcel to remain non‑residential.
• Green space is essential. Parks and open areas support community health, environmental balance, and quality of life.
• Infrastructure is already strained. Additional housing would increase traffic, congestion, and demand on public services.
• Public trust depends on honoring agreements. Changing the deed after nearly two decades undermines confidence in county planning and transparency.

Our request:

We call on the IRC Board of County Commissioners to:

1. Allow the property to revert to the County on July 1, 2028, as required.
2. Preserve the land exclusively for public open space or park use.
3. Reject any proposal to redesignate the property for workforce housing or other development.
4. Commit to transparent, community‑inclusive planning for the future of this land.

Open spaces have been proven to enhance property values, improve air quality, and promote community wellbeing by providing spaces for recreation and leisure. As urban areas expand, maintaining adequate green spaces becomes even more crucial for fostering a healthy and vibrant community. Similar initiatives in other cities have shown that communities flourish when they have access to abundant natural spaces.

The environmental benefits of preserving open spaces—such as carbon sequestration, habitat protection, and stormwater management—are invaluable. By protecting this land, Vero Beach can make a significant contribution to combating climate change and protecting endangered species in our area.

We understand that Workforce housing in Indian River County (IRC), Florida, aims to provide attainable housing for middle-income workers, generally targeting households earning between 60% and 120% of the area median income (AMI), often serving teachers, police officers, and healthcare workers. Local initiatives, including partnerships with Indian River Habitat for Humanity, focus on developing projects in areas like Oslo Park, Gifford, and Vero Lake Estates to address housing shortages, offering options like 300-500 hour "sweat equity" homeownership programs. 

While there is a need for workforce housing, a Promise, and a legal Deed Restriction was made back in 2008:  that the land (secured through a Development of Regional Impact agreement) would become public open space if not used for a school.

We call upon the Indian River County Board of Commissioners to take decisive action in declaring the 18-acre parcel as Non-Residential based on the original Deed of the land.  This action not only preserves the essence of our community but also sends a strong message about our commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible growth.

Join us in this crucial effort to protect our most fragile environment. Your signature is vital in urging the IRC Board of Commissioners to recognize the value of this land as a public resource.

Sign this petition to help ensure that future generations can enjoy the lush greenery and natural beauty of Vero Beach as we do today.