Sebastian City Council Overturns Planning Commission Decision, Approves Controversial RV Storage Facility
The Sebastian City Council has unanimously voted to approve a contested site plan for a new RV and boat storage facility, overturning a previous rejection by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. The decision, finalized during a public hearing on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, grants Ameron approval for a site plan, conditional use permit, and waiver request that had previously stalled due to community safety concerns.
The development dispute highlights an ongoing tension between property rights, expert testimony, and resident concerns regarding traffic and neighborhood impact in Indian River County.
The Path to Approval
The conflict began in December 2025, when the Sebastian Planning and Zoning Commission denied the Ameron proposal. At the time, commissioners concluded that the outdoor storage facility did not meet the necessary criteria to ensure public health, safety, and welfare were protected. Specific concerns were raised regarding the potential for increased traffic and the suitability of the location for heavy recreational vehicles.
However, representatives for Ameron quickly filed an appeal, challenging the legality of the Commission’s denial. The applicant’s legal team argued that the rejection was based on “layperson” testimony regarding traffic congestion rather than “competent substantial evidence.” Ameron’s representatives pointed to a traffic statement prepared by their project engineer, which estimated an increase of 78 daily trips and concluded that a full traffic study was unnecessary.
Council Sides with Expert Analysis
During the appeal hearing on January 28, the Sebastian City Council sided with the applicant. The discussion centered on whether the Planning and Zoning Commission had the legal standing to ignore expert analysis in favor of resident testimony.
Ameron’s attorney argued that the rejection was “at odds with the expert analysis performed by the project engineer.” Council members ultimately agreed with this assessment, voting unanimously to reverse the Commission’s decision. The Council determined that the expert data provided by the applicant satisfied the legal requirements for the permit, despite the objections raised by the lower commission.
Community Concerns Regarding Easements and Traffic
The approval has sparked frustration among some residents, particularly regarding the impact on the nearby Ashbury community. Critics of the project fear that the introduction of nearly 80 additional daily trips—many involving large, slow-moving RVs and truck-trailer combinations—will exacerbate dangers at an already difficult three-way intersection.
Furthermore, opponents have raised legal questions regarding the use of easements in the area. Resident Richard Kszystyniak, in a public letter regarding the development, cited Florida statutes concerning the overburdening of easements on servient estates.
“The burden of a right-of-way upon the servient estate must not be increased to any greater extent than reasonably necessary and contemplated at the time of initial acquisition.”
Residents argue that when the easement near the Ashbury community was granted in 2005, a high-volume commercial storage facility for large vessels and vehicles was likely not the intended use. Despite these arguments, the Council’s decision to approve the plan signals that the project will move forward, bringing new commercial infrastructure to the growing Sebastian area.
