Proposed 811-home development advances in Melbourne as neighbors worry about flooding

A proposed D.R. Horton development that would bring 811 homes to a 424-acre site in Melbourne moved one step closer to reality Tuesday, drawing pushback from residents still dealing with recent flooding in parts of Brevard County.

The project site sits between two canals along the city’s western edge near Interstate 95.

Residents packed a Melbourne City Council meeting Tuesday night, raising concerns about flooding, stormwater and traffic and urging council members to stop the development.

Ultimately, the developer cleared several key logistical hurdles as city council voted to approve zoning and site plans.

Mary Koller, who said she has lived near the Pines development for 21 years, said her home took on water during last week’s storm in a way she said she had not seen before.

“Our garage flooded, and so did both of our porches,” she said. “Now that’s never happened before, even when Tropical Storm Faye dumped almost four feet.”

Koller said the prospect of additional development next door raises questions about where stormwater will go.

Asked if she is worried about flooding with the new development, Koller said, “Of course because you’re paving over the sponge.”

Juliet Misconi, D.R. Horton’s forward planning and land development manager, told council the company has made changes in recent weeks and plans to address traffic early in the buildout.

“Most of these improvements will be built or substantially built in the earliest phases of construction,” she said. “This is a realistic timeline. We have partnered also with one of the state’s largest FDOT contractors who specializes in complex roadway projects and maintaining existing traffic, including school drop-off and pick-up.”

The developer also said it plans to preserve 46 acres of wetlands and add curb extensions aimed at reducing stormwater runoff.

Misconi said various adjustments came out of a community meeting with stakeholders last week.

Some residents said the changes do not go far enough, pointing to damage and disruptions from last week’s storms.

Jessie Corby spoke in opposition to the project during Tuesday’s public comment.

“Last week’s historic flash flooding exposed a terrifying reality,” she said. “The St. John’s River, the Indian River and our infrastructure are maxed out, and have met their mathematical breaking points. We watched retention ponds fail, roads wash away, waterways fail and tragically two people lose their lives in this storm.”

Tuesday’s discussion marked another step in a long approval process. According to the developer, the project has approvals and permits from 10 government agencies.

D.R. Horton is expected to return to the Melbourne City Council next month. Residents who spoke Tuesday said they are concerned the window to influence how the project proceeds is narrowing.

A few told council they fear it is inevitable.