CITY OF OKEECHOBEE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED

ZONING RECLASSIFICATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING will be held before the City of Okeechobee Planning Board (PB) on May 15, 2025, 6 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, at City Hall, 55 SE 3rd AVE, Rm 200, Okeechobee, FL, to consider and receive input on Rezoning Petition No. 25-002-R, submitted by Jeffrey Sumner, Agent on behalf of Diamond R. Fertilizer Co., Inc., the applicant, and the property owner, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Individually and as Successor Trustee of the Dowling R. Watford Revocable Trust under Agreement dated April 12, 2005, and Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Individually and as Successor Trustee of the Martha B. Watford Revocable Trust under Agreement dated April 12, 2005. The public and interested parties are invited to attend and be heard and may submit written/oral comments before the Hearing.

The Petition is to rezone 2.59 acres, from Residential Single Family-One to Industrial. The subject properties are located between NE 5th AVE to NE 7th AVE and NE 6th ST to NE 7th ST. The proposed use is to expand the existing Diamond R business, including storage and retail sales.

Legal Description: LOTS 1 THROUGH 12, INCLUSIVE OF BLOCK 81, AND LOTS 3 THROUGH 6, INCLUSIVE OF BLOCK 82, OKEECHOBEE, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 5, PAGE 5, PUBLIC RECORDS OF OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA.

The Petition can be inspected/viewed at the address above in Rm 101, during regular business hours, Mon-Fri, 8 AM-4:30 PM except for holidays, contact General Services staff at 863.763.9824. It will be posted online one week prior to the meeting date, with the PB agenda materials on the City website at https://www.cityofokeechoee.com/AgendaMinutes-Planning Board.html.

A Public Hearing for a Rezoning Petition is handled as a Quasi-Judicial proceeding, meaning a manner similar to a court hearing testimony and questioning presenters who provide substantial and competent evidence. A recommendation to approve or deny Petition No. 25-002-R will be forwarded by Ordinance No. 1316 to the City Council for first reading tentatively scheduled for 6 PM on June 3, 2025, at the address provided above. A final PUBLIC HEARING to consider the change in zoning will be held before the City Council tentatively scheduled for 6 PM on July 1, 2025, at the address provided above.

BE ADVISED that should you intend to show any document, picture, video, or items to the PB in support or opposition to any item on the agenda, a copy of the document, picture, video, or item must be provided to the Board Secretary for the Citys records. ANY PERSON DECIDING TO APPEAL any decision made by the PB with respect to any matter considered at this public hearing will need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceeding is made and the record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal will be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the General Services Office in person or call 863.763.9824, Hearing Impaired: Florida Relay 7-1-1 no later than four business days prior to proceeding.

By: Ben Smith, City Planning Consultant, No. 25-002-R

21705 LON 4/30,5/7/2025