A group of Palm Bay homeowners is pushing back against a new landscaping facility being developed on 15.4 acres near their neighborhoods, despite city officials saying the project complies with regulations. The site, located south of Foundation Park Boulevard, was rezoned by the Palm Bay City Council last year from residential to light industrial. Councilman Chandler Langevin was the sole council member to vote against the rezoning, calling it an unfair decision that prioritized industry over long-term residents. "For us to go in and change the zoning to have a major industrial operation come behind them, I just thought that really was unfair," Langevin said in an interview.
Glenda Stephenson, a Palm Bay resident for 40 years, is among those opposing the project. She worries about the potential impacts of the facility, including dust, odors, and the risk of rodents and insects. "I sit up at night. I really do," Stephenson said. Her home is on a well, and she fears contamination from the facility’s operations. "The most important thing is all of the houses here are on wells," she added. The area, which was previously zoned for residential use, is now set to host a landscape and tree recycling facility operated by Foundation Park Future Investments LLC, a company that also runs All Pro Land Clearing in Palm Bay.
The company’s owners have defended the project, pointing to its approved permits and compliance with Florida Department of Environmental Protection rules. "What I would like to see is that we’re really taking the concerns of the residents seriously," Langevin said, acknowledging the need for dialogue. The city has not publicly addressed the specific concerns raised by residents, according to available records. The facility’s construction is still in the permitting phase, and no timeline has been announced for completion.
Residents like Stephenson hope to pass their properties down to future generations but fear the facility will devalue their homes and harm the environment. "I hope to pass my property down to my children and grandchildren, but I worry about the future," she said. The city council’s decision to rezone the land has sparked a debate over balancing economic development with community interests in Palm Bay.