The council approved a package of land‑use applications for Coconut Palm Plaza, a 10.74‑acre site at the southeast corner of North Lake Boulevard and Coconut Boulevard, allowing a two‑story medical office building (about 38,500 sq ft), an off‑campus emergency department (about 10,000 sq ft) and a convenience store with fueling.

Applicant counsel Zach Cecero and the project team presented revised plans that preserve roughly half the site as open space, maintain an upland habitat preserve of about 1.5 acres, provide dense buffering on the southern property line (a 3‑ft berm topped by a 6‑ft hedge) and reduce building mass compared with prior county approvals. Staff planning manager Samantha Maroney said the conversion from previously approved retail to medical use represented a “negligible” traffic increase and cited AM/PM peak trip comparisons presented in the staff packet.

Two council members (Vice Mayor Middleton and Council member Primeroso) recused because of conflicts disclosed on the record before the public hearing. After applicant and staff presentations and public comment, council voted to approve the rezoning, PUD site plan and associated waivers; the transcript records the motion as carrying with three affirmative votes while two members did not participate in the vote.

What residents said: Several nearby residents who rely on private wells opposed the gas‑station/fueling component, citing groundwater and drainage vulnerabilities in the acreage neighborhood and requesting protections; one speaker said the area uses private wells and urged the council to deny a gas station. The applicant’s representatives responded that modern fueling systems include 24‑hour electronic leak detection, double‑lined tanks and corporate monitoring and that corporate programs and third‑party auditors provide additional oversight.

Why it matters: The project delivers local medical services and fueling options to western parts of the city but raised environmental and well‑water concerns among nearby acreage residents. Council approved the package with recusals recorded and asked staff to ensure continued compliance with conditions and monitoring commitments.