Emerald Lakes Palm Bay: Council Approves Phase 1, 4-0

Cassandra Hartford

2 days ago

3 min read

The Palm Bay City Council voted 4-0 on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to approve Emerald Lakes East, The Palm Bayer reported that night. It is the first eastern phase of Emerald Lakes Palm Bay, the regional activity center east of Interstate 95. The agenda carried Resolution 2026-24, the Final Development Plan for Emerald Lakes East Phase 1 (Case FD26-00001), and the first hearing of a development agreement with the owner, Excess Land Investment, LLC. Deputy Mayor Mike Jaffe was absent and Councilman Chandler Langevin attended by phone.

What Emerald Lakes Palm Bay Phase 1 Includes

The city manager's memorandum puts Phase 1 at 652 multifamily units and 1,106,700 square feet of nonresidential development on about 250.96 acres. Of that, 200,000 square feet is a 400-room hotel and 906,700 square feet is commercial, office and research space. Open space is 115.47 acres.

The site sits east of Interstate 95 on both sides of St. Johns Heritage Parkway SE, tax accounts 3040851 and 3000714, zoned Regional Activity Center. The staff report's September 2026 traffic study estimates 21,845 net new daily trips at full buildout, with a signal at St. Johns Heritage Parkway and Emerald Lakes East Boulevard once the eastbound approach reaches 600 afternoon peak-hour trips.

The development agreement amendment lets the developer build an optional 700-foot extension of St. Johns Heritage Parkway, called Phase 1D, in exchange for eligible impact-fee credits. The full master plan, per The Palm Bayer, covers 1,575 acres, up to 3,760 homes and about 2.82 million square feet of commercial space.

What the Developer Told the Council

Cole Zons of Zons Development said two east-side anchors are lined up: a retailer just under 200,000 square feet and a corporate headquarters of about 400,000 square feet. A third retailer of more than 200,000 square feet has already closed on the west side, he said. He put the total at roughly 1,000 direct permanent jobs and said the $15 million utility extension is about 95 percent complete. The Palm Bayer noted those are the developer's numbers, presented as claims.

Fire Service and Impact Fees

The approved plan ties occupancy to fire service. An aerial ladder truck must be in service when the hotel receives its certificate of occupancy, and a battalion chief must be in place at the 200th dwelling unit. Deputy City Manager Jason DeLorenzo told the council the city will not issue the CO without the required apparatus.

Impact fee figures differ by who is counting. Developer representative Pete Van Warner put the east side's impact fees at more than $20 million and the project-wide total at $82 million, due at building permit. Staff's presentation put the upfront figure at $16.5 million.

See the Planning and Zoning Board stage of Emerald Lakes and commercial investment listings in Brevard.

If you are buying or leasing commercial land or retail space in Palm Bay, call 321-514-0876 or use the contact page.

Sources

The Palm Bayer, October 15, 2026: the 4-0 vote, the developer's statements, the fire service triggers and the impact fee figures.
Palm Bay City Council agenda, October 15, 2026: Resolution 2026-24 (Case FD26-00001), the development agreement first hearing (Case DA26-00001), the city manager's memoranda and the FD26-00001 staff report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Emerald Lakes East Phase 1?

About 250.96 acres, with 652 multifamily units and 1,106,700 square feet of nonresidential space, including a 400-room hotel, per the October 15 city manager's memorandum.

Where is Emerald Lakes in Palm Bay?

East of Interstate 95 on both sides of St. Johns Heritage Parkway SE, per the FD26-00001 staff report.

Written by Cassandra Hartford, founder and CEO of Reach Commercial Real Estate. She has worked in Brevard County commercial real estate for 17 years, representing buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants across Florida's Space Coast.