Stacey Barchenger

FLORIDA TODAY

A proposal to change the land use of a river-view property in Palm Bay — a hybrid hotel and substance abuse treatment center — has some neighbors concerned.

The owners of the Tropical Inn Resort are asking the city to change the property's residential use to commercial in order to fix a discrepancy with its zoning. A decade ago previous owners had asked the city to approve residential use to allow for a housing on the site. While the continued use as a hotel was grandfathered in as part the previous zoning, the proposed change would allow future commercial uses of the property. Some residents are rallying against that.

The 1964-motel sits south of Port Malabar Boulevard on U.S 1, with views of the Indian River. It has been various ventures in recent years: Formerly a Days Inn, calendar listings from 2012 billed it as a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender resort.

Now owned by STF Investments, it is operated as a motel, the Tropical Inn Resort, and substance abuse treatment center, Tropical Wellness Center. It was licensed as a treatment facility in April 2013, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. A representative of STF did not return a request for comment for this story.

Jean Simon, leader of the neighborhood crime watch, received a letter from the city last month notifying her of the proposed change. She fired her own letter back, asking the city to not "subject the homeowners to any more fear" or harm.

"We have worked very hard for many years to clean up this area," she wrote. "Allowing the operation of a rehab center so close to residents already dealing with drug problems could and has caused physical harm and property damage."

Simon acknowledged the need for such facilities.

"We're not against the rehab itself, we just don't want it in our front yard," she said.

Palm Bay City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 120 Malabar Road SE.

Contact Barchenger at 321-242-3669 or sbarchenger@floridatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @sbarchenger