*POSTPONED FROM MARCH 18, 2024* Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and approval of an application for a Major Site Plan Amendment (Development Review) by property owner, Ocean Village POA, and representative, Leslie Olson, Principal of District Planning Group, to construct a 5-court Pickleball Amenity for the Ocean Village Residential Development and associated site improvements at or near 2400 South Ocean Drive in Fort Pierce, Florida, more specifically located at Parcel Control Number: 2507-321-0001-000-5.

• The proposed development will include a 5-court Pickleball Amenity for the Ocean Village Residential Development and associated site improvements. The courts will consist of asphalt surfacing with 12-foot, 10-foot, and 6-foot-tall fencing, and surrounding buffer landscaping. The applicant submits that as the courts are to be utilized by residents only that additional parking is not required. However, if the courts are to be utilized by non-residents, then the consideration of an appropriate parking ratio should be applied.

 

• On September 7, 2021, the City Commission of the City of Fort Pierce approved a Site Plan (Development Review and Design Review) to construct a 6,426 square foot clubhouse with racquet courts. Following sound studies by the Property Owner’s Association (POA), the decision was made to design five (5) Pickleball Courts in a different area in order to make every effort to minimize potential noise impacts to the closest residents. This Major Site Plan application is the result of that reconsidered design and siting based on a sound study by an acoustic specialist, PSM LLC Pickleball Sound Mitigation, which is included in this Major Site Plan submittal as background and support for the Major Site Plan at the request of Staff. The applicant states that this Pickleball amenity has been designed to meet and exceed the City of Fort Pierce Code of Ordinances Sound Level Limitations (Section 26-40) for Residential Uses. While Section 26-40 sets a residential threshold of 60dB between the hours of 7:00 am and 11:00 pm, it was the POA’s direction to the acoustic specialist to design the courts to not exceed 50dB at the units nearest the proposed courts. The proposed site plan, landscaping and court buffering materials meet that higher standard, as discussed in the submitted sound study by PSM LLC.

 

• Ocean Village is a 40.02-acre gated planned community with approximately 3,500 feet of beach frontage consisting of condominiums and single-family homes. Ocean Village offers 24-hour security, a Par-3 9-hole executive golf course, tennis courts, heated swimming pools, a jacuzzi, sauna, fitness center, card room, and a library with WI-FI. The proposed clubhouse replaced the existing approximately 3,455-square foot clubhouse and proposed to provide a new court covering. The proposed site improvements included the removal of the existing building and asphalt, as well as the construction of the new 6,426 square foot clubhouse with modifications to parking, lighting, and water and sewer to serve the new building.

 

• The proposed pickleball courts total approximately 9,990 square feet. Per City Code Section 125-313. – Major and Minor Site Plan Application (b); a nonresidential or mixed-use development over 4,000 square feet in area is considered a Major Site Plan. Therefore, this site plan amendment application qualifies as a Major Site Plan Amendment.

 

• Staff have received several objections from residents which express concern over the type of noise and disturbance generated by activities generated by Pickleball. The City has initiated a comprehensive review of the existing noise ordinance through a consultant, who has been advised of the complaints and issues raised.

The proposed Major Site Plan Amendment (Development) application adheres to the requirements of the City Land Development Code and guidelines of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, Staff recommends APPROVAL of the requested application with the following conditions:
 

1. All activities at the pickleball courts shall comply with the City’s Noise regulations at all times.
2. Should the use of the courts hereby approved be extended to non-residents then prior to such use an appropriate parking study shall be submitted to the Planning Department for assessment of an appropriate parking ratio. Should the parking analysis prove the requirement, then additional parking shall be permitted and built prior to non-residents being granted access.
3. The noise attenuation panels and associated support fencing shall be maintained and remain in place at all times that the courts are in use.

 

 

1. Modified Approval.

or

2. Disapproval.

Vennis Gilmore, Assistant Planning Director

• Technical Review Committee
• Planning Board