Legislativel Hearing - Ordinance 23-058 - An ordinance by the City Commission of the City of Fort Pierce amending the city’s zoning atlas and establishing a zoning designation of planned development (PD) for three (3) parcels containing approximately 122.8 acres and being generally located at or near the northeast corner of Selvitz Road and Devine road and west of Christensen road in Fort Pierce, Florida;
Subject property: Parcel ID(s): 2432-211-0006-000-3, 2432-211-0005-000-6, 2432-343-0001-000-4 - SECOND READING

Request for review of application for a Zoning Atlas Map Amendment of three (3) parcels of land to change the Zoning classification from Low Density Residential (R-1) to Planned Development (PD).

The application was presented to the City Commission at the first hearing on October 16^th, 2023. Several concerns were raised by neighbors of the site during the meeting, these included: Traffic, infrastructure, pattern of development, buffers, and impact on residential property owners on Christensen Road.
 
As a result of comments from citizens, the City Commission granted approval (vote of 4-1) subject to an additional condition (to the 16 recommended by staff), to the effect that all residential traffic must access the planned development from the southern access point along Selvitz Road. (Minutes attached to the agenda item).
 
Staff should point out that the applicant does not meet this condition. The applicant has since resubmitted with a detailed site plan that meets City Code 125-212, has reduced the number of units in POD 2 from 74 to 12, increased the lot widths in POD 2 to match the adjacent residential lots along Christensen Road, and included a passive park and potential trail connection at the northwest corner of Christensen Road and Devine Road.
 
The original submittal, as reviewed at first hearing, proposed the following;
Pod 1: Single Family Homes/Townhomes (400 Units)
Pod 2: Single Family Homes/Villas, Duplex, Triplex, Quadraplex, Cottage Homes (74 Units)
Pod 3: Multi-Family Apartments (325 Units)
Pod 4: Light Industrial RV & Boat Self-Storage
Pod 5: Light Industrial
TOTAL UNITS: 799 (6.5 units/Acre)

A revision to the site plan proposes the following (Revision to POD 2 from 74 to 12 units):
Pod 1: Single Family Homes/ Townhomes (400 Units)
Pod 2: Single Family Homes/Villas, Duplex, Triplex, Quadraplex, Cottage Homes (12 Units)
Pod 3: Multi-Family Apartments (325 Units)
Pod 4: Light Industrial RV & Boat Self-Storage
Pod 5: Light Industrial
TOTAL UNITS: 737 (6 units/Acre)

The applicant also submitted proposed amendments including the addition of a park and potential trail connection.

Based on the revised submittal, staff recommends DENIAL of the proposed Zoning Atlas Map Amendment.
 
Reason: City Commission’s condition (#17) to access the residential properties only from Selvitz Road has not been met.

However, the City Commission should note that the applicant has submitted proposed amendments including the addition of a park and potential trail connection and reducing the number of proposed properties on Christensen Road.
 

APPROVAL of the proposed ZONING ATLAS MAP AMENDMENT with the associated development plan with the existing seventeen (17) conditions.
or
APPROVAL of the proposed ZONING ATLAS MAP AMENDMENT with the associated development plan with changes and/or alternative conditions (including conditions relating to the amendments to POD 2).
 
Staff Notes
Should the Commission be minded to accept the revised plan, then Condition 17 should be stricken and the following (3) conditions added:
 
17. The northern +/-1,320 feet of the north-eastern frontage of Pod 2, which has direct access from Christensen Road, shall only be developed for single-family residential use and each lot shall be no less than 165 feet in width.
 
18. The applicant shall improve the northern end of Christensen Road by constructing a cul-de-sac prior to the final certificate of occupancy of any residential development within POD 2.
 
19. A passive recreation area shall be constructed consistent with the attached Exhibit A at the southern edge of Pod 2, at the intersection of Devine Road and Christensen Road prior to final certificate of occupancy of any residential development within POD 2.
 

Vennis Gilmore, Assistant Planning Director

Technical Review Committee
Planning Board