Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Ordinance 25-020 - Review and approval of an application to rezone a single parcel containing approximately 11.54 acres and being located at or near 3804 Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Pierce, from Single Family Zone (R-1) zoning to Planned Development (PD) together with a Planned Development Final Site Plan for forty-eight (48) single-family residences. The application is submitted by applicant Blaine Bergstresser, KMA Engineering & Surveying, on behalf of owner DT VENTURES 1 LLC. - FIRST READING.

This application is proposing a rezoning to a Final Planned Development (PD) together with a Planned Development Final Site Plan for forty-eight (48) single-family residences, on 11.54 acres (4.16 units per acre), at 3804 Sunrise Boulevard. The property is zoned R-1 with a future land use of RL. The site was recently annexed into the City of Ft. Pierce and has a City Zoning of R-1 and an existing City Future Land Use of Low Density Residential (maximum 6.5 units per acre). The site is bordered by St. Lucie County single-family RS-3 zoning on the south and west. To the north is a cemetery and to the east is a Florida Department of Transportation building, both with industrial zoning.

The proposal was first heard by the City Commission at their July 21, 2025, meeting and continued in order that the applicant could revise the plan. An amended proposal was presented to the Planning Board at their September 8, 2025, meeting. The Planning Board determined to recommend denial based on the lack of on-site school bus stop/turn-a-round and the number of proposed units (50). Subsequently, the applicant presented an updated and revised site plan to the Planning Board at their October 13, 2025, meeting. The Planning Board recommended approval based on the revised site plan, which included a school bus turn-a-round and a reduction in the number of dwelling units to 48. The amended site plan is presented as part of this agenda item.

The City's R-1 zoning is primarily intended to provide for areas of single-family dwellings with an average net density of less than four (4) units per acre for conventional developments. The proposed Planned Development Zoning has a density of 4.16 dwelling units per acre and is therefore requesting 2 additional units. The Low Density Future Land Use allows a density of up to 6.5 dwelling units per acre (75 units).

The proposed Planned Development zoning incorporates several public benefits, including:

• The construction of 1,230 ft of sewer forcemain along Sunrise Boulevard.
• Improvement and maintenance of an existing drainage ditch and record a 20 ft easement.
• A school bus turn-a-round with sheltered bus stop.
• Sidewalk along the frontage of the property north to the intersection of Sunset Boulevard with Bell Ave.
• Reinforcement and enhancement of the buffer area along the south boundary of the property.
• In addition, a number of resident amenities are included within the site plan.

The proposed development is considered to meet the health, safety and welfare of the city through appropriate site plan design and infrastructure improvements by reason of the provision of an extended sidewalk, improved stormwater management and extension of water and sewer line.

Based on findings that the proposal is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and that the proposal promotes the public health, safety and general welfare, through site design and infrastructure improvements, and that the proposed and revised application meets the standards of the City’s Code Section 125-212, and 125-314. 

Staff recommend the City Commission APPROVE the application, subject to the 13 conditions as noted, with a recommendation of APPROVAL to the City Commission.

Approval with alternative/additional conditions.

Or

Disapproval.

Kev Freeman, Planning Director

Technical Review Committee
Planning Board
City Attorney's Office