Review and approve with conditions an application for Site Plan & Design Review submitted by Property Owner(s) S And S Land Company LLC, First Citizens Premises Co Inc, and Representative, Jason Gunther of Thomas Engineering to construct an Aldi Grocery Store at 1412 S US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL.  The properties are zoned General Commercial (C-3). Parcel IDs: 2415-601-0454-010-5, 2415-601-0450-000-4, 2415-601-0449-000-4, & 2415-601-0448-000-7).

• The applicant is requesting the review and approval of a Site Plan and Design Review application to construct a new retail grocery store at 1412 S US Highway 1.
• The proposed Site Plan for an Aldi grocery store includes a 19,787 S.F. structure, support access, parking, lighting, landscaping, storm water, and pedestrian improvements.
• Vehicular access to the site is provided via US Highway 1, Ohio Avenue, and South 3rd Street. The US 1 access is enhanced with the addition of a designated turn lane. A total of ninety-five (95) parking spaces (five of which are handicapped-accessible) will be provided with the new construction, in addition to stormwater drainage, lighting, and landscaping pursuant to City land development regulations.
• The application includes the offering of a corner clip of right-of-way at the southwest corner of their property to assist with the future reconstruction and realignment of the Ohio Avenue intersection, a ten (10) ft. easement dedication along South 3rd Street, and a preliminary design to assist in the City's effort to advance realignment of the Ohio Avenue & US Highway 1 intersection.
• This redevelopment project has guided a re-prioritization of the reconfiguration and improvement of the S Highway 1 and Ohio Avenue intersection, as there's a longstanding misalignment and deficient capacity for necessary turn movements. Updates regarding this initiative will be provided to the Commission as progress is made.
• The Planning Board, at their January 10th meeting, voted unanimously to recommend approval of the request with the conditions guided by staff.
   

Approval with the following conditions:

1.) The applicant enhances the design of the southern facade elevation to include integration of additional enhancements such as shutters, metal awnings, landscape plantings, or other articulation to punctuate this primary elevation pursuant to City Code Section 22-59 – Design Review, (g) – Design Guidelines;
2.) The applicant shall record and provide a recorded copy of a Unity of Title combining the subject parcels prior to issuance of a building permit;
3.) The applicant shall provide an Owner and Encumbrances title search for the easement dedication and right-of-way presented prior to the issuance of building permit; and
4.) The applicant shall record and provide a recorded copy of said dedications prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

Approval with alternative conditions
Denial

Kori Benton, Senior Planner

Technical Review Committee
St. Lucie County TPO & Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)