Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and Approval of an application for a Site Plan (Development and Design Review) with a Conditional Use for an Innovative Residential Development by property owner Farrell Communities Fort Pierce Owner LLC, and representative, Michael Sanchez of Farrell Communities, to construct a 488-unit multi-family innovative residential development with a Clubhouse, Pool, Garages,  Recreational Courts, and associated site improvements at or near 2535 South Kings Highway in Fort Pierce, Florida, more specifically located at Parcel Control Number: 2323-501-0002-000-0.

The proposed development will include 488 apartment units, the new Clubhouse, Pool, Garages, Recreational Courts, new landscaping, drainage improvements, lighting, parking for residents and employees (919 standard spaces + 32 ADA spaces + 70 Bicycle spaces). The applicant is requesting approval of a Conditional Use to be considered an “Innovative Residential Development” per City Code Section 125-243 for two (2) additional units per acre; a density of twelve (12) units per acre.
 
The development plans provided with this submittal reflect two (2) “Potential Future Buildings”.  There are no entitlements for those buildings being requested as part of the subject application.  The Potential Future Buildings are set aside in case the above-referenced transit stop for the County’s Area Transit System is put into place in the future, in which case the Applicant intends to make application to the City to add additional units to the Project based on the additional density afforded through Comprehensive Plan Policy 1.1.5 which allows for a density bonus for developments located within ¼ mile of a rail station, multimodal transit center or transit stop.  
 
The Applicant has included a General Note on the Site Plan that states that no entitlements/units are assigned to the Potential Future Buildings as part of this approval but that allows City staff to review and approved/deny an application(s) to transfer units between buildings, including the Potential Future Buildings, and/or to phase the project so long as the design intent approved by the City Commission is maintained and overall density does not exceed 488 units.
 
It should be noted that the Potential Future Buildings are contemplated as all one-bedroom-unit buildings which Applicant feels will help serve the future housing needs of the area.  The architecture for the Potential Future Buildings is being presented as part of the subject application to allow for a comprehensive review of the Project at this stage.

The proposed Site Plan (Development and Design Review) and Conditional Use applications adhere to the requirements of the City Land Development Code and guidelines of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, Staff recommends APPROVAL of the requested applications with the following conditions:
 

1. Prior to the issuance of Building Permit approval, provide colored elevations to demonstrate that the proposed building conforms to the specifications of City Code          125-314, Design Review.
2. A completion certification by a landscape architect, cost estimate and landscape bond pursuant to City Code 123-6 shall be required before the Final Certificate of Occupancy is approved for the site.
3. Prior to the issuance of any site clearing permits, the applicant shall provide a Tree Mitigation Survey and coordinate with the City of Ft. Pierce Arborist for the required mitigation of the City regulated trees proposed to be removed as a result of this site’s development/construction activity.
4. If a monument sign is proposed, please consider installing a landscaped area around the proposed monument sign base which extends a minimum distance of three (3) feet in all directions. Such landscaped area shall be completely covered by ground cover and shrubs, hedges, or similar vegetative materials.
5. No entitlements/units are assigned to the Potential Future Buildings as part of this approval, but it allows City staff to review and approve or deny any application(s) to transfer units between buildings, including the Potential Future Buildings, and/or to phase the project so long as the design intent approved by the City Commission is maintained and the overall density does not exceed 488 units.

 

• Approval with alternate conditions
• Denial

Vennis Gilmore, Assistant Planning Director

Technical Review Committee