Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and Approval of an application for a Major Site Plan (Development Review & Design Review) by property owner, Mehul Patel, and representative, PHMI WS Fort Pierce LLC, to construct a four-story, one-hundred and twenty-two (122) room hotel, grossing approximately 48,100 square feet with associated site improvements, located at 2480 South Jenkins Road in Fort Pierce, FL, more specifically located at Parcel Control Number: 2419-232-0003-000-6.

The subject site is located at 2480 South Jenkins Road in Fort Pierce, FL. It is comprised of approximately 3.39 acres of land and identified by the parcel number 2419-232-0003-000-6. The existing future land use (FLU) designation is General Commercial (GC), and the zoning classification is General Commercial Zone (C-3). The property is currently vacant. On October 24, 2024, the subject property was approved to be subdivided and create the adjacent property to the south as an outparcel. The outparcel was created for the potential use of an additional hotel to be constructed. Woodspring Suites development is primarily surrounded by residential uses; all single-family homes and one (1) commercial parcel. Immediately to the north and east there are single-family residences. To the west and across South Jenkins Road consist of single-family homes. The property to the south of the Woodspring Suites development is currently occupied by an Extra Space Storage as a commercial use. Properties to the west and east have St. Lucie County jurisdiction, future land use, and zoning.  
 
The site plan consists of the proposed 122-room Woodspring Suites Hotel with four (4) floors each containing approximately 12, 025 square feet. Per City of Fort Pierce Code Section 125-315. – Off-street parking and loading., motels, hotels, and resort hotels require 1.1 parking spaces for each unit less than 500 square feet. A total of 134.2 parking spaces would be required, the applicant has provided 135 -parking spaces with six (6) of those parking spaces being designated as handicapped ADA parking spaces.
 

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. A Landscape Maintenance Agreement will be required and approved by the Planning Department prior to Final Certificate of Occupancy.

 

2. A Landscape Inspection will be required and approved by the Planning Department prior to Final Certificate of Occupancy.

 

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. Install 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. Update the dumpster enclosure to the current standards by the Solid Waste Department which includes a pedestrian entrance.

 

6. Install a concrete, wood, or vinyl fence to buffer from the residential uses to the north and east.

 

7. Install a streetscape improvement such as tables or benches around or near the stormwater pond area or an outdoor recreation area.

• Approval with alternate conditions
• Denial

Vennis Gilmore, Senior Planner

Technical Review Committee
Planning Board