Resolution 25-R74 Approving an annexation agreement with Ashley Equities which defers annexation into the city until a certificate of occupancy is obtained for each phase of their project, and allows the development of the entire project within the Treasure Coast Education and Research Park to be accomplished under a master site plan approved under the County development code. 

Ashley Capital intends to obtain County approval of a master site plan for an industrial and commercial development on the 89-acre property it is purchasing from St. Lucie County, and on an adjacent 60-acres, which it already owns within the Treasure Coast Education and Research Park, north of Pruitt Research Road and west of Kings Highway.
 
Ashley Capital hopes to avoid delays in the development of the project which could result if parts of the project are annexed into the City of Fort Pierce  before construction of the entire site is completed.  To avoid this scenario, and to avoid the resulting delay and expense, Ashley Capital is requesting to enter into an Annexation Agreement with the City, setting forth the mutual understanding that, as construction of each phase of the project is completed, and certificates of occupancy are issued for each phase, the completed phases will be annexed into the City.   The City’s Technical Review Committee reviewed the proposed Annexation Agreement, identified internally as PZANN2025-00003, at its meeting on June 26, 2025 and all comments received were addressed and included in the presentation to the Planning Board.  The City’s Planning Board reviewed the proposed Annexation Agreement at its meeting on July 14, 2025 and had no objections to the agreement.

Adopt the resolution and approve the annexation agreement.

Do not approve or approve with modifications.

Linda W. Cox, City Clerk

Kev Freeman, Planning Director
Sara Hedges, City Attorney