HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.21.2024
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Regular Meeting
March 21, 2024 Convened: 6:02PM
Adjourned: 8:04PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lounds @ 6:02PM
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Lounds
3. INVOCATION
Mr. O'Dell
4. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM, by Chair Lounds
Present
Board Member Billy O'Dell, Board Member Craig Mundt, Chair Ed Lounds, Vice-chair Ryan Binner,
Board Member Valerie Slack, Board Member Larry Neese, Board Member James A. Taylor
Not Present / Excused
Nicole Fogarty
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vice-chair Binner arrives at 6:07PM.
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6. DISCLOSURE(S)
None.
7. MINUTES
A. St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning Commission minutes for the meeting of February 15, 2024
RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Board Member Craig Mundt
SECONDER: Board Member James A. Taylor
AYES: Billy O'Dell, Craig Mundt, Ed Lounds, Ryan Binner, Valerie Slack, Larry
Neese, James A. Taylor
NAYS: None
EXCUSED: None
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Petitioned Text Amendment to CN (Commercial Neighborhood) Conditional Uses (LDC Sec.
3.01.03.Q.7.d.) to add the use of a Grocery (Food) Store, 6,001-15,000 square feet, operating 7 AM
- 9 PM.
STAFF PRESENTATION:
Thad Crowe, AICP, Senior Planner, with Planning and Development Services. Mr. Crowe stated
that all public notification requirements were met per St Lucie County Development code
section 11.00.03. Mr. Crowe gave a presentation on a petition submitted by Bradley Currie,
AICP, of Engineering Design & Construction, Inc. on behalf of Property Rental of Fort
Pierce, LLC. for a Text Amendment to the Land Development Code to amend Section
3.01.03.Q.7.d. to include the additional retail trade use of Grocery Stores between six
thousand one (6,001) and fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet in floor area on a parcel of at
least four (4) acres, with hours of operation between 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., as an eligible
Conditional Use within the Commercial Neighborhood (CN) Zoning District. To qualify as a
“grocery store”, staff recommended such a retail establishment stock at least 25% of shelf
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space with fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables. Mr. Crowe’s presentation provided information
on the background of the property, the current zoning, and the zoning that the
applicant would like the commission to consider and conditional uses. Staff found this
petition to meet the Standards of Review as set forth in Section 11.06.03 of the St. Lucie
County Land Development Code, and is not in conflict with the goals, objectives, and policies
of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. Staff recommended the Planning and Zoning
Commission forward this petition to the Board of County Commissioners with a
recommendation of approval.
BOARD DISCUSSION WITH STAFF:
Mrs. Slack asked if this could be an alternative type of grocery store (vegan, organic, similar to
Nelson Family Farms). Mrs. Slack believed that the verbiage in the Ordinance could be
reworded. Mr. Crowe responded that the wording could be looked at and Staff is open for all
suggestions.
Mr. Mundt stated that he did not see fruits and vegetables being mentioned in the LDC. Mr.
Benton, St. Lucie County Planning Manager and Mr. Taylor, Planning & Zoning Commission
Member, pointed out that fruits and vegetables are mentioned in the proposed Ordinance
and the location where it can be found.
Mr. Taylor makes a comment about making sure that the store does not turn into a
convenience store.
Mrs. Slack suggested the language could be changed to read, “stock and arrangement of
fresh fruit, fresh produce & fresh proteins.” Mr. Crowe agreed with the verbiage change.
Chair Lounds inquired about acreage and square footage. Mr. Crowe clarified.
APPLICANT PRESENTATION:
None.
BOARD DISCUSSION WITH APPLICANT:
None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
BOARD DISCUSSION:
None.
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RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Board Member Billy O'Dell
SECONDER: Board Member Craig Mundt
AYES: Billy O'Dell, Craig Mundt, Ed Lounds, Ryan Binner, Valerie Slack, Larry
Neese, James A. Taylor
NAYS: None
EXCUSED: None
B. Rodriguez-Midway PNRD (Planned Nonresidential Development) Rezoning & Preliminary
Development Plan
STAFF PRESENTATION:
Thad Crowe, AICP, Senior Planner, with Planning and Development Services. Mr. Crowe stated
that all public notification requirements were met per St Lucie County Development code
section 11.00.03. Mr. Crowe gave a presentation on a petition submitted by Bradley Currie,
AICP, of Engineering Design & Construction, Inc. on behalf of Property Rental of Fort
Pierce, LLC, proposing a Planned Non-Residential Development Rezoning (PNRD) and
Preliminary Plan which includes a 16,800 square foot commercial building; a 15,000 square
foot grocery store, and a 6,000 square foot commercial building. All buildings are proposed to
be a maximum of one-story with a height of 35 feet. Mr. Crowe’s presentation provided
information on the background of the property, the current zoning, and the zoning that the
applicant would like the commission to consider, conditional uses, and the public response
received back regarding the proposal. Staff recommended the Planning and Zoning
Commission forward this petition to the Board of County Commissioners with a
recommendation of approval.
BOARD DISCUSSION WITH STAFF:
See 9C.
APPLICANT PRESENTATION:
See 9C.
BOARD DISCUSSION WITH APPLICANT:
See 9C.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
See 9C.
BOARD DISCUSSION:
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None.
RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Board Member Billy O'Dell
SECONDER: Board Member James A. Taylor
AYES: Billy O'Dell, Craig Mundt, Ed Lounds, Ryan Binner, Valerie Slack, Larry
Neese, James A. Taylor
NAYS: None
EXCUSED: None
C. Conditional Use for 15,000 square foot Grocery (Food) Store within a Planned Nonresidential
Development (PNRD), located on the south side of Midway Road, 400 feet west of South 25th
Street.
Staff recommends the Planning & Zoning Commission forward a recommendation of approval
to the Board of County Commissioners, subject to the list of Conditions of Approval
in the Draft Resolution.
STAFF PRESENTATION:
Thad Crowe, AICP, Senior Planner, with Planning and Development Services. Mr. Crowe stated
that all public notification requirements were met per St Lucie County Development
code section 11.00.03. Mr. Crowe gave a presentation on a petition submitted by Bradley
Currie, AICP, of Engineering Design & Construction, Inc. on behalf of Property Rental of Fort
Pierce, LLC, proposing a Conditional Use in the PNRD Zoning District, to develop a 15,000 sq.
ft. grocery store on the south side of Midway Rd., 400 ft. west of S. 25th St. Mr. Crowe’s
presentation provided information on landscaping, lighting, buffers, and parking. Staff
recommended the Planning and Zoning Commission forward this petition to the Board of
County Commissioners with a recommendation of approval.
BOARD DISCUSSION WITH STAFF:
Mr. Mundt asked about the commercial property north of this proposed project and if it was
developed or undeveloped. Mr. Crowe answered, undeveloped.
Mrs. Slack inquired about the plans for the north undeveloped property. Mr. Benton,
Planning Manager, states that the previously submitted proposal has been withdrawn. Mr.
O’Dell asked for clarification regarding the traffic report. Mr. Crowe elaborated what the
traffic report stated.
Chair Lounds asked staff to explain the storm water flow. Mr. Crowe clarified.
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APPLICANT PRESENTATION:
Bradley Currie, AICP, Engineering Design & Construction, Inc. - 10250 Village Pkwy., Unit 201.
Mr. Currie petitioned on behalf of Property Rental of Fort Pierce, LLC. presented a petition for
an Amendment to the Official Zoning Atlas from AR-1 (Agricultural, Residential-1) Zoning
District to the PNRD (Planned Nonresidential Development) Zoning District and an associated
Preliminary PNRD Site Plan to develop a shopping center, with three buildings totaling 37,800
square feet, to be known as the Rodriguez-Midway PNRD for property located on the south
side of Midway Road, 400 feet west of South 25th Street, in unincorporated St. Lucie County,
Florida. Mr. Currie’s presentation provided the commission with information regarding the
rezoning to a PNRD, Text Amendment, and Conditional use. The presentation covered items
9B and 9C and voting to place separately.
BOARD DISCUSSION WITH APPLICANT:
Mr. Neese asked about the body of water in the NE corner of the site being manmade or
natural. Mr. Currie answered, manmade and it will be filled in.
Mr. Taylor wanted to know more about the proposed onsite security dwelling unit. Mr.
Currie elaborated.
Mr. Taylor asked for clarification on building sizes. Mr. Currie provided clarification. Mr. Taylor
mentioned elevations and architectural style. Mr. Taylor did not feel that what was presented
matched the White City neighborhood.
Vice-chair Binner inquired about the wall and it being 5 feet off property line and the berm
smothering the root of the trees. Mr. Currie explained that the berm does not have to come
from the wall.
Mrs. Slack mentioned the blockage along the drainage easement along the residential parcels
to the north and that the water may be draining onto the proposed property and how the
drainage will work between the proposed property and the residential area. Mr. Currie stated
that is something they can examine but would not be proposing to take on the residential
water onto their commercial site.
Mr. Mundt asked about the 35-feet height limitation and where the two-story building with
the security dwelling would be located. Mr. Currie explained that it would go in the middle of
the two 6,000 sq ft. buildings. Mr. Mundt asked where the dumpster would be located. Mr.
Currie showed him. The conversation continued the provision for dumpsters, noise, and
alcohol at the restaurant.
Chair Lounds inquired about the number residential dwellings. Mr. Currie clarified that there
is just one dwelling for security use only. Conversation continued with Mr. Benton, Planning
Manager, explaining the allowance for one residential unit for onsite security purposes.
Conversation continued regarding the selling of alcohol at the restaurant.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The public concerns were animal relocation, waterfowl, traffic, noise, smells from the
dumpsters, the parking lot lights, the buffers not being tall enough and overall safety.
Phil Pizzmenti – 2606 Gray Twig Ln – Nay
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Ellen Tulley – 2505 Gray Twig Ln – Nay
Debra Johns – 909 W Weatherbee Rd - Nay
Ronna Perry – 5080 W Virginia Dr - Yay
BOARD DISCUSSION:
Chair Lounds asked about the traffic coming into the property. Mr. Benton, Planning
Manager, explained the options that the developer and St Lucie Traffic team are looking into.
Conversation continues.
Mr. O’Dell asked Mr. Currie does he think that his client and staff come to agreement with
staff recommendation and neighborhood concerns. Mr. Currie stated yes.
Mrs. Slack comments on the lights in the parking lot being reduced after hours or lower the
lights, so it is not distracting to the surrounding residents.
Mr. Mundt commented that he is in favor of alcohol being served at the restaurant. Chair
Lounds comments on the security feature and accessory structure.
RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Board Member Ryan Binner
SECONDER: Board Member Larry Neese
AYES: Billy O'Dell, Craig Mundt, Ed Lounds, Ryan Binner, Valerie Slack, Larry
Neese, James A. Taylor
NAYS: None
EXCUSED: None
10. WORKSHOPS
None.
11. OTHER BUSINESS
None.
12. ADJOURN
There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.