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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.15.2024PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Regular Meeting August 15, 2024 Convened: 6pm Adjourned: 8:18pm 1.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6pm by Chair Lounds. 2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Lounds. 3.INVOCATION Commissioner O’Dell. 4.ROLL CALL Present Commissioner Billy O'Dell, Commissioner Craig Mundt, Chair Ed Lounds, Vice-Chair Ryan Binner, Commissioner Valerie Slack, Commissioner Larry Neese, Commissioner James A. Taylor Excused Ex-Officio Nicole Fogarty 5.ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 6.DISCLOSURE(S) None. 7.MINUTES Planning & Zoning Commission MeetingThursday, August 15, 2024 6:00 PM 2 | P a g e A.St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning Commission minutes for the meeting of July 18, 2024 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 8.PUBLIC COMMENT None. 9.PUBLIC HEARINGS A.Buc-ee's Fort Pierce, LLC petition for Zoning Atlas Amendment (Rezoning) to PRW (Planned Retail Workplace) and an associated Preliminary Development Plan STAFF PRESENTATION: Kori Benton, Planning Manager, with Planning and Development Services. Mr. Benton stated that all public notification requirements were met per St Lucie County Development Code Section 11.00.03. Mr. Benton gave a presentation for an Amendment of the Official Zoning Atlas to change the zoning designation on 46.63 acres from AG-1 (Agricultural-1) and PTV (Planned Town or Village) to PRW (Planned Retail/Workplace). The presentation proposed a Travel Center including a 76,245 sq. ft. retail store, 120 vehicle fueling spaces, parking, a flow way, bicycle parking, sidewalks, landscaping, three non-residential outparcels, and other related development, including the construction of Koblegard Road south of Indrio Road, to the southern boundary of the project. Mr. Benton included in details on mapping of the site, landscape plan, environmental impact assessment, architectural elevations, traffic report, and proposed sign package. Staff recommended the Planning & Zoning Commission forward a recommendation of approval to the Board of County Commissioners. BOARD DISCUSSION WITH STAFF: Commissioner Mundt asked how the scale of the building compared to a Publix. Mr. Benton answered than it is larger than Publix, but not as large as a super Walmart. Commissioner Mundt inquired about surrounding zoning. Mr. Benton pulled up a zoning map and explained the zoning. Planning & Zoning Commission MeetingThursday, August 15, 2024 6:00 PM 3 | P a g e Commissioner Slack inquired about what was proposed for the south edge of the site. Mr. Benton, responded that staff does not have a final development plan identified yet. Commissioner Slack commented on bike and walking connectivity for pedestrians and landscaping. Mr. Benton stated that is available and pointed it out on the site plan. Conversation continued. Commissioner O’Dell inquired about the impact fees and public responses received. Mr. Benton explained that the impact fees they are responsible for are Roadways, Law Enforcement, Fire & EMS, and Public Building, no direct public objections were received by staff. Commissioner Mundt asked about the possible usage on the outer parcels. Mr. Benton replied that there are provided a verity of general retail options. APPLICANT PRESENTATION: Kara Wood, District Planning Group, 130 S Indian River Dr., Suite 202 Fort Pierce. Ms. Wood started by introducing her team. Ms. Wood presented her clients proposal of a Buc-ees Travel Center, including a 76,245 sq. ft. retail store, 120 vehicle fueling spaces, parking, a flow way, bicycle parking, sidewalks, landscaping, three non-residential outparcels, and other related development, including the construction of Koblegard Road south of Indrio Road, to the southern boundary of the project. Ms. Wood asked the Planning & Zoning Commission to forward a recommendation of approval to the Board of County Commissioners. BOARD DISCUSSION WITH APPLICANT: Commissioner O’Dell asked if the applicant agreed to all the traffic conditions proposed by the staff. Ms. Wood stated yes. Commissioner Taylor asked for more clarification on the landscaping plan. Ms. Wood gave clarification. Conversation continued with Stan Beard, the Director of Real Estate and Development for Buc-ee’s, stating that St. Lucie County will be getting the St. Augustine's plan for landscaping. Conversation continued regarding concrete coverage, landscaping and shading. Carla Bloom, Landscape Architect for Buc-ee’s, stated that the trees going in are above minimum size requirements. Commissioner Slack inquired about the lighting and asked if the mass could be lowed. Stan Beard stated, they use the shortest mass possible, and all lighting is down lite. Conversation continues regarding the heat island effect, more landscaping, and electrical vehicle charging. Commissioner Mundt asked about safety and safety for patrons of Buc-ee’s. Stan Beard stated that they are very secure, and all personnel are trained in safety. Conversation continued regarding the sign and how they determined the 100ft. height request. Stan Beard replied that they use a method called the balloon test. Planning & Zoning Commission MeetingThursday, August 15, 2024 6:00 PM 4 | P a g e Commissioner Slack addressed staff regarding item B on the agenda, trying to get clarification on if the sign should be addressed in this discussion or should they be waiting. Mr. Benton answered because the sign is identified in the package, this line of question was appropriate. Conversation continued. Commissioner Lounds asked about the outfall for the drainage. Chris Hollen, PE, Kimley- Horn 445 24th Street, Suite 200, pointed out on the site plan where the water will flow out, and that it is gravity flow. PUBLIC COMMENTS: John Stephen Komendowski, 8327 Amalfi Cir. Mr. Komendowski is not in favor of the Buc- ee’s, he believes that this project is contradictory to the values of the TVC, which was created to preserve and protect the countryside. BOARD DISCUSSION: None. 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.Buc-ee's petition to amend the Land Development Code regarding signs in the PRW (Planned Retail Workplace) Zoning District, within the Towns, Villages and Countryside Overlay STAFF PRESENTATION: Kori Benton, Planning Manager, with Planning and Development Services. Mr. Benton stated that all public notification requirements were met per St Lucie County Development Code Section 11.00.03. Mr. Benton gave a presentation on the proposed Amendment of the St. Lucie County Land Development Code, Section 3.01.03.GG., PRW (Planned Retail Workplace) Zoning District to expand dimension standards for signs in the PRW Zoning District when adjacent to I-95 and meeting other threshold criteria. Mr. Benton’s presentation contained information regarding the amendment of the St. Lucie County Land Development Code (LDC), Section 3.01.03.GG.2. n., PRW (Planned Retail/Workplace) Zoning District Standards and Requirements, the proposed ordinance would permit the same maximum height and area for other signs adjacent to the I-95 corridor, in the PRW Zoning District, in a Highway Service or Warehouse Retail lot intended to service highway traffic. Staff recommended the Planning & Zoning Commission MeetingThursday, August 15, 2024 6:00 PM 5 | P a g e Planning & Zoning Commission forward a recommendation of approval to the Board of County Commissioners with conditions. BOARD DISCUSSION WITH STAFF: Commissioner Taylor inquired about the placement by I95. Mr. Benton stated that it was staff proposed modification. Mr. Taylor followed up with a comment about the city of Ft. Pierce being named on the sign instead of the county. Conversation continued. Commissioner O’Dell asked staff to clarify Travel Center vs Truck Stop. Mr. Benton explained that Buc-ee’s caters to the consumer, they do not allow or caterer to Semi-trucks. Commissioner Slack asked for clarification regarding language in the text stating that the sign would be able to be seen from local roads, but also stating it is perpendicular to the highway. Mr. Benton stated that the language could be refined. Commissioner Slack agreed with Commissioner Taylor that the sign should say Fort Pierce, not St Lucie County. Conversation continued about height of the sign, billboards, and setting a bad precedent. Vice-Chair Binner inquired why a variance is not being applied for instead of changing the code. Mr. Benton replied that changing the code allows for additional framework in the future. Conversation continued. Commissioner Mundt added clarification to the LDC amendment request for the height of the sign and the marketing aspects of a sign saying St. Lucie County. Commissioner O’Dell wanted to know what Fort Pierce LLC was. Mr. Benton answered that it is the name of the company that acquired the land. Chair Lounds asked staff for a view of the map with the balloon test. Mr. Benton brought it up, and Chair Lounds pointed out the curve in the road to the fellow commissioners. Conversation continued regrading height and height limitations. Commissioner Slack commented again about setting a bad precedent. APPLICANT PRESENTATION: No, applicant presentation. Kara Wood did make comments to the commission regarding their concerns and addressed the language in the proposed text amendment, particularly design standards numbers five and six that staff presented, stating that they would prefer that it is clear, not subjective and open to interpretation. She mentioned that she would be meeting with staff to clear some of the language. Mr. Beard added that they just need a sign that is tall enough to see from the highway that gives consumers time to exit safely. BOARD DISCUSSION WITH APPLICANT: Commissioner O’Dell asked what the sign would say, Fort Pierce or St Lucie. Mr. Beard reiterated that it is up to the County Commissioners. Conversation continues. Planning & Zoning Commission MeetingThursday, August 15, 2024 6:00 PM 6 | P a g e PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. BOARD DISCUSSION: Commissioner Mundt wanted it placed on the record that he does not agree that the sign should say Ft. Pierce, he would like to say St. Lucie. Commissioner Slack reiterated that she does not agree with this, and this is not a precedent we should set. RESULT:APPROVE MOVER:Board Member James A. Taylor SECONDER:Board Member Larry Neese AYES:Billy O'Dell, Craig Mundt, Ed Lounds, Ryan Binner, Larry Neese, James A. Taylor NAYS:Valerie Slack EXCUSED:None 10.WORKSHOPS None. 11.OTHER BUSINESS The September P&Z meeting will be on the 4th Thursday, September 26, 2024, instead of the 3rd Thursday in September. 12.ADJOURN There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:18pm.