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ST. LUCIE COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
P & Z Regular Meeting
August 17, 2017 Convened: 6:00 PM
Adjourned: 8:26 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairman William O'Dell
A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Invocation
By Mr. Hopkins
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
William O'Dell Chairman Present
James Clasby Vice Chairman Present
Edward Lounds Board Member Present
Craig Mundt Board Member Present
William Smith Board Member Present
Kara Wood Board Member Present
Bobby Hopkins At-Large Board Member Present
Robert Lowe At-Large Board Member Absent
James Taylor At-Large Board Member Present
Marty Sanders Ex-Officio Board Member Present
D. Announcements
None
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P & Z Regular Meeting Thursday, August 17, 2017 6:00 PM
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E. Disclosure(s)
Mr. Hopkins disclosed speaking with Mr. Gettler regarding the agricultural project. Mr. Lounds
spoke with Mr. Snell regarding the agricultural project and Mr. Clasby disclosed discussion of
agenda item #A.
2. MINUTES
Mr. Taylor had an edit to the July 20, 2017 minute disclosures...the wrong agenda item was noted that he
spoke with applicant. It should have been agenda item 'A' instead of 'B'.
The minutes were approved with this noted correction.
A. St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning Commission minutes for the meeting of Thursday, July 20,
2017
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: James Clasby, Vice Chairman
SECONDER: Craig Mundt, Board Member
AYES: O'Dell, Clasby, Lounds, Mundt, Smith, Wood, Hopkins, Taylor
ABSENT: Robert Lowe
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. FPL Interstate Solar Energy Center - Conditional Use Permit
Jeff Johnson, Senior Planner stated the applicant, Florida Power & Light (FPL) is requesting
conditional use permit approval for the construction and operation of a 74.5 MW Photovoltaic
(PV) Solar Center on +/-540 of agricultural land consisting of six parcels located west of
Interstate 95, northeast of the Florida Turnpike and north of Belcher Canal (C-25 Canal). The
proposed solar generation center is adjacent to an existing FPL transmission line and will create
clean, renewable energy by converting sunlight via photovoltaic solar arrays into direct current
(DC) electricity. This zero emission electricity will be converted into alternating current (AC)
utilizing power inverters and will be carried to the collector substation where the voltage is
boosted for transmission through the electric grid. The solar panels stand approximately two
feet off the ground at their lowest point and are approximately six to seven feet in height at
their highest point. The facility is unmanned with restricted access. FPL employees do not
report to this location, and maintenance crews park inside a secured fenced area. No water or
fuel is needed to operate or maintain the facility. Construction will be accomplished within a
six to ten month period.
P & Z Regular Meeting Thursday, August 17, 2017 6:00 PM
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Amy Brunges representing FPL gave a detailed presentation along with Josh Long, Land Use
Planner from Gunster Law firm. They answered the boards questions regarding wind lifts,
neighborhood meetings and was congratulated on the solar energy.
Public Hearing open
Eve Reese of the Audubon Society spoke and was in favor of the project
Public Hearing closed
RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Craig Mundt, Board Member
SECONDER: James Clasby, Vice Chairman
AYES: O'Dell, Clasby, Lounds, Mundt, Smith, Wood, Hopkins, Taylor
ABSENT: Robert Lowe
B. Margiric Farm Agricultural Labor Housing - Conditional Use Permit
Jeff Johnson, Senior Planner stated the applicant, Margiric Assett, LLC is requesting a
conditional use permit to allow for the construction of 20 modular dwelling units of agricultural
labor housing on a 20 acre parcel of land located approximately three miles west of Interstate
95 on the south side of Indrio Road. The applicant submitted two companion development
petitions, a major site plan for the proposed housing project and a land development code text
amendment to allow mobile homes as a permitted housing type for agricultural housing. On
August 1, 2017 the applicant withdrew their text amendment request to add mobile homes as a
permitted use and now proposes modular construction which is considered a single family use
type. The residences will be located on the west side of the parcel adjacent to an existing
21,650 s.f. packing housing. Each dwelling unit will be modular, constructed with a permanent
foundation and will house no more than six individuals with a maximum stay of ten months.
Mike McCarty of McCarty & Associates gave a presentation. He answered the Board's
questions regarding how many people, septic fields, transportation to and from stores,
convenience, visas.
Public Hearing open
No one spoke
Public Hearing closed
RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: James Clasby, Vice Chairman
SECONDER: James Taylor, At-Large Board Member
AYES: O'Dell, Clasby, Lounds, Mundt, Smith, Wood, Hopkins, Taylor
ABSENT: Robert Lowe
C. Tilton Dog Retreat- Conditional Use Permit
Mr. Smith was excused from the meeting and did not vote on this item and there was a short
recess.
P & Z Regular Meeting Thursday, August 17, 2017 6:00 PM
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Bethany Grubbs, Planner did a presentation for applicant Matthew and Jann Rudd. The subject
property is a 9.76 acre parcel located on Tilton Road off of Prima Vista Boulevard. This item was
advertised in the St. Lucie News Tribune on August 1st, and mail notices were sent out to
surrounding property owners within the 500 foot requirement. On May 31st, a neighborhood
meeting was held by the applicant on-site. Staff received phone calls from three neighbors
requesting additional information, along with multiple e-mails speaking concern. The subject
property is zoned AR-1 Agricultural, Residential at 1 dwelling unit per acre. The properties to the
north, south and west are zoned RM-5, Residential, Multi-Family - 5 du/ac, the property to the
east is zoned AR-1, Agricultural, Residential - 1 du/ac. The future land use of the subject
property is RU, Residential Urban at 5 du/acre. The operation of an enclosed dog kennel facility
is permitted as a conditional use within the Agricultural, Residential zoning district. The
standards of review requires compliance with the Land Development Code and the
Comprehensive Plan. This petition meets the standards of review set forth in Land Development
Code Section 11.07.03. Staff analysis indicates the proposed use is consistent with the St. Lucie
County Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.
Public notice was provided in accordance with Section 11.00.03 of the Land Development Code.
To date, the conditional use response forms received by the Planning Department include:
2 not in favor
0 no opinion
1 in favor
1 returned not filled out
Staff recommends that this petition be forward to the Board of County Commissioners with a
recommendation of approval.
Mike McCarty of McCarty & Associates represented the Rudds and answered numerous
questions from the board along with staff. The agent was commended on measures taken
regarding the issues of compatibility, noise, buffers and trying to appease the neighbors.
Public Hearing open
Two citizens from the neighborhood spoke against the project
Ed O'Connnor spoke for the project
Public Hearing closed
Ms. Wood was excused from the meeting and did not vote on this item.
RESULT: APPROVE [6 TO 0]
MOVER: Edward Lounds, Board Member
SECONDER: James Clasby, Vice Chairman
AYES: O'Dell, Clasby, Lounds, Mundt, Hopkins, Taylor
ABSENT: Robert Lowe
AWAY: William Smith, Kara Wood
5. WORKSHOPS
P & Z Regular Meeting Thursday, August 17, 2017 6:00 PM
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A. There are no items scheduled.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
A. There are no scheduled items.
7. ADJOURN
There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
Please Note: Final minutes are recorded in the official minute books that are filed with the Clerk of the
Circuit Court and available for inspection upon request.