Board approves final site plan for Nova at Solaris (Pod 8) in Oak Ridge Ranches, 176 townhomes cleared

The St. Lucie County Board on July 22 approved the final site plan for Pod 8 (Nova at Solaris) within the Oak Ridge Ranches master-planned community, clearing 176 single-family attached townhome units in 4- and 6-unit buildings.
Staff and the applicant said the pod covers about 20 acres with a calculated density of 8.5 units per acre, within the approved PUD range. The developer, Meritage Homes (contract purchaser), proposed a single gated vehicular access from Glades Cutoff Road, a recreation area with pool and cabana, a central dry detention stormwater area with pedestrian trails, and a pedestrian link to adjoining Pod 7.
Planning staff recommended the board ask the developer to pursue additional internal vehicular connections to adjacent compatible developments where feasible to reduce external trips onto Glades Cutoff. Staff also recommended an opaque buffer along populated edges and typical tree/landscape planting plans to meet tree requirements. The board approved the site plan with conditions covering landscaping, sign compliance, completion phasing, plat and infrastructure surety, invasive-species removal and preconstruction environmental coordination.
The applicant said Meritage will develop both Pod 7 (detached single-family units) and Pod 8 (attached townhomes), which staff said helps internal connectivity and diversity of housing options.