Commission tables developer impact-fee credit requests and approves Waste Management PO while urging code and process fixes
March 16, 2026 | Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Florida
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Two separate developer requests for transportation-impact fee credits drew extended debate on March 16 after staff said the city’s current code limits credits to capital improvements on the city’s capital-improvement program (CIP) and that county-owned roadways generally do not qualify under the existing definition.
Devin Wheaton of Wheaton Holdings told the commission he had donated right-of-way along Hartman Road and expected an $8,000 refund or credit; the county granted a proportionate credit and Wheaton sought the city share. Planning Director Kevin Freeman said the city’s impact-fee offset code requires that eligible improvements be on the city’s CIP; because Hartman is a county road the staff recommendation was to deny the requested credit under current code. Commissioners repeatedly said it was unfair to a developer who privately improved or dedicated right-of-way on a road used by city residents; staff and the city attorney argued the commission cannot approve an offset inconsistent with municipal code without changing the code.
Commissioners heard a similar case (LDL of Fort Pierce, Peters Road) where a county roadway improvement had already been built to county standards and the county issued a partial credit; again staff said the city could not legally apply the offset under current code. Rather than deny the requests outright, the commission voted to table both matters for 90 days and directed the city attorney and planning staff to prepare code amendments and a plan for how impact-fee credits or reimbursements should be handled going forward.
Separately, commissioners debated and ultimately approved a consent purchase order (item 11C) not to exceed $1,650,000 for solid-waste landfill fees under the existing Waste Management contract. Several commissioners protested Waste Management’s performance (rail-train and terminal complaints) and called for the city to plan an RFP to seek alternate vendors before the contract renewal window.
What’s next: staff and counsel will return with proposed revisions to the impact-fee offset code and a recommended process for handling credits or property-donation reimbursements; the city manager and public-works staff will prepare an RFP timeline and update the commission on solid-waste options before the contract renewal deadline.
Devin Wheaton of Wheaton Holdings told the commission he had donated right-of-way along Hartman Road and expected an $8,000 refund or credit; the county granted a proportionate credit and Wheaton sought the city share. Planning Director Kevin Freeman said the city’s impact-fee offset code requires that eligible improvements be on the city’s CIP; because Hartman is a county road the staff recommendation was to deny the requested credit under current code. Commissioners repeatedly said it was unfair to a developer who privately improved or dedicated right-of-way on a road used by city residents; staff and the city attorney argued the commission cannot approve an offset inconsistent with municipal code without changing the code.
Commissioners heard a similar case (LDL of Fort Pierce, Peters Road) where a county roadway improvement had already been built to county standards and the county issued a partial credit; again staff said the city could not legally apply the offset under current code. Rather than deny the requests outright, the commission voted to table both matters for 90 days and directed the city attorney and planning staff to prepare code amendments and a plan for how impact-fee credits or reimbursements should be handled going forward.
Separately, commissioners debated and ultimately approved a consent purchase order (item 11C) not to exceed $1,650,000 for solid-waste landfill fees under the existing Waste Management contract. Several commissioners protested Waste Management’s performance (rail-train and terminal complaints) and called for the city to plan an RFP to seek alternate vendors before the contract renewal window.
What’s next: staff and counsel will return with proposed revisions to the impact-fee offset code and a recommended process for handling credits or property-donation reimbursements; the city manager and public-works staff will prepare an RFP timeline and update the commission on solid-waste options before the contract renewal deadline.
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