Commission approves 122.8‑acre Selvitz mixed‑use PD, limits primary residential pod to 300 units

The Fort Pierce City Commission on May 20 voted to approve a plan‑development (PD) zoning application to allow a mixed‑use project on about 122.8 acres at the northeast corner of Selvitz Road and Divine Road, adopting staff’s recommended 22 conditions and asking that the low‑density single‑family component (Pod 1) be limited to 300 units.

The approval came after a first‑reading quasi‑judicial hearing in which city staff described the revised submittal, noting the applicant removed a previously proposed Part 2 and eliminated an access point on Christiansen Road. Staff recommended approval with conditions addressing access, mitigation and infrastructure. Dan Soro, the applicant’s land planner, said the PD would mix light industrial uses (including boat/RV storage and small commercial), garden‑style apartments and roughly 300 single‑family homes, and described a conservation easement already dedicated to the South Florida Water Management District to protect wetlands.

Neighborhood speakers told the commission they worried the project would worsen flooding, strain local roads and remove open space. Jill Sunderland, who lives on Christiansen Road, urged commissioners to ‘‘limit the number of units’’ and said the community needs ‘‘smart and sustainable’’ growth. Amy Quay pressed the commission to require documented compliance with state gopher‑tortoise relocation law before any disturbance. Gabriela Clayson asked that sidewalks be preserved and sought clarity on whether the single‑family area would be gated. Resident Glenn Smith said the project felt ‘‘too dense’’ compared with surrounding low‑density areas.

The applicant responded to those concerns on the record. Dan Soro offered to cap Pod 1 at 300 units, confirmed the Christiansen access had been removed and said the gated perimeter would include a locked emergency‑only access (with Knox box or an approved digital opener) for EMS. He also said gopher‑tortoise surveys must be done within 90 days of construction and that the developer will provide documentation of relocation or mitigation consistent with state requirements. On traffic, Soro said the project’s proportionate‑share payments and coordination with the county’s long‑range thoroughfare plan would fund necessary widening of Selvitz Road.

Commissioners asked for procedural clarifications about phasing and how the 300‑unit commitment would be memorialized. Planning staff and the applicant agreed the site‑plan revisions and a clarified unit count would appear at second reading and in subsequent planning‑board reviews. Commissioner [see speakers list for recorded vote] moved approval with the 22 conditions plus the memorialized 300‑unit cap; the motion passed on roll call with all commissioners recorded as voting yes.

Next steps: the project will return for second reading with the revised site plan reflecting the 300‑unit limit and any engineering details required by the planning department and planning board.