[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6378697,"mediaKeyId","2137119-923bc82b49daf65921da561b1ee91b8f","parentId",2137119,"title","Residents press county on Silver Oaks dewatering, drainage; Sierra Club warns against dredging project","audioSeconds",771,"startMs",1226000,"endMs",1997000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2137119-923bc82b49daf65921da561b1ee91b8f&start=1226&end=1997","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2137119-923bc82b49daf65921da561b1ee91b8f/thumbnail_1226000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6378697/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Residents-press-county-on-Silver-Oaks-dewatering-drainage-Sierra-Club-warns-against-dredging-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378697-b1bc1671ca17f5a07a6e834d9310347f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773111392&Signature=NNv-V0IpaYBirS9QRb~v3tcu7qcVL-PQKIG0uWE~PnLMJoPZ96UOhBOAzpm7CW8xi4Q0ZFeWJp25GqCWZ3QFghpHYzchk4AFnNZ9xCjFyMTwr8RAx3FPRYMJt9DMEke9dIrGVUVpwyOha27I8rccIhAMlL8hmRcP7ks6MeZVZ23cK6TZk0WF1TJgJG4TtLDYGP4bur3POAH5JE0JIxl9kAp8n6F28tr96WO8oGPo8Pp7XNsLX88Dq9OXYRVCJXrbpT6-BU57GlGrFQmh6PxreDkEQk7ntT2rUzHUWRUdG2qJxz3Kf7dWJRfYPnMl-1smkEtOxY50ojD1Vc1ooTZffw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Lucie County, FL","date","2025-01-22T04:47:49Z","article","Several residents told the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 21 that dewatering and grading tied to the Silver Oaks development have left sand, odors and silt in private well water and reduced pond levels in neighborhoods near Tilton Road and Shannons Trail.

\"Long story short, everybody around Silver Oaks, Wellwater, we're all in Wellwater\u0000are having... terrible situations,\" resident Courtney Santorella told the board, describing reports from a community group of more than 90 members reporting cloudy, sandy and foul-smelling water.

Linda Dawson, a neighbor at 2565 Forgotten Lane, said silt and intermittent odor have affected her water: \"Ponds are coming back because of the rain, but their pond is super high... I have so many issues.\" Susan Kane, who said her family has lived in the area for 50 years, told commissioners she is concerned about increased traffic, horses being startled by construction activity and the overall effect on neighborhood drainage.

Patrick Diane, the county's public works director, told the board there were no immediate county determinations he could give at the meeting. He said staff is actively working with Kolter (the developer) to demonstrate the proposal for Shannons Trail and will provide residents an update. Diane also said South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) regulates dewatering permits and that agency's permit limits and the county engineer's review indicated, based on submitted calculations, the permit as issued \"would not\" be predicted to affect areas beyond the PUD's limits. Diane said staff will continue to coordinate with SFWMD and the developer and that county engineers would meet a resident after the meeting.

Separately during public comment, Linda Smith, who identified herself as executive committee chair for the St. Lucie County Sierra Club, urged the board to oppose any RiverWatch request to alter a recorded conservation easement that prohibits gas- or diesel-powered dredging. \"Dredging in this area is contrary to the intent of the conservation easement,\" she said, warning of risks to seagrasses, manatees and fish habitat.

Other public commentators included Gabby Rothman, who told the board she supported the proposed Buc-ee's travel center. \"Yes. We want Buc-ee's,\" she said.

The board closed public comment after taking residents' remarks. Chair Fowler and county staff said they would continue to coordinate technical reviews with SFWMD and the developer and provide updates to residents in follow-up meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Lucie County BOCC Regular Meeting, Jan. 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents told the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 21 that dewatering and grading connected to the Silver Oaks development have produced silt, odors and low pond levels in nearby neighborhoods; county staff said it is coordinating with the developer and South Florida Water Management District.","taxTitle","St. Lucie County, Florida","taxId",2868,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6378692,"Board roundup: fluoride ordinance repealed, budget adjusted, incentive amendment and major site plans approved",134,5115000,4981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2137119-923bc82b49daf65921da561b1ee91b8f&start=5115&end=4981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2137119-923bc82b49daf65921da561b1ee91b8f/thumbnail_5115000.jpg","/articles/6378692/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Board-roundup-fluoride-ordinance-repealed-budget-adjusted-incentive-amendment-and-major-site-plans-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378692-bee5e654c55c52e46ecc010a6ab5fcc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773111392&Signature=hm2f8ts4pXbOaJoCpqEp18Ou8vWZsALgyDHPL~EZDXgEEmQeYbIAwira~fy44p0S7CIgSHa4pszojSH3PA~7AsjklKUwlA9HhsYMM4ruBJeOFxdBKiaLsR6mfc9nyZtPExXowCDsEvhwxmmlPgX-X9UaScMn98dIQlrnXrNr0rpaVxScyV0-d4Ww9tN2GcAzbT-zdadI~zOIBm3trhkItJbKfeFPYKViCsnqf~VAkkEB9WlJeTXMpHjrMNMl1NfILsLR4s3IRiCZ9cyng1aCcsIZCTcwAhqVP5Q6usyeANO9Ik2qZ34u7ww~exA7udRy~X7ZxlfWbu5t4P~-NuVt-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 21 handled a broad slate of formal business, approving multiple ordinances, budget and planning items and several development site plans.

The board voted to repeal a 1989 county ordinance that required community water fluoridation, a step county attorney Dan McIntyre said would allow water providers such as the City of Port St. Lucie and local water authorities to decide the matter themselves following guidance from the State Surgeon General. \"Repealing the ordinance just allows us those entities to decide for themselves whether fluoridation is appropriate or not,\" McIntyre said. Motion carried by voice vote.

On the county\u0000s finances, the board approved a budget resolution recognizing $205,693,732 of unanticipated revenue and balance-forward adjustments tied to FY2024 closing balances and capital project reconciliations. Jennifer Hill, the county\u0000s managing budget director, said the amendment reconciles beginning balances, adjusts interfund transfers and recognizes other unanticipated revenue.

Economic development: the board approved a fourth amendment to a Job Growth Investment Grant agreement for a manufacturing company (Arcosa/Accel referenced in staff backup) that shifts the schedule of job-creation milestones and flips payment timing to better align incentives with the company's revised hiring timeline. County staff said the total incentive amount does not change; the company has created 18 of the 125 jobs required to date and requested milestone adjustments after equipment-delivery delays. Commissioners debated whether to deny further amendments or to accept a rescheduled payment plan; the board approved the amendment and directed staff to return in March with proposals for guardrails on future incentive extensions.

Policy/administration: the board adopted a one-page government-relations strategic graphic that staff can use during legislative committee weeks but agreed on two immediate edits: add the word \"roads\" under the infrastructure pillar and change \"balancing impacts of development\" to \"growth management.\" Staff said a larger strategic plan will be finalized after the legislative session and during an upcoming budget update.

Public works/roads and drainage: the board adopted the culvert-assistance program assessment resolution, authorizing MSBU special assessments to fund stormwater culvert replacements where property owners elect to participate. The board also approved a road paving-waiver request for a minor three-lot subdivision at 1057 South 37th Street, waiving the developer's fair-share paving contribution subject to conditions.

Wetlands and conservation: the board approved a Category 1 wetland waiver for a Brown residence on South Ocean Drive on Hutchinson Island to allow construction of a single-family residence with a limited shared access drive and mitigation. Staff noted unavoidable impacts of 0.152 acres of wetland and 0.003 acres of wetland buffer; the applicant agreed to preserve the remaining wetland and buffer by conservation easement and to buy mitigation credits. The board also approved a companion resolution to accept the conservation easement and related monitoring and dune/sea-turtle protection plans.

Major site plans: the board approved final site plans for two large pods within the Oak Ridge Ranch (Solaris) planned development: Pod 5 (292 acres, 859 dwelling units; approved 4-1) and Pod 6 (approximately 331 acres, 1,000 units; approved 4-1). Staff presented conditions that include phased infrastructure requirements, a hold-harmless provision tied to completion timelines for transportation improvements, and the requirement that amenity centers be completed by issuance of 40% of building permits for each pod. Commissioner Clasney registered repeated objections to the use of preserve-area credits to meet up to 50% of public recreation obligations; other commissioners supported approval and cited infrastructure and design commitments.

Honors: the board adopted a resolution supporting the state designation of a portion of I-95 (mile markers 115\u0000120) as the Trooper Zachary Fink Memorial Highway.

Votes at a glance (selected items)
- Repeal of 1989 fluoridation ordinance: approved by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
- FY2025 budget amendment (recognize $205,693,732): approved by voice vote.
- Job Growth Investment Grant, 4th amendment (Arcosa/Accel): approved (motion carried by voice vote; board directed staff to revisit incentive guardrails in March).
- Strategic government-relations graphic (with two edits): approved (motion carried by voice vote).
- Road paving waiver (1057 S. 37th St.): approved (motion carried by voice vote; conditions apply).
- Culvert Assistance Program (MSBU assessment resolution): approved (voice vote).
- Category 1 wetland waiver (Brown residence, South Ocean Drive): approved (motion carries; conditions require conservation easement, mitigation credits and monitoring plans).
- Acceptance of conservation easement and associated plans (companion to Brown waiver): approved (voice vote).
- Oak Ridge Ranch Pod 5 final site plan: approved 4-1 (opposed: Commissioner Clasney).
- Oak Ridge Ranch Pod 6 final site plan: approved 4-1 (opposed: Commissioner Clasney).
- Trooper Zachary Fink Memorial Highway resolution: approved (voice vote).

Board members and staff said they expect follow-up briefings on infrastructure funding, monitoring of incentive agreements and continued public engagement on neighborhood drainage concerns.","The board approved a package of fiscal, planning and policy actions on Jan. 21, including repeal of the county's 1989 fluoridation ordinance, a $205.7 million budget amendment and final site-plan approvals for two large pods in the Oak Ridge Ranch development.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6378703,"County oversight committee reports $15.5 million in infrastructure surtax spending for FY 2023–24; board accepts 6th annual report",354,487000,841000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2137119-923bc82b49daf65921da561b1ee91b8f&start=487&end=841","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2137119-923bc82b49daf65921da561b1ee91b8f/thumbnail_487000.jpg","/articles/6378703/St-Lucie-County/Florida/County-oversight-committee-reports-155-million-in-infrastructure-surtax-spending-for-FY-202324-board-accepts-6th-annual-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378703-52318b0d26ccedb0cbae7901a5644c03/orig.mp4?Expires=1773111392&Signature=TO4Onyx4ptKcGN4anYoPam7AwlmaOeeG1zvgYe0q8yXbFPuLGdtYcmv9vCRHpitWjP~4tzqL4qNz1dKfPQWGbdmM6hDitevm3YAHMI-4Zz4JpDgcyQq23LVE73mFyaq8ApB85RFWk9ySL11Iuk4YPbr5C7~DQRcdegmxDrlo--FjANH1ax0yC0wC2uD59pTy8JgsVaE~zhSRJ2JYOdom6eK8CGgf67NqLytSFixJZMyKJEdaNn4UmgbRWh1M8v6tHdJQrc5H256a9-JcNovneX5PIyYWbmTM8eu5iHi1BePZPoxiQGPGl~deB0cMFGiEZy5wGk1M9sshYTPPIxXT8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 21 accepted the sixth annual report from the Infrastructure Surtax Citizens Oversight Committee, which the committee said documents $15,500,000 in infrastructure investments in fiscal year 2023\u000024.

The oversight committee\u0000a volunteer citizen panel created after voters approved a dedicated infrastructure sales surtax in 2018\u0000reported that surtax proceeds, together with other sources used by the county, supported road reconstruction, culvert replacements and bridge work. \"These funds contributed by visitors, tourists, residents reflected a shared commitment to strengthen our infrastructure,\" Kent Kroll, chair of the ISCOC, told commissioners.

The nut of the report is that county staff and the citizen oversight committee reviewed project documents and found the county\u0000s expenditures aligned with ballot language and state law requirements. \"After a comprehensive review, I'm pleased to report the county has expended the surtax proceeds for the fiscal year 2023/24 in compliance with Florida statutes, the approved ballot language and the commission-approved 2018 sales tax referendum 10-year plan,\" Kroll said.

Projects listed in the presentation included reconstruction of Rangeline Road (northern section), work on Carlton Road, replacement of a bridge over Taylor Creek and multiple large culvert replacements completed in 2024. The county\u0000s presentation also noted use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in some cases, which staff said allowed surtax proceeds to cover other priority work.

Patrick Diane, the county\u0000s public works director, said the surtax structure reduces the burden on local residents because a share of the revenue comes from visitors. Diane also invited county staff who work on project delivery to the dais and thanked the ISCOC volunteers.

The board voted to accept the ISCOC report without amendment. Commissioners and staff said they would continue to brief the board and the public on candidate projects for future surtax initiatives should voters consider renewal when the current 10-year authorization approaches its end.

Looking ahead, staff said ongoing projects and potential candidates for future surtax funding will be posted on the county website and the commissioners\u0000YouTube channel as details are finalized.","St. Lucie County\u0000\u0000accepted the Infrastructure Surtax Citizens Oversight Committee\u0000(ISCOC) sixth annual report, which reports $15.5 million in investments in fiscal year 2023\u000024 and lists projects funded by surtax proceeds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press county on Silver Oaks dewatering, drainage; Sierra Club warns against dredging project

Board roundup: fluoride ordinance repealed, budget adjusted, incentive amendment and major site plans approved

County oversight committee reports $15.5 million in infrastructure surtax spending for FY 2023–24; board accepts 6th annual report