St. Lucie County approves Oak Ridge Ranch final site plan with 1000 housing units

The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on December 10, 2024, where significant discussions centered around the Oak Ridge Ranches development project. The meeting provided a detailed overview of the proposed site plan, which includes a mix of housing types and community amenities.

The development is set to feature approximately 3.07 units per acre, comprising 728 single-family detached lots and 272 attached villa units, which are designed to resemble a blend of duplexes and townhomes. A notable aspect of the project is a six-acre amenity center, alongside 72 acres of lakes and stormwater areas, and over 27 acres dedicated to wetland preservation.

Key access points to the development were outlined, with a primary two-way access on Solih Boulevard and an emergency access route connecting to Pod 4B. The intersection at Solih Boulevard and Glades Cutoff Road will be enhanced as part of the development's infrastructure improvements.

Staff analysis highlighted the importance of implementing buffering standards along Glades Cutoff Road, which is a developing arterial road. The proposed buffer will include either a six to eight-foot wall or a black vinyl chain-link fence to mitigate noise from agricultural traffic and nearby mining activities. Staff recommended the wall option to better dampen sound and enhance the buffer zone.

The layout of the development has been modified from the original plan based on staff feedback, with single-family lots positioned closer to the southern boundary than initially envisioned. The project will include a variety of lot sizes, with widths ranging from 35 to 60 feet, accommodating both single-family homes and villa units.

The staff recommended approval of the final site plan for Pod 6, contingent upon several conditions related to transportation improvements and compliance with the overall planned unit development (PUD) requirements. These conditions include the completion of a recreational amenity center by the time 40% of development permits are issued and the establishment of a subdivision improvement agreement prior to the construction of on-site infrastructure.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to balancing development with community needs and environmental considerations, setting the stage for the Oak Ridge Ranches project to move forward.