The Fort Pierce Planning Board voted Monday to approve a major site plan for a new Bev Smith Kia dealership at 5560 South U.S. Highway 1.

MBV Engineering's representative Aaron Stanton presented the proposal on behalf of owner Nicholas Smith. The plan calls for a 40,791-square-foot showroom and dealership building with a 25-foot building height and 487 parking spaces (284 reserved for vehicle inventory and 7 ADA spaces). The site design includes a car wash, an on-site wet pond covering more than an acre for stormwater management and a required landscape buffer around the property.

Staff recommended approval with five conditions: submit a tree mitigation survey and coordinate mitigation with the city arborist prior to clearing and demolition; provide a landscape maintenance agreement prior to certificate of occupancy; obtain an NSLRWCD permit for outflow to Canal No. 17; require striping and wheel-stops if inventory spaces later convert to public parking; and submit an updated environmental assessment prior to the DPCR submittal. The applicant said the building design complies with corporate Kia standards and city architectural requirements; staff noted the visible showroom elevation is architecturally articulated and said additional landscape screening along U.S. 1 would also assist with visual buffering.

No public comments were made during the hearing. The board approved the site plan by roll call; Ms. Clemens, Mr. Whiting, Ms. Carter, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Collins, Mr. Johnson and Chair Bridal all voted yes. Staff will monitor compliance with the conditions as the project proceeds through building permits and final inspections.