Council rejects annexation and land‑use change for Luffs Groves property; staff cited utilities, road and buffering concerns

Port St. Lucie — The City Council on Sept. 22 voted to reject a first amendment to an existing annexation agreement and a companion large‑scale comprehensive plan amendment that would have changed the future land use for roughly 464.5 acres owned by Luffs Groves, LLLP and proposed for development by D.R. Horton.

The measures would have converted land previously entitled for industrial and commercial uses to 397.89 acres of low‑density residential, allowed up to 1,350 single‑family residential units where prior entitlements had included 500 multifamily units, and removed industrial entitlements. The council’s denial follows staff recommendations and a prior Planning & Zoning Board recommendation of denial.

City planning staff, utilities staff and council members said the applications raised significant unresolved issues about compatibility with the adjacent Glades Wastewater Treatment Plant, timing and funding for access controls, right‑of‑way widths, and eligibility for mobility fee credits. Bridget Keene, senior planner for the Planning & Zoning Department, told the council the application would reduce…