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Commissioners approve Brock's Pizzeria conditional-use permit to serve distilled spirits with conditions
Summary
After a lengthy public discussion and negotiated conditions, the Board approved a conditional-use permit allowing Brock's Pizzeria to serve distilled spirits on-site. Conditions include no package sales, landscape and screening upgrades, limits on deliveries, and an implementation window for required improvements.
St. Lucie County commissioners voted Oct. 7 to grant a conditional-use permit allowing Brock's Pizzeria on South Ocean Boulevard to serve distilled spirits on-site, subject to multiple conditions designed to protect nearby residences.
County planners had recommended approval with conditions aimed at reducing neighborhood impacts: enhanced screening and landscaping along the south parking area, shared-access and parking agreements to demonstrate compliance with parking requirements, limitations on outdoor amplified sound, a requirement that deliveries and food-service truck access occur in non-peak hours and from the front of the building, and lighting restrictions. The staff report said the restaurant currently has about 120 seats and that state licensing requires a bona fide restaurant to derive at least 50% of revenue from food; the applicant reported roughly 85% of revenue now comes from food.
Attorney Nicholas Giesler, representing the applicant, said the conditional-use process and the accompanying conditions were intended to protect nearby residents while allowing the business to expand services. Planner Dennis Murphy, who worked on the site plan, told commissioners that additional landscaping and screening were feasible but asked for time to implement the improvements because the property is a retrofit with limited room for planting: "We can get there, but it's gonna take about 6 to 8 months to get there to get it all done." Owner Ignacio Bueno told the board the restaurant currently closes at 9 p.m., and said the owners want the option to open for lunch or breakfast in the future but do not intend to operate as a bar.
After discussion about hours and package sales, the board approved the permit with the following principal conditions: distilled spirits service limited to on-site consumption, no package sales (no retail “to-go” liquor), restrictions on amplified outdoor sound, cross-access/shared-parking agreement required before final license sign-off, landscaping and screening improvements to be completed within a time window approved by the board (the board granted up to 12 months for compliance), deliveries limited to non-peak times and required to use the front or side of the building (not the rear), and prohibition of parking on grass in the adjacent vacant lot. The sale of distilled spirits was approved to continue until 10 p.m., consistent with the board's final motion.
Vote: The motion to approve the conditional-use permit with the conditions carried unanimously; the clerk recorded the motion as "All in favor, aye; any opposed? Motion carries."
Why it matters: Brock's is a long-standing neighborhood restaurant whose owners sought permission to serve distilled spirits to remain competitive with nearby dining options. Nearby residents raised concerns about parking, traffic circulation and potential late-night disturbances; commissioners and staff negotiated conditions intended to preserve neighborhood character while allowing the business to operate.
Ending: The permit is subject to the conditions adopted by the board. County staff will verify the cross-access agreement and landscaping installation during permitting and inspection; failure to comply could lead to enforcement actions or revocation of the conditional use.
