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Commission regularizes Atlantic Coast Recycling conditional use; requires landscaping and visibility plan
Summary
The commission voted to approve a conditional‑use authorization for Atlantic Coast Recycling, a long‑running recycling operation annexed into the city. Staff and the planning board recommended approval with landscape improvements and visibility splays to address sight‑line concerns along Avenue D.
The Fort Pierce City Commission on June 16 approved a conditional‑use regularization for Atlantic Coast Recycling, an industrial recycling operation on Avenue D that the city said was annexed previously and whose prior approvals needed formalization in the city record.
Why it matters: The approval brings an existing, long‑standing operation into explicit compliance with city land‑use procedures while requiring landscaping and visibility improvements the planning board and staff say will reduce visual impacts and address public‑safety concerns at the site driveway.
Planning director Kevin Freeman told the commission the 4.22‑acre site includes a canal on the eastern boundary, Avenue D to the north and Angle Road to the west. The application sought to regularize the existing use rather than propose new construction. Staff and the planning board reviewed the applicant’s enhanced landscape plan, which adds plantings at the northeastern corner and at the property gate. Freeman said the landscape plan includes visibility splays required by city code to preserve driver sight lines, and he said the plan likely improves existing conditions.
Dennis Murphy, representing the property owner, asked the commission to reauthorize approvals so the business could continue operations and noted the landscaping commitments made by the applicant. Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant about the proposed landscaping and how it would affect line of sight for vehicles, noting Avenue D carries school‑bus and commuter traffic; staff confirmed the plan shows required visibility triangular areas back into the site and that the landscaping will be designed to preserve those sight lines.
The planning board recommended approval and staff asked the commission to approve the conditional use with no new construction and with the landscape improvements. The motion passed on a unanimous recorded roll call.
Next steps: Staff will ensure the applicant’s landscape plan is implemented and that the landscape maintenance measures are recorded or otherwise enforceable. The commission record indicates the decision was intended to regularize the operation following annexation and to avoid unresolved licensing or business‑license conflicts that prompted the review.
