Planning board approves major amendment to King's Landing site plan with conditions

The Fort Pierce Planning Board on Monday recommended approval of a major amendment to the King's Landing plan development, subject to outstanding engineering comments being addressed before the city commission hearing.

City staff, represented by Senior Planner Jason Freeman, described the application as a major amendment to a previously approved site plan and said the revision reorganizes circulation on the site into a single central spine intended to function more like a boulevard, increases parking capacity and adjusts building uses. Freeman said the amended plan retains the previously approved 106 condominium units, removes the townhome component (those townhomes are proceeding separately) and increases the potential hotel room count from about 140 to roughly 148. Staff highlighted an increase in total parking from 428 spaces under the original plan to 516 in the revision and said the design adds pedestrian enhancements, street trees and on‑street parking.

Freeman recommended the planning board forward the amended site plan to the city commission with the condition that outstanding engineering department items be resolved prior to the commission hearing. He said those outstanding items were largely standard engineering clarifications — dimensions, notes, materials and cross‑section details — and would not be expected to delay the commission hearing if addressed beforehand.

The applicant team, represented by David Baggett of Haley & Ward and architect Bill Ware, described the project phasing and stormwater approach. Baggett said the site historically lacked a permanent stormwater system and that the amended plan incorporates innovative stormwater technology, including pervious areas, rain‑garden approaches and storage, and that the project expects to “demonstrate a net reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus” discharged from the site as it goes through state permitting. Project representatives said the parking garage will be delivered in a later phase and that, when complete, the top floor will reserve about 90 spaces for hotel use. The team said the hotel brand under negotiation is a Marriott Tribute.

A nearby resident, Perry Lloyd, urged greater attention to tree species and shade, saying island plantings of palms alone would not provide adequate canopy. The applicant said the submitted landscape plan lists more than 54 trees plus 225 palms and that engineering staff asked for some vegetation removal from drainage areas for maintenance; the applicant said native species are part of the plan.

After discussion and public comment, Ms. Carter moved to recommend approval of the amended site plan with conditions that engineering comments be resolved prior to city commission consideration; Mr. Edwards seconded. The motion passed on roll call, with Mr. Collins recorded as voting no and other members voting yes.