Planning board approves Symphony Lakes phase 1 site plan with conditions

The Fort Pierce Planning Board voted June 9 to recommend approval of the final site plan for Symphony Lakes Pod 1, a planned‑development phase that would construct 286 single‑family lots on roughly 88 acres at 4300 Selvitz Road, subject to conditions and written confirmations from external agencies.

Planning staff summarized the record: the master PD for the Symphony Lakes property was approved by the City Commission in June 2024. The Pod 1 final plan proposes 286 single‑family units at about 3.2 dwelling units per acre, with roughly 43 percent open space in the phase. Staff recommended approval conditioned on receiving final technical confirmations from St. Lucie County regarding traffic‑impact analysis and specific roadway improvements, confirmation of school‑district requirements (including bus‑stop location and design), confirmation of public‑works and solid‑waste provisions, and final engineering and drainage approvals.

Leah Heinz of Kotler & Hearing, representing the applicant, and traffic engineer Sean McKenzie said the developer has been coordinating with St. Lucie County and submitted revised traffic materials; proposed off‑site improvements on Selvitz include turn lanes, medians and sidewalk upgrades. The applicant and staff agreed to place key performance obligations in an updated development agreement: roadway and traffic improvements and other agency approvals must be complete or assured before final certificates of occupancy for vertical construction in Pod 1.

Board members emphasized the need for written confirmations from the county, the school district and other agencies before the item is scheduled for City Commission. Several members said they would prefer all outstanding agency approvals to be in hand before moving to commission; others accepted staff’s recommendation that confirmations can be provided prior to the commission packet. Ultimately the board voted to forward a recommendation of approval with the staff’s listed outstanding items to be satisfied prior to the commission hearing. The roll call vote was 6 in favor, 1 opposed.

The development agreement will record timelines and responsibilities for off‑site roadway work, school‑bus accommodations, public‑works and drainage conditions, and requirements that infrastructure improvements be completed before issuance of final certificates of occupancy for Pod 1 lots.