Fort Pierce approves Sunrise Lakes rezoning and two other land‑use measures after resident concerns on traffic and drainage

The Fort Pierce City Commission on Dec. 15 approved multiple land‑use measures — including the second reading adoption of the Sunrise Lakes planned development rezoning — after a public hearing in which nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, drainage and potential contamination.

Planning Director Kev Freeman summarized changes the applicant made after the first reading: a tighter school‑bus turning radius, additional parking and the inclusion of a dog park. Freeman said engineering and stormwater plans have been conceptually reviewed by city engineering and must meet South Florida Water Management District standards during permitting.

Several residents urged the commission to deny or continue the Sunrise Lakes rezoning application, citing compliance questions with Fort Pierce Code sections governing public health, safety and resilience, traffic safety at Sunrise Boulevard and long‑standing drainage and groundwater concerns tied to past contamination at a nearby site. Judy Beglin asked whether a traffic study was available and where runoff would be routed; staff confirmed the traffic study had been reviewed and was attached to the agenda, and the applicant said a permit from South Florida Water Management District and pipe replacements under Sunrise Boulevard are part of the drainage solution.

Blaine Bergstresser, representing the applicant, told the commission that the drainage design had South Florida Water Management District approval and that maintenance of easements would be assigned to the homeowners association, with access by the district, county and city in case of maintenance needs. He said the bus shelter and sidewalk extension to Bell Avenue are intended to serve local users and improve access.

Commissioner discussion emphasized that final engineering and building‑permit reviews remain, and that the planning and building departments will continue technical scrutiny. Commissioner comments noted the prior list of 16 conditions remains attached to the approval.

The commission moved and approved the ordinance on second reading after discussion and public input. The same meeting approved the second reading of Ordinance 25‑036 establishing the Gordy Creek planned development and advanced a voluntary annexation for a parcel at 906 Skylark Drive (first reading), which staff said would partially eliminate an enclave and reduce potential unit yield by one.

Separately, the developer for Ordinance 25‑035 asked for a continuance to work further with neighbors on design revisions; the commission voted to continue that item to a later, unspecified date and asked staff to re‑advertise and to ensure affected neighbors are given notice.

Votes at a glance

• Ordinance 25‑020 (Sunrise Lakes) — second reading and adoption; conditions from first reading remain; staff and applicant reported targeted design changes to bus turning and addition of a dog park; public comments raised traffic, drainage and contamination concerns. (motion and vote recorded in public hearing)

• Ordinance 25‑036 (Gordy Creek) — second reading and adoption with the same prior conditions.

• Voluntary annexation (906 Skylark Drive) — first reading approved; parcel ID 2427‑702‑0115‑000‑1; taxable value reported ~$45,540; staff recommended approval to reduce enclave and align zoning.

• Ordinance 25‑035 — continued at the developer’s request to a later date for additional neighborhood outreach.

The commission directed planning staff to ensure final engineering sign‑offs during building‑permit review and to continue working with applicants and residents as plans are refined.