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Residents and commissioners press Savannah Preserve developer over flooding, noise and wildlife concerns
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Summary
High Point and Gator Trace residents told the Fort Pierce City Commission that clearing and new grading at the Savannah Preserve project has flooded yards, brought heavy noise and disturbed wildlife; developer representatives and city staff said permits and mitigation were obtained and pledged follow‑up inspections.
High Point and Gator Trace residents urged the Fort Pierce City Commission on Monday to hold Savannah Preserve’s developer accountable for what they described as new and worsening flooding, loud construction, and wildlife disruptions tied to recent clearing.
The public comment period opened with five speakers from the High Point area who said standing water has moved closer to condo buildings since adjacent parcels were cleared and filled. ‘‘Now our backyard is so saturated that all the standing water that used to be back by the fence is no longer there — it’s now in the middle of our yard and up by our buildings,’’ Julie Moore said.
Why it matters: Neighbors argued the project’s earthwork and elevation changes are producing off‑site runoff and nuisance conditions that threaten property and quality of life ahead of the rainy season.
Staff and the developer responded with a linked account of permits, mitigation and monitoring. Kevin Freeman, the city’s planning director, said the project received planning‑board approval and final plat sign‑off after a multi‑phase review. Paul Thomas, the building official, said the city issued a stop‑work order March 7, 2024 after site work began before permits were issued; permits were then issued in April and site work legally resumed.
‘‘Most of the trees and vegetation on the property were due to be removed,’’ Freeman said, explaining that the site required fill to achieve elevations required for flood protection and that the applicant submitted a tree replacement plan. City engineering lead Dana Rutherford told the commission the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) issued a violation to the developer in October 2024 but later certified Phase 1 after corrective actions; city engineering said it still has punch‑list items to clear before issuing certificates of occupancy.
Developer representatives emphasized design intent and mitigation. Dennis Murphy, representing the developer, and Tom DeGrace, the engineer of record, said the project redirects post‑development flows into interior water‑quality ponds and a central wetland intended to control discharge. ‘‘Nothing should be going off our property onto High Point property,’’ DeGrace said, adding that a southern berm and outlet controls were incorporated into the SFWMD permit.
On animal and environmental issues, the developer said gopher tortoise relocation and permitting occurred under state permits and that contractor teams were instructed to stop work and notify regulators if protected species were encountered. Commissioners pressed for documentation and quicker follow‑up on neighbor complaints about fencing, hog incursions and alleged improper handling of wildlife.
Council action and next steps: Commissioners asked staff to inspect the contested canal and berm areas, produce clearer case notes that track interdepartmental follow‑up (building, engineering, code enforcement, animal control) and return with recommended remedies. The developer agreed to meet with neighbors and provide additional documentation. The commission did not vote on a formal remedy at the meeting.
The story will continue: Commissioners said they want prompt, documented inspections and periodic updates to residents and to the commission before the peak rainy season.
Attribution: Kevin Freeman is the City of Fort Pierce planning director; Paul Thomas is the city building official; Dana Rutherford is the city engineer; Dennis Murphy and Tom DeGrace represented Savannah Preserve; multiple residents spoke during public comment.
