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Planning board recommends Amazon refrigerated warehouse; staff, applicant and FDOT review traffic plan
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Summary
The Planning Board voted April 13 to recommend approval of a major site plan amendment for an Amazon refrigerated warehouse and office at 2300 South Kings Highway, a 69.19‑acre project that staff said could create about 740 permanent jobs in phase 1 and requires multiple roadway and environmental permits and mitigation.
The Fort Pierce Planning Board on April 13 recommended approval of a major site plan amendment for a refrigerated Amazon distribution center at 2300 South Kings Highway.
Staff described the proposal as a roughly 1.1‑million‑square‑foot refrigerated warehouse with about 60,000 square feet of office on approximately 69.19 acres, with 24.17 acres of paving and 20.36 acres of open space (detention ponds, bioswales and littoral plantings). The applicant estimates the project will create roughly 740 permanent jobs in phase 1 and reported commitments to roadway improvements including White Road reconstruction, Peters Road upgrades and a future signal at the Kings Highway/White Road intersection.
Jeff Erovani, representing the applicant, told the board the team already contributed roughly $400,000 to Peters Road reconstruction and intends to complete White Road improvements and intersection upgrades under county and FDOT permits. He also described a truck circulation plan with a dedicated truck loop, counterclockwise circulation, and separated employee access to reduce conflicts between truck and passenger flows.
Traffic consultant Luke Lammer said the submitted traffic report separates truck and employee vehicle traffic, models shift‑based employee arrivals, and includes analysis of U‑turn and storage lane needs at the Kings/White intersection. “The report’s under review with the Florida Department of Transportation as well as St. Lucie County,” he said, and initial reviews indicated the proposed storage lanes and turn treatments are acceptable.
Board members asked detailed questions about employee approach patterns and potential U‑turn volumes from northbound traffic; the consultant said there are multiple alternative routes in the area and that the Amazon shifts are staggered to limit peak‑hour collisions with other traffic. Staff recommended and the board accepted five conditions addressing tree survey/mitigation review, US Fish and Wildlife consultation per the environmental report, separate sign permitting, required state and federal permits, and a St. Lucie County right‑of‑way permit prior to development permit compliance review.
Motion and next steps: The Planning Board voted to recommend approval with the five conditions; the recommendation will be forwarded to the City Commission. FDOT and county approvals and required federal/state permits will be needed before development permits are issued.
