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Residents press traffic, drainage and contamination concerns as commission approves Sunrise Lakes rezoning
Summary
At second reading the commission approved Ordinance 25-020 to rezone about 11.54 acres near 3804 Sunrise Boulevard to a planned development (Sunrise Lakes PD). Several nearby residents questioned project density, traffic, drainage plans and possible historic contamination; planning staff and the applicant said they revised the plan and that the project meets review standards.
The Fort Pierce City Commission voted Dec. 15 to adopt Ordinance 25-020, rezoning roughly 11.54 acres near 3804 Sunrise Boulevard from single‑family (R‑1) to a Planned Development (Sunrise Lakes PD) with a final development site plan and conditions.
Planning Director Kevin Freeman told the commission the applicant had revised the plan after the Dec. 1 first reading to tighten the school‑bus turning radius, add parking and incorporate a dog park. Freeman said staff reviewed the amended plans against relevant City Code sections and recommended approval with 16 conditions carried forward from the first reading.
During public comment, Krista Story, a long‑time White City resident and land‑use practitioner, urged the commission to deny or continue the application, arguing that the reduced unit count (from 50 to 48) and added amenities did not show that the rezone promoted the public health, safety and welfare as required by Fort Pierce Code section 125‑136 and the city’s comprehensive‑plan guidance (section 125‑212). Story questioned whether the design protected the nearby White City Cemetery and surrounding neighborhoods.
Neighbor Judy Beglin (transcript also refers to a similar name later) said she feared about 100 additional daily vehicle trips, raised drainage and runoff concerns tied to local ditches and Clats Creek, and asked who would maintain any new drainage easement or infrastructure. She also referenced a historical contamination investigation behind the site and asked whether the property had recent water testing.
Applicant representatives and the project engineer (Blaine Bergstrester, KMA Engineering) said the project has a stormwater plan reviewed in concept by City engineering and that South Florida Water Management District had approved the project’s calculations and issued permits. Bergstrester said the drainage ditch will be granted as an easement with HOA maintenance obligations, and SFMWD, St. Lucie County and the City will have access for maintenance or emergencies. He said pipes under Sunrise Boulevard would be replaced to convey runoff to the creek.
Commissioner discussion emphasized that additional technical reviews remain: building‑permit and construction‑level engineering review will follow and the development must comply with South Florida Water Management District and city stormwater standards. Commissioner Johnson and others noted the plan was still subject to those subsequent reviews and that buffers and conditions were included in the PD.
Commissioner Johnson moved to approve Ordinance 25‑020; Commissioner Broderick seconded. The roll‑call vote was unanimous among the sitting commissioners (Broderick, Gaines, Johnson, and Mayor Hudson).
Next steps: staff confirmed that platting may proceed administratively (per recent state changes) and that building‑permit and site‑work permits will require further engineering review and compliance with the 16 conditions attached to the approval.
