Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Port St. Lucie public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
38 issues in development
Wilson Grove Parcel "B" rezoning (357.75 acres)
Another 1,200 homes — villas and townhomes plus single-family — plus a 30-acre master amenity center on 357 acres off Becker Road, all pre-entitled under the 2006 DRI.
MedSquare footer wall and drainage concerns
A resident reported that the concrete footer wall under construction at MedSquare doesn't match the submitted plans and is causing drainage problems — even as the committee approved the project's latest amendment.
Riverplace construction materials dispute
The Riverplace POA president said materials for the Grace Maranatha Tabernacle project were denied by the community's ARC but weren't listed on the plans, prompting the committee to table the project until materials are shown.
Verano South Pod G commercial uses expansion
An 8-acre corner in the Verano development will shift to General Commercial, allowing restaurants with drive-throughs and retail serving the growing community.
Drainage right-of-way fence dispute on Hamberlin Avenue
The city is running a canal maintenance program and found 11 fences encroaching into its drainage right-of-way; nine homeowners complied, but one is contesting the city's survey. His refusal is holding up the public works project.
Founders Crossing land-use realignment
A 60-acre shuffle moves the commercial and office/institutional parcels from the east side of McCarty Road to the west, with no change to the 875-home entitlement. New road conditions include Newell Road construction obligations.
Stadium Site Plan Nearing Submission
A resident questioned the wisdom of public money potentially tied to a $60–80 million professional soccer stadium in Midport, citing traffic and operating costs. It was raised during public comment only.
150-acre rezoning south of Midway Road
The city wants to rezone 150 acres near its wastewater plant to attract industrial and logistics employers — the first real use of the PIP district created in 2012.
New assisted living facility site plan (PSL Westmoreland ALF)
A 150-unit senior living community at Morningside and Westmoreland was approved after traffic and emergency evacuation analyses showed acceptable impacts — about 22 ambulance calls a month expected.
Inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Southern Grove
Tambone Companies is buying 7.36 acres for a 42-bed inpatient rehab hospital (expandable to 54 beds) developed with Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate, filling a medical-services gap near Cleveland Clinic.
Affordable Housing Assistance Plan
The plan calls for a wider range of housing types in appropriate districts, density/height bonuses in exchange for affordable units, and new mixed-use and Activity Center categories to allow townhomes and apartments where infrastructure already exists.
Developer fees vs. mandatory affordable housing
Members debated whether developers should pay a higher voluntary fee — or be required to actually build affordable units instead. Chair Pro Tem Burlace warned fees get passed to buyers, and inclusionary zoning was floated. The debate continues after stakeholder input.
Riverland-West recreation and commercial hub
GL Homes won first-reading approval for a 33-acre sports complex in Riverland after adding pickleball setbacks, lighting caps, and an intervening indoor building, plus a promised acoustical study. Nearby Valencia Grove and Valencia Walk residents asked for sound walls, buffer replacement, and continued engagement at the site plan stage.
Winterlakes Haddon Pointe Apartments
An apartment project was tabled over drainage and survey issues — housing supply plans are on hold for now.
Big Dans Car Wash in Southern Grove
A new car wash got its site plan approved, with construction plans tabled until Tradition design review approval comes through.
PS Lucie Plaza Chipotle delays
The Chipotle restaurant project at PS Lucie Plaza was tabled twice — its site plan and special exception use are on hold over an unpaid fee and pending plat approvals.
Traditions Commerce Park Development Rights Modification
The board agreed to modify the assignment of development rights and deed restrictions tied to Traditions Commerce Park, adjusting the deal among the corporation, PSL MNK LLC and Traditions Commerce Park LLC.
Riverview Plaza — special exception and conceptual plan
The council approved the conceptual plan and special exception for Riverview Plaza at Sultan Drive and Port St. Lucie Boulevard, allowing larger retail uses with access only from Sultan Drive and an eight-foot wall buffering homes.
Tradition DRI development order amendment
After months of opposition from Southgate-area residents, the council finalized the Tradition MPUD amendment converting 9.4 acres from residential to commercial, with a hard ban on any gas station on Parcel 11A plus fencing and wall conditions to buffer the neighborhood.
Tradition MPUD Amendment and Proposed Commercial/Gas Station Use
A 9.48-acre parcel at Crosstown and Fairgreen could flip from residential (106 townhomes by right) to commercial, and neighbors fear a gas station, cut-through traffic and lost privacy. The council tabled it to June 22 while the city attorney researches whether they can restrict uses.
Termination of City Center Redevelopment Agreement
The council formally ended the redevelopment agreement with PSL City Center LLC and DeGuardiola Properties, closing out the long-stalled City Center deal between the city and its CRA.
McCarty's Choice Community Development District
First reading passed for a new community development district east of McCarty Road — a special taxing mechanism that funds infrastructure for new development.
Southern Grove and Wilson Groves site plans
Two major site plans cleared consent: a clubhouse amenity at Wilson Groves and a multi-family residential parcel in Southern Grove, moving those developments forward.
Affordable Housing Through Habitat for Humanity Community Land Trust
Three city-owned lots go to St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity for affordable homeownership, with buyer income capped at 80% of area median income ($81,900 for a family of four) and homes kept affordable in perpetuity through the land trust.
Destination at Tradition medical and veterinary uses
A post-acute recovery hospital (54 beds) and a veterinary hospital are being added to the mixed commercial area of Destination at Tradition — the first building, Catalyst, is already in site plan review.
Bridge Plaza land purchase for Port District
The lease amendment keeps the multi-venue food garden at the Port District on track — up to 15,000 square feet of restaurants. Construction wraps in May 2027, with an opening targeted for fall 2027. The city is also upsizing the lift station to 550-seat capacity so the park's growth isn't constrained.
Lotus at Tradition berm instead of wall
A 557-unit apartment project will back up to the Brindley subdivision with a 7-foot landscaped berm instead of the usual 6-foot wall — arguably better screening, with maintenance split between Lotus and Mattamy until the HOA takes over.
Biltmore Area Commercial Conversion
The last two single-family lots in Biltmore Block 626 are slated to become Service Commercial, completing the area's shift to warehouse and commercial uses.
Southern Grove Growth and Entertainment District Protections
Costco is nearly complete and Tamboni's site plan is under review, with restaurant and retail site plans flowing in. A board member pressed to ensure the entertainment district keeps actual entertainment uses, and staff confirmed the master plan and developer agreements protect them.
Hotel Site RFP and Tax Collector Building Acquisition
The CRA closed on the tax collector office site in December with an 18-month leaseback and is space-planning which departments move in. The hotel RFP for a 100-to-125-room property with an activated rooftop is open, with proposals due in late April.
Becker/Village Lifestyle Center development
Sansone Group will master-develop 60 acres at Becker Road and Village Parkway with up to 666 apartments, 250,000 sq ft of retail, and a hotel. The city gets an equity share in commercial deals, and officials hope commercial share grows versus housing.
Land for a Jewish community center
Rabbi Shloma Omanur says he's spent three years seeking about two acres for a Jewish community center and feels stalled by the city. Board members promised better notification and fair consideration when remaining parcels are offered.
We Work the Spectrum Children's Gym Special Exception
Port St. Lucie is getting its first sensory gym designed for kids of all abilities, especially those on the autism spectrum, in a former CVS near US 1 and Veterans Memorial Parkway. The facility includes a calming room, therapy rooms, and sensor-alarmed doors for safety.
$1.7M state housing repair program
The city received $1.7 million through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership. Income-eligible homeowners can apply for up to $50,000 in 0% interest deferred loans for critical home repairs — pre-applications open February 18 at 9 a.m. for the first 100 applicants.
Sandpiper Bay Resort expansion (school and resort facilities)
The 28.6-acre Sandpiper Bay property got its land-use and PUD approvals locked in, plus the detailed site plan for a three-story school building with a roof deck, new soccer fields, tennis courts and amenity buildings. Staff praised it as a sports destination that will do 'wonderful things' for the city.
Lowe's Buffer Wall vs. Landscaping at Southern Grove SG-8
Instead of a 6-foot wall, the new Lowe's center will install a continuous hedge and canopy trees along its northern edge next to a future 312-unit apartment community. The board denied this same northern-buffer request in 2025 because no site plan existed for the apartments — now both the apartment owner and purchaser support it.
Nana's House Academy daycare expansion
Nana's House Academy can expand into an adjacent vacant unit, growing from 82 to 100 licensed children using an existing shopping plaza space.
Stadium Drive warehouse parking variances
Three businesses — a fitness studio, a private fitness coach, and a physical therapy clinic — need parking variances to open in an office-warehouse park that's already two spaces short under code. The board approved all three with conditions voiding the variances if the businesses change or leave.