Placement: Second Reading of Ordinances / Quasi-Judicial Hearing
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Ordinance 23-39, Quasi-Judicial, Public Hearing, An Ordinance Rezoning 1.79 Acres of Land Zoned OSR (Open Space Recreational) to the RS-2 (Single Family Residential) Zoning District for a Project Known as G. Callas Holdings, LLC (P23-062)
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Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, Planner III
Strategic Plan Link: The City’s Mission to plan for smart and balanced growth.
Executive Summary (General Business): The Applicant, G. Callas Holdings, LLC, is requesting rezoning of a 1.79-acre property from OSR (Open Space Recreational) to RS-2 (Single-Family Residential). The property is located north of SW Gatlin Boulevard on the west side of SW Fondura Road. The property is currently vacant. The property has a future land use designation of OSR (Open Space Recreational). The applicant is requesting under a separate application to change the land use to RL (Low Density Residential), which, if granted, will be compatible with the requested zoning of RS-2 (Single-Family Residential).
Presentation Information: Staff will provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the rezoning request as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council deny the rezoning request and provide staff with direction.
Background: The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval at their May 2, 2023 meeting.
Issues/Analysis: See attached staff report.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: The General Development Corporation (GDC) platted tracts for neighborhood parks with a future land use and zoning designation of OSR (Open Space Recreational). Per Comprehensive Plan Policy 1.1.4.6: Open Space Recreation (OSR). These areas are designated for existing or future parks. GDC’s successor was Atlantic Gulf Communities Corporation. In 1997, Atlantic Gulf Communities Corporation deeded many of these OSR zoned tracts to the City of Port St. Lucie; however, some of the tracts were purchased by private property owners prior to deeding these OSR parcels to the city. These real estate transactions caused OSR zoned tracts to go into private ownership. Council directed staff to investigate the zoning and ownership history for the subject 1.79-acre property. The property was one of the original GDP platted open space tracts. However, in 1996, a year before the properties were deeded to the City, this tract was sold to a private buyer, G. Callas Holdings, LLC, making these parcels an anomaly. It has since remained in this entity’s private ownership. Council indicated that this property may have been rezoned to open space in connection with a commercial development. The commercial development in question is the Starbucks, located at the northwest corner of Gatlin Boulevard and Brescia Street on Gatlin Boulevard. To the north of Starbucks, there are eight lots that are zoned OSC (Open Space Conservation). To address neighbors’ concerns about future development beyond Starbucks, the applicant held two Town Hall meetings with the adjacent property owners. The applicant expressed their willingness to change the future land use and zoning of the eight lots from residential to open space to provide the residents with an assurance that no additional development will occur at this corner. These eight lots were then deeded to the city.
Location of Project: The subject property is located north of SW Gatlin Boulevard on the west side of SW Fondura Road.
Attachments:
1. Staff Report
2. Application
3. Deed
4. Staff Presentation
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 10136
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Elizabeth L. Hertz, Senior Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.