Placement: Public Hearing - Quasi Judicial
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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P25-041 Dalton Learning Academy - Special Exception Use
Location: 10011 S US Highway 1
Legal Description: Town Centre Parcel A (OR Book 25, Page 35)
This is a request for approval of a Special Exception Use (SEU) to allow a K-8 private school within the Commercial General (CG) Zoning District.
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Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, Senior Planner
Executive Summary: The City of Port St. Lucie has received a request from Austin Dingwall, acting as agent for Dalton Learning Academy, for a special exception use to allow a K-8 private school in the Commercial General (CG) zoning district per Section 158.124(C)(8) of the Zoning Code. The 4.5-acre site is located approximately 0.3 miles south of SE Lyngate Drive on the west side of South US Highway 1.
Presentation Information: Staff will provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Board recommend approval subject to the following conditions: 1. This Special Exception Use shall be granted exclusively to the current applicant and shall terminate automatically upon cessation of the approved business operation by the current Applicant. Any change in ownership, business entity, or discontinuation of the approved use shall render this Special Exception Use null and void; 2. The shared parking agreement submitted as part of the application shall remain in full force and effect for the duration of the approved use. Any modification, amendment, or termination of the shared parking agreement shall require prior review and written approval by the City; 3. This Special Exception Use approval permits a maximum enrollment of 200 students, subject to compliance with Florida Statutes § 1003.03, which governs class size limits in accordance with the state constitutional amendment on public school classroom capacity; and 4. All traffic concerns and comments must be resolved to the satisfaction of the city prior to this project being heard at a City Council meeting. 5. Any failure to comply with these conditions of approval shall render this Special Exception Use null and void.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Board amend the recommendation and recommend approval.
2. Move that the Board recommend denial.
Background: The Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) recommended approval at their May 14, 2025 meeting.
Issues/Analysis: The applicant is requesting a special exception use (SEU) to allow a K-8 private school in the Commercial General (CG) zoning district. Section 158.124(C)(8) lists “Schools (public, private or parochial) or technical or vocational schools” as special exception uses that may be permitted only following the review and specific approval thereof by the City Council. The proposed application pertains specifically to the central portion of an existing free-standing building. The overall site encompasses approximately 44,320 square feet and is currently subdivided to accommodate three separate users.
The proposed school will occupy approximately 14,450 square feet of this total area. The school will consist of 12 classrooms serving a maximum of 200 students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Each classroom will accommodate approximately 17 students, along with one teacher and one teacher’s aide. The school hours of operation will be from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with instructional hours scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Special Consideration: Additionally, the project proposes the removal of existing parking spaces located on the north side of the building to accommodate the development of an outdoor playground. To address parking requirements, the applicant has submitted a shared parking agreement. A site plan amendment will be required to reflect these proposed changes.
Location of Project: Located approximately 0.3 miles south of SE Lyngate Drive on the west side of S US Highway 1.
Attachments:
1. Staff Report
2. Conceptual Site Plan
3. Cover Letter, Application, and SEU Question Responses
4. Conceptual Floor Plan
5. Queuing Analysis
6. Shared Parking Analysis
7. Traffic Impact Study
8. Public Works Traffic Memo
9. CRA Support Memo
10. Agent Authorization Form
11. Agent Authorization Form 2
12. Deed
13. Staff Presentation