Placement: First Reading of Ordinances / Public Hearing
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Ordinance 26-38, Public Hearing, an Ordinance Amending Title XV, “Land Usage”, Chapter 153 “Definitions”, and Chapter 158, “Zoning Code”, of The Code of Ordinances of the City of Port St. Lucie by Amending Sections 153.01, 158.222, and 158.217 to Update Driveway Standards by Adding New Definitions, Setbacks, and Landscape Area Requirements and by Establishing Typical Lot Scenario Figures (P26-020).
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Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, AICP, Senior Planner/Public Art Program
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of a high-performing city government organization.
Executive Summary (General Business): This amendment updates driveway standards by removing the term circular driveway, adding new definitions, setbacks, landscape area requirements, and establishing typical lot scenario figures.
Presentation Information: Staff will provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council adopt the text amendment, as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and adopt the text amendment.
2. Move that the Council deny the text amendment and provide staff with direction.
Background: This application is a City-initiated text amendment to update and clarify the City’s driveway standards for residential lots. The City’s Neighborhood Services division is proposing an amendment to Section 72.01 - Parking Prohibitions, of the City Code to clarify that parking of a vehicle is prohibited on any portion of an improved residential building site considered to be the front yard of that building site, except in the area specifically designed and constructed for such use. While working on that amendment staff identified inconsistencies and language that was not clear in our existing regulations around driveways, and worked collaboratively to improve the existing codes. These changes proposed to Chapters 153 and 158 will be consistent with the changes proposed to Chapter 72 of the City Code and clarify the driveway standards for residential lots. On April 7, 2026, the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended approval of the text amendment.
Issues/Analysis: After reviewing and comparing the City’s Codes it became clear that the standards and requirements for residential driveways and parking vehicles on residential lots are not consistent and needed to be clarified. To address these concerns, the Planning and Zoning, Neighborhood Services and Public Works staff reviewed the current driveway definitions and standards and worked together to make sure that the proposed changes to the codes would be consistent.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: N/A
Business Impact Statement: N/A
Attachments:
1. Ordinance
2. Exhibit “A” - Section 153.01
3. Exhibit “B” - Section 158.222
4. Exhibit “C” - Section 158.217
5. Staff Report
6. 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: 26098-04
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Russell Ward, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.
NOTE: Only the body of the Ordinance and not the exhibits was submitted for Legal Sufficiency Review. Accordingly, the Ordinance is legally sufficient to enact the text changes shown in the exhibits attached.