Letter to SLC regarding the proposed Amendment to the Height Overlay

​December 2, 2021
Ms. Leslie Olson, Director
SLC Planning & Development Services
2300 Virginia Avenue
Ft. Pierce, FL 34982
RE: Hutchinson Island Proposed Amendment to Building Height Overlay Zone
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Ms. Leslie Olson:
The President’s Council (PC) sincerely appreciate the time you and members of your department have spent with us and our membership discussing and explaining the proposed amendment referenced above.
While we now have a more thorough understanding of this amendment, we cannot support it for the following reasons:

1. The proposed amendment to the long-standing Land Development Code (LDC) is neither merited, warranted, nor justified.
2. The proposed amendment is a step backward from the benefits derived from the Hutchinson Island Residential District (HIRD). Over the years, HIRD has accommodated the changes in market standards for realistic residential requirements and has allowed for architectural creativity and flexibility.
3. The proposed amendment is too broad and a far-reaching alternative to the current height standards contained in Section 4.01.00-.06 of the Land Development Code (LDC).
4. Goal #1.1 of the SLC Comprehensive Plan is “to ensure the highest quality living environment possible, through a mixture of land uses reflecting the needs and desires of the residents and how they want their community to develop. The goal shall be implemented by strictly enforced building, zoning and development codes based on objectives and policies that will enhance St. Lucie County”. This amendment is strictly focused on developer desires/input for increased height development and has no consideration of “local residents” desires nor is it concerned with maintaining long standing codes for HI development.

We ask you to please consider our concerns and request the BOCC to deny any current or future applications to amend Section 4.01 of the LDC, regarding height restrictions on Hutchinson Island.

Thank You for your support.
President’s Council Board of Directors

CC:   Board of County Commissioners; Howard Tipton, County Administrator; Mark Satterlee, Deputy County Administrator; Kori Benton, P&DS Sr Planner; Presidents Council Board.