Board backs 18,000‑sq‑ft McNeil Road office/flex development, 7‑0

The Fort Pierce Planning Board on April 14 recommended approval of a district site plan for a commercial development at 2591 McNeil Road that proposes approximately 18,000 square feet of office and flex space.

Planning staff described the site as approximately 3.37 acres assembled from two parcels west of McNeil Road and roughly 500 feet from Okeechobee Road. Staff said the C-3 zoning and General Commercial future land use make the proposed office/flex use appropriate along the Okeechobee corridor; the presentation noted limited wetland or habitat constraints on site and an existing dry retention area the project will use.

Connor Kennedy, a planner with Haley Ward representing owner Craig Mason, answered board questions about cross-access. Kennedy said the property sale included restrictions that prevented cross-access to the adjacent parcels and that the city and county were informed of that condition during review. Staff indicated the traffic analysis did not flag significant impacts for this scale of development.

Ms. Carter moved to approve with seven staff conditions; Mr. Edwards seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous: Mr. Edwards, Mr. Whiting, Ms. Clemens, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Carter, Mr. Collins and Chairman Bridal voted yes.

Staff and applicant noted the architect’s intention to use vertical articulation and murals to present storefront-like facades along McNeil Road. The board placed no additional conditions beyond the seven recommended in staff’s presentation.