The Fort Pierce Planning Board on April 14 approved a site plan under the city’s innovative residential development provisions for Margarita Villa, a four-story, 30-unit multifamily building proposed at 4101 Orlando Avenue.

Planning Department staff presented the proposal as a 2.5-acre site with a four-story building proposing 30 units: six one-bedroom units, 22 two-bedroom units and two three-bedroom units. The applicant requested five additional density “bonus” units; the applicant stated this brings total density to 11.8 dwelling units (the transcript did not specify the unit of measure). Staff recommended approval with seven conditions.

Rebecca Grohau, representing MBV Engineering for the owner, emphasized the proposal’s preservation of large oak trees, added bioswales for low-impact stormwater treatment, and extensive landscaping. Grohau said each unit will have a balcony and that the building includes an interior elevator.

Nicole Fogarty, representing the St. Lucie County School Board, told the board there is an existing bus stop at Oleander Oaks north of the development. Fogarty said discussions with the developer have included placing a sidewalk to allow a joint bus stop; she also said the district could, depending on student concentration, split stops or pull into the site for a pickup to improve safety.

Board members asked whether landscaping and amenity maintenance were binding; staff explained approved site plans and associated maintenance agreements govern the required features and that changes would require a site-plan or landscape amendment. Ms. Clemens moved approval with the seven conditions; Mr. Whiting seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous: Mr. Collins, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Whiting, Ms. Clemens, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Carter and Chairman Bridal all voted yes.

The board record lists the seven staff conditions. The applicant said amenity features would be designed in a separate permitting step. The transcript records that pet policy and a dedicated dog-park were not finalized; the applicant said owners “are open to allowing pets” but that pet rules are not part of the zoning decision.

The applicant and staff highlighted tree retention and bioswales as part of the project’s low-impact stormwater approach; the board discussed sidewalks and school-bus logistics with the St. Lucie County School Board representative.