Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting - 2026-05-05
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Meeting Summary
The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners approved Project Orchid, a 1.4 million square foot glass and window manufacturing facility on 72 acres at the north end of Rock Rd., including a future land use amendment, rezoning from industrial light to industrial heavy, conditional use permit for an aluminum foundry, and site plan approval. The project will create 1,000 jobs with an average wage of $28/hour and generate over $1 million in ad valorem taxes annually. The board also approved a road paving waiver for Linda Vista Trails subdivision and adopted comprehensive plan evaluation and appraisal amendments required by the state.
Key Decisions (9)
Project Orchid Future Land Use Map Amendment
Approved small-scale future land use map amendment creating a 20.85-acre sub-area within the Lucy Rock Mixed Use Activity Center to allow building heights up to 80 feet instead of the current 60-foot maximum. The amendment affects the eastern portion of the 72-acre site for Foundry Commercial Development LLC's glass and window manufacturing facility.
Project Orchid Rezoning - 4500 Rock Rd.
Rezoned 20.25 acres from Industrial Light (IL) to Industrial Heavy (IH) to accommodate building heights up to 80 feet for the manufacturing facility. The IL district caps buildings at 50 feet while IH allows up to 80 feet.
Project Orchid Conditional Use Permit - Aluminum Foundry
Approved conditional use permit for a 76,200 square foot aluminum foundry within the manufacturing facility at Rock Rd. and Orange Ave. area. The foundry will melt aluminum ingots to form profiles for window manufacturing.
Project Orchid Major Site Plan
Approved major site plan for 1.4 million square foot vertically integrated glass and window manufacturing facility on approximately 72 acres, including two-story 27,000 square foot office building, manufacturing facility, and stormwater areas. Access via Rock Rd. with two secure gated entries.
St. Lucie Commerce Center Development Agreement Amendment - First Reading
First reading of amendment to existing 2013 development agreement, reducing acreage from 94 to 85.5 acres, increasing building cap from 1.232 million to 1.4 million square feet, new 10-year term with optional 5-year extension, and updated transportation improvement requirements including turn lanes at Rock Rd./Orange Ave., traffic signal when warranted, and Orange Ave. widening to four lanes between Kings Hwy. and Rock Rd.
Pit Stop Mini Market Conditional Use Permit - Packaged Beer and Wine Sales
Approved conditional use permit for Pit Stop Mini Market to sell packaged beer and wine for off-site consumption at a 4,481 square foot commercial suite in the Commercial Neighborhood zoning district, located between Pandora Ave., Palomar Pkwy., and Turnpike Theater Rd. in Lakewood Park.
Linda Vista Trails Road Paving Waiver
Approved road paving waiver for subdivision of property into five lots between South 21st Street and Linda Vista Ave., approximately 900 feet south of Edwards Rd. Two lots will access Linda Vista Ave. and two will access South 21st Street, with existing home retaining Linda Vista access.
Comprehensive Plan EAR-Based Amendments Adoption
Adopted state-required evaluation and appraisal review amendments to comprehensive plan, incorporating 2020 census data and population projections. Reverted several policies to current adopted language per state objections under SB 180 restrictions on more burdensome regulations.
Ordinance 26-011 - Infrastructure Surtax Scrivener's Error Correction
Corrected scrivener's error in Ordinance 26-004 regarding the November 3rd referendum for the 0.5% infrastructure surtax, clarifying that prepaid calling arrangements are subject to the tax as required by Florida statute.
Zoning Changes (1)
Rock Rd. and Orange Ave. area - 20.25 acres within Lucy Rock MXD
Foundry Commercial Development LLC
Development Activity (2)
Project Orchid
1.4 million square foot vertically integrated glass and window manufacturing facility on approximately 72 acres (85.5 acres in development agreement). Includes 27,000 square foot two-story office building, aluminum foundry (76,200 sq ft), manufacturing facility with portions up to 80 feet in height. Will employ 1,000 workers at average $28/hour wage ($53 million annual payroll). Operations will be 24/7 at full capacity by year five. Estimated 6,000+ daily vehicle trips at buildout.
Linda Vista Trails Subdivision
Subdivision of existing property into five residential lots, each meeting 8,000 square foot minimum. Two lots accessing Linda Vista Ave., two lots accessing South 21st Street, existing home retaining Linda Vista access. Connected to central water and sewer.
Market Signals (5)
Labor
Project Orchid will create 1,000 jobs with wages averaging $28/hour, with entry-level positions paying over $25/hour - higher than teacher salaries in St. Lucie County.
Commercial Demand
Miami-based window manufacturer selected St. Lucie County over competing locations due to available industrially zoned land, workforce access, training programs, strong infrastructure, and proximity to Southeast markets.
Infrastructure
Significant transportation improvements required for Project Orchid including four-laning Orange Ave. between Kings Hwy. and Rock Rd., turn lanes, and traffic signal installation, indicating infrastructure investment in north county industrial corridor.
Housing Demand
Discussion of modifying PUD requirements to allow development under existing AG1/AR1 zoning without mandatory PUD designation after 8 units, suggesting developer interest in larger-lot residential development.
Sentiment
Board expressed strong support for industrial development in north county to reduce commute times for residents, with unanimous approval of all Project Orchid components.