Planning and Zoning

Mission Statement

To assist the public and to direct and encourage quality community development in accordance with adopted policies, codes, and laws which enhances the city, protects the environment and makes the city a better place to live.

This is accomplished by:

• Providing quality and timely customer assistance & information
• Implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan
• Continue to review and update land development codes
• Preparation of innovative plans to direct the City's future
• Efficient development review processes

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1. Land Development Reviews: The land development review process for the City includes site plan reviews, subdivisions, rezoning, special exceptions, variances and future land use map changes. We also manage other land development regulation processes related to natural resources and public facility concurrency management project reviews. We process approximately 700 such requests per year. We provide application packets, codes, and instructions.  Our goal is to help the public and development community achieve their land use objectives with the guidance of city policies and land development regulations. The City's PLANNING & ZONING BOARD meets the 1st Tuesday of each month at 1:30 PM.  

2. Long Range Planning: The City's Comprehensive Plan was updated and adopted in 1998. It sets a framework which outlines various City work programs as well as policies related to growth and community development. See the introduction to the plan and plan summary. In addition, we study a variety of long range planning issues related to urban design and the future. The October 2007 population was estimated to be 164,000 with projections over 194,000 by 2010. The Comprehensive Plan is scheduled to be updated in 2010.

3. Neighborhood Planning: The City's Neighborhood Planning Program was developed to involve residents in future decision making in their immediate neighborhood. After a series of workshops, specific plans and goals are developed. The result is an area master plan and associated graphics to help guide the future. Our first plan, St. Lucie North, received a State outstanding innovation award. The second plan, Southbend Lakes was also developed.. Copies of the plans are available at our office, or can be mailed upon request.  A new Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was founded in 2001 with completion of a new Community Redevelopment Plan.  Redevelopment efforts along the US 1 Corridor and a plan for a Town Center are underway. 

4. Urban Design Studies: As one tool for economic development, our department is developing specific area plans to help guide and direct quality  development. In 2001 the City began working on land acquisition of prime riverfront property in order to develop a Riverwalk recreation and entertainment development plan.  The planning process for the Riverwalk was completed in 2002 and implementation started in 2003.  The City has been pursuing a Riverwalk Plan for properties along the North Fork of the Saint Lucie River as a mixed use development and recreation area. The City Council approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Master Plan for a substantial part of the area in 2003. Current efforts underway include development of the Promenade site, and expansion of the existing boardwalk south to the bridge over the river.  Also, the Trust For Public Land has coordinated the acquisition of a 43 acre site, of which 33 acres will be in park and preserve and are now owned by the City. The remaining 10 acres was recently sold to a developer with the intent on providing a mixed use project that will maintain public access to the river and connect to the Riverwalk Boardwalk System. (see plan) .  Another design study completed was the Wilderness Park Conceptual Plan (see plan).  Architectural design standards have also been adopted along major corridors and were expanded city-wide in 1999.

5. Census 2000:  A comparison of demographic change within the City is based on Census 1990 and Census 2000 data. The demographic profile was obtained from the web site www.census.gov. The tables and charts illustrate the change in City attributes of population, number of households, median income, age, race, and home ownership. Tables and charts illustrate changes that occurred during the past decade.

Contact Us:   If you have a question or need help related to Planning and Zoning matters you can contact us by phone (772) 871-5212, fax: (772) 871-5124, or e-mail info@cityofpsl.com (Attn: Planning & Zoning).
Our address is 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984.