Second Revised Final Packet on 4/14

Board of County Commissioners- Informal Meeting · 2026-04-14 · agenda_packet

[West of Oleander Avenue, north of Prima Vista Boulevard, and south of Midway Road] St. Lucie County is developing the St. Lucie Woods Sensory-Friendly Preserve, a 33-acre interactive nature preserve designed to accommodate sensory-challenged individuals and the public. The project, located west of Oleander Avenue, north of Prima Vista Boulevard, and south of Midway Road, includes a welcome center, education building, "infinity loop trail" with activities, staff accommodations, and boardwalks to waterfront facilities. The concept plan integrates public input and best practices. Site improvements Phase 1A (entry, fencing, parking, ranger location, welcome pavilion, restrooms, boardwalk, trail) are underway. Phase 1B (infinity loop trail, magic meadow, interactive stations, kayak landing, observation deck) is pending. The project is funded by the State of Florida (FDEP Florida Communities Trust for acquisition and Legislative Appropriation for design and construction). This item discusses St. Lucie County's regulations regarding non-conforming lots of record (NCLOR), which are lots that do not meet current minimum lot size, width, or road frontage requirements. The key date for determining buildability is July 1, 1984, when current Land Development Code zoning regulations were adopted. Lots under separate ownership on this date may still qualify as buildable. The discussion included examples of NCLORs and comparisons with regulations in Martin, Okeechobee, Alachua, Brevard, and Volusia Counties. A $300 application fee exists to determine if a parcel is a nonconforming lot. [case Resolution No. 2026-XX, Ordinance No. 2026-XX] St. Lucie County is revising its Economic Incentive Program to modernize it and align incentives with measurable economic outcomes. The proposed updates establish a standardized, points-based scoring system to evaluate projects based on job creation, wage levels, capital investment, and industry alignment. This system will replace case-by-case negotiation, enhancing transparency and consistency. Key revisions include a tiered incentive structure, strengthened accountability tied to performance, and alignment of programs like Ad Valorem Tax Abatement (AVTA), Job Growth Investment Grant (JGIG), and Impact Fee Mitigation (IFM) under a unified methodology. The Job Growth Investment Grant (JGIG) program is amended with specific per-job grant values, enhancements for wages and capital investment, and local economic participation bonuses. The maximum JGIG award is $2,500,000, with award percentages tied to project scores. The program emphasizes performance-based incentives, with provisions for prorated payments (minimum 70% performance) and recapture in case of noncompliance or relocation. A resolution (No. 2026-XX) and an ordinance (No. 2026-XX) are proposed to adopt these changes. This document outlines the St. Lucie County Economic Development Incentive Program, detailing criteria and benefits for businesses seeking impact fee mitigation and ad valorem tax exemptions. It establishes a scoring matrix to determine eligibility and the level of incentives based on job creation, wage levels, and capital investment. The program aims to promote high-wage job creation, significant capital investment, and long-term economic growth with accountability through performance-based incentives. Specifics on waiver amounts per job created, percentage of impact fees waived based on capital investment, and declining schedules for ad valorem tax exemptions are provided. The document also details compliance, reporting, clawback, and recapture provisions for non-performance or relocation. It rescinds previous resolutions and adopts updated guidelines to align with current economic development priorities and legal standards. The document also includes detailed average wage data for various Florida counties and MSAs, effective January 1, 2026.