Public Meeting on Hutchinson Island Private and Public Property

The Western Peninsula of South Hutchinson Island has a privately owned parcel that's vacant and a public parcel now used as the FPUA's waste water treatment plant. The waste water plant should be moved in the future, but when and for how much is a big unknown. The vacant, privately-owned parcel was the location of the Causeway Trailer Park, until the 2004 hurricanes gave the city the opportunity to close it. The City of Fort Pierce has hired a consultant to host a public meeting to allow property owners, businesses and residents to provide input into what should happen there in the future.

Editorial: Participation critical for public design workshop on South Causeway in Fort Pierce

A workshop scheduled for Saturday will lead to potential goals for prime waterfront property in Fort Pierce

By Editorial Board

Friday, March 16, 2012

After four years of discussion and a year of negotiations, a public design workshop on the future of the western peninsula of Fort Pierce Beach will be held Saturday.

Major parts of the workshop — or "charrette" — are the potential uses on the south side of the peninsula for the privately owned parcel that was formerly the Causeway Mobile Home Park and for the waste treatment plant on the Indian River Lagoon owned by the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority. Other properties to the north on the peninsula will be included in the discussion.

Residents, property owners and city and St. Lucie County officials are urged to take part in the charrette from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the River Walk Center, formerly the Fort Pierce Community Center, at 600 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce.

(Yes, it's appropriate to wear green in recognition of St. Patrick's Day.)

Some of the delay in scheduling the charrette was making sure property owners, businesses and residents, including seasonal residents, would be available. There was some delay, also, in determining funding for the event and follow-up.

This will not be an inexpensive exercise. City and county officials have agreed to split the $35,000 cost, which includes the charrette and a report on consensus recommendations, as well as maps and drawings of possible uses for the properties. Facilitating the workshop will be Marcela Camblor of Stuart, a former design specialist with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. A report will be due in about three weeks.

The need to create a vision for the prime waterfront property became clear last year when Ashton DePeyster of Palm Beach, who owns the former mobile home park site, submitted plans to the state to build a marina on his property adjacent to the FPUA waste treatment plant. Residents and city officials have said they want an overall plan for the peninsula rather than piecemeal projects that could impact the overall future use. It's unlikely any of the properties can or will be developed to their full potential until the waste treatment plant is moved inland from its present site.

DePeyster and/or his representatives are expected to attend the workshop.

Leslie Olson, assistant planning director for the city who has been coordinating Saturday's charrette, said participants will be asked to develop, potentially, two sets of goals — one on their ultimate desires for the properties and one in which private investment might help financially in getting the waste treatment plant moved. The FPUA, she said, doesn't have the financial means at this time to fund the move inland.

It has been many years since Fort Pierce residents, business and property owners have had an opportunity to weigh in on the future of the western peninsula of the island. Officials have suggested such goals as a resort hotel and a convention center.

Considering the cost of this public design workshop and its role in developing a plan for the eventual use of the sites in connection with public and private partnerships, major participation from those with an interest in their future can be critical.

A few hours of discussion and drawing maps and buildings will likely have a significant impact.

editorial board

PUBLIC DESIGN WORKSHOP

Reason: To establish goals for waterfront properties on the western peninsula of Fort Pierce Beach

Date: Saturday, March 17

Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Participants may drop in and do not have to attend the entire session.)

Location: River Walk Center, 600 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/mar/16/editorial-participation-critical-for-public-on/