Gator Trace condos get OK - Ft. Pierce Tribune, December 20, 2005 FORT PIERCE -- Culminating a laborious and drawn-out process, the City Commission on Monday approved plans to build out the existing Gator Trace development with 331 condominiums. Though it was to the dismay of several dozen residents. The unanimous approval came after the commission spent almost six hours in meetings spanning three months picking apart details of the development plan proposed by Symphony Builders of Coral Springs. Several residents who expressed final pleas for disapproval also commended commissioners for scrutinizing details of the project. "I, too, want to express my thanks," said Gator Trace resident Bob Dunlevy. "I guess I'm a little cynical. I don't always find myself impressed with public leaders as I have tonight and at other meetings." The vote was on a planned unit development approved in 1984 to build out the golf course community off Weatherbee Road with a total of 678 units, 90 single family and 588 multi-family units on 225 acres. Symphony Builders proposed building the remaining condominiums in two phases. Phase 1 consists of 67 two-story units on 6.94 acres, and Phase 2 consists of 264 four-story units on 17.60 acres. Throughout the process, Gator Trace residents complained the four-story units were incompatible with their one-story homes. They worried about additional traffic the new development would create on an already dangerous Weatherbee Road. Many residents realized they had lost the battle for height and turned to the traffic issue as a viable reason for the plan to be rejected. "I think out of everything concerned with this project, the biggest concern is the dumping of traffic on Weatherbee Road," said Gator Trace resident Chuck Alberts. "You can't stick 5 pounds in a 3-pound bag. It doesn't work." Commissioners agreed, stipulating the developer find an alternate entrance into the development other than Weatherbee Road and work with residents for compromises. The developer proposed that St. James Boulevard, off U.S. 1, be used as a primary entrance into the community and Weatherbee Road as secondary. Also, Symphony Builders proposed designing and paving St. James Boulevard to county standards, which will cost the developer about $90,000. As conditions for approval, commissioners required Symphony Builders to work with the St. Lucie County School Board on constructing school bus shelters in the two phases, paying a fair share for signalization at the intersection of Weatherbee Road and U.S. 1 and build concrete sidewalks along Gator Trace Boulevard. Commissioners agreed building permits for Phase 1 and Phase 2 would not be issued until a right-of-way permit is granted for St. James Boulevard. When Commissioner R. "Duke" Nelson said he had hoped everyone was, "happy, happy, happy," Marie Worthing, an outspoken resident throughout the process, responded: "No smiling here." Copyright, 2005, E.W. Scripps Company Record Number: 433528591 Return to News