A significant new housing development, Indrio Groves, is planned for northern St. Lucie County, Florida, near the anticipated site of a Buc-ee’s travel center. The project, featuring over 3,000 homes, has raised alarms among county commissioners who fear it could irrevocably alter the region’s rural character and strain public resources.
Key Takeaways
- Indrio Groves proposes 3,081 housing units, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.
- Concerns center on the development’s density and potential impact on the area’s rural atmosphere.
- Developers highlight community benefits like infrastructure improvements and affordable housing.
- The project is slated for review by the County Commission in July.
Indrio Groves: A Closer Look
Indrio Groves, a venture by Lennar Homes, is designed as a mixed-use, predominantly residential community. It aims to encompass 1,027 acres currently zoned for agricultural use, east of Interstate 95 and north of Indrio Road. The development plans include 2,577 single-family homes, 214 townhouses, and 328 apartments. Developers envision a walkable, pedestrian-friendly environment with an "agri-hood" component, similar to other master-planned communities. The project also includes plans for an elementary school, a shopping plaza, a childcare center, and extensive pedestrian trails.
Commissioners’ Concerns
County commissioners have voiced significant apprehension regarding the scale and density of Indrio Groves. Commissioner James Clasby expressed worries about the proposed lot sizes, suggesting they are too small and could contribute to urban sprawl. He also raised concerns about the potential burden on public safety and emergency medical services. A county staff report indicated that Indrio Groves would introduce substantially more density than the surrounding areas. Commissioner Erin Lowry emphasized the desire to maintain St. Lucie County’s rural character, stating, "This is outside the urban service boundary, and we want this to continue to be rural St. Lucie County and not look like a project coming out of Port St. Lucie."
Developer’s Response and Proposed Benefits
Representatives for Lennar Homes have countered these criticisms, asserting that the development offers substantial community benefits. They have reportedly made concessions, such as widening single-family lot widths by approximately five feet. Leslie Olson, a representative for Lennar Homes, highlighted planned infrastructure improvements, including a water utility extension for the nearby Spanish Lakes community and enhancements to roadway intersections, such as Russos Road. The project also commits to providing 10% of its housing units as affordable workforce housing for 20 years.
Future of the Project
Lennar Homes representatives have indicated they will review the plans to address some of the commissioners’ concerns and intend to present revised plans to the County Commission on July 7. The development’s proximity to the planned Buc-ee’s and the already-approved Indrio & I-95 mixed-use community suggests a significant shift in the development landscape for northern St. Lucie County.
Broader Development Context
Indrio Groves is situated in an area anticipated for growth, partly due to the arrival of the Buc-ee’s travel center. It is adjacent to the Indrio & I-95 development, another large mixed-use project approved by the county, which is expected to feature nearly 1,900 single-family homes, over 800 multi-family units, and one million square feet of commercial space. This concentration of development raises questions about the long-term impact on the region’s identity and infrastructure.
Sources
- Huge Florida development by Buc-ees may threaten rural character, Treasure Coast News.
- Controversial development near Buc-ee’s may erode rural Florida, Treasure Coast News.