Using Data to Improve Roads
Planning and Zoning
As the City manages an influx of new residents and businesses , increasing capacity on our roads and ensuring that infrastructure improvements take place along with development projects is one of the considerations of the project review process .
One of the main tools the City has to help fund capital projects and infrastructure expansions is the collection of impact fees . The City collects impact fees for four categories : roads and mobility , public buildings , parks and law enforcement . Impact fees are paid for by those building a project .
The City can only raise impact fees every four years . In 2023 , the Planning and Zoning Department , in collaboration with the wider City team , worked with consultants to prepare an impact fee study and land use analysis , and ultimately proposed increases to the parks , public buildings and law enforcement fees . Those revenues , paid by new development , will be spent directly on the expansion of services and the purchase of equipment to provide services to the City .
Another way infrastructure can be expanded without utilizing City dollars is to negotiate with developers to secure improvements . That can include projects that take place outside the City but are projected to create infrastructure needs in Port St . Lucie , such as road expansions .
In those situations , the City intervenes in the development approval processes to ensure it does not have to pay for road expansions . As part of the approval process for one large development recently approved in St . Lucie County , the City was able to negotiate several improvements to roadways that will be funded completely by developers , rather than taxpayer dollars . Those include expansions to larger thoroughfares such as Crosstown Parkway and Becker Road .
The Planning and Zoning Department prioritizes communication and public input and always is working to find innovative ways to get the word out to residents about new projects and developments coming to the City . So , working in collaboration with the Communications Department , staff created printed materials with a QR code that linked directly to the Planning and Zoning webpage , which makes it easier for residents to find out more about what the department was doing with one quick , easy step .
178 The number of site plans , subdivision plans and model home applications reviewed by Planning and Zoning . That represented a 16 % increase from 2019 / 20 but it was significantly fewer than the 266 plans and applications reviewed in 2021 / 22 .
517 The number of zoning compliances reviewed and approved in 2022 / 23 . That represents a 68 % increase since 2019 / 20 .
2023 City Manager ’ s Annual Report | 15