FORT PIERCE THE BEACHES LAKEWOOD PARK @HometownNewsStLucie @hometownnewsslc @HometownNewsSLC Vol. 17, No. 51 www.HometownNewsTC.com Friday, May 17, 2019 LEADERSHIP AWARD PRECIOUS POOCH WHAT A CATCH! AUSSIE TRAVEL The Economic Development Petey is a playful pup whose This visitor caught a fish Two local readers took a Council gave out their yearly while visiting the ocean trip "down under" with leadership award available for his new family and forever home through with her dad and grandpa their copy of Hometown the Humane Society. News. AWARD 7 PET OF THE WEEK 8 CATCH 10 TOURING 11 What's in your bucket? Riverfront Family Seining in the Seagrass was hosted by the Smithsonian Marine B&B gets Station in Fort Pierce on Sunday, May 12. Fami- lies were given the green opportunity to discover the diversity of the light creatures living in the Fort Pierce Commission seagrass beds of the Indian River Lagoon. vote divided over lack of Here, Randy Goldenberg, previously requested eight-year-old son Chris- onsite bed & breakfast topher and wife Danielle examine their catch. See manager another picture from the By Donald Rodrigue event on page 6. For Hometown News FORT PIERCE – The City Commis- sion struggled May 6 with a recommen- dation from the Planning Board to approve a conditional use for a bed & breakfast to operate on Indian River Sevin Bullwinkle Drive without an onsite property manag- staff photographer er but ultimately voted 3-2 to accept the recommendation and approve the proj- ect. Planner Brandon C. Creagan remind- ed commissioners they had previously County approves island approved the proposed B&B in late 2017 prior to the developer deciding to build a 272-square-foot addition to the rear of www.theoriginaldiscountfurniture.com one of the buildings at 515 S. Indian River treatment center Drive. Current regulations permit B&Bs St. Lucie Commission approves project would surpass the super majority. in the C-1 Commercial Zone only as a TAKE US WITH YOU “As the district commissioner, I could take the conditional use, so the plan to add a bath- conditional use for upscale easy way out tonight and vote no and still get it room compliant with the Americans with PLANNING A TRIP? passed, but integrity is not defined by doing the Disabilities Act triggered a new condi- detox/addiction facility on right thing when nobody’s looking,” he said before ‘Touring with tional use requirement. the Townies’ South Hutchinson Island he voted in favor. “Today integrity’s defined by “The resubmittal of this application is features doing the right thing when everybody’s looking.” to change the project to a conditional use reader-sub- mitted By Donald Rodrigue Project Manager and Planner Kori Benton pro- with new construction,” he said. “This photos from For Hometown News vided the Commission a lengthy overview and small expansion is required to satisfy a travels. Let’s history of The Atlantic Wellness Center, whose required federal and state-mandated see how many places FORT PIERCE – The St. Lucie County Com- backers want to build the approximately 200,000 ADA requirements for the bathrooms. we can go! Send in your picture mission voted unanimously May 7 to approve a square-foot complex on 22.4 acres of vacant land This request will also allow the rear of the or questions to about two miles south of the Ocean Village condo- newsfp@hometownnewsmedia- conditional use waiver and pave the way for a building on the site to be utilized as a group.com planned 220-bed detox and addiction treatment miniums. The facility would consist of three manager’s quarters and/or rooms for the facility on South Hutchinson Island. 35-foot towers and one 42-foot tower encompass- bed & breakfast.” COMMUNITY CALENDAR At the beginning of the marathon meeting ing both adult and adolescent treatment centers The actual controversy began when during which numerous economic development and feature 24-hour security in each building and Commissioner Rufus Alexander asked See at the main entrance. Mr. Benton admitted that community officials and island residents spoke both for and for clarification on the and/or clause, events on against the project, respectively, County Attorney the St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning Commis- which Mr. Creagan said resulted from a page 2 Dan McIntyre advised commissioners they’d need sion had recommended denial of the request last change in the requirements the Planning a super majority for approval of the waiver and August. Board made as part of its unanimous accompanying zoning atlas amendment and final “After discussion, they passed a motion by a approval April 9. The previous rendition site plan due to significant opposition from nearby vote of 7-1 to deny the presented petitions,” he of the proposal commissioners approved INDEX residents. Hours later right before Chairwoman said. “A conversation by the Planning & Zoning a year and a half ago required a resident Linda Bartz called the vote, Commissioner Chris Commission at the hearing included concerns property manager, but the volunteer Classified 11 Out & About 9 Crossword 10 Police Report 5 Dzadovsky – in whose district the proposed proj- regarding traffic impacts and some outstanding Horoscopes 9 Viewpoint 6 ect lay – made it clear the vote on the $87 million See TREATMENT, page 4 See B&B, page 3 2 Hometown News – FORT PIERCE – www.HometownNewsTC.com Friday, May 17, 2019 Community calendar Bealls supports breast SATURDAY, MAY 18 • “Movies in the Fort”: Free Outdoor • Walk n Roll to Cure Ataxia: The Trea- Film Series: From January to May, parks in cancer awareness sure Coast Walk n Roll to Cure Ataxia will six neighborhoods will host FREE outdoor take place on Saturday, May 18 at 9 a.m. movies featuring today’s blockbusters and (registration at 8). The walk is sponsored by classic family favorites. Movies in the Fort the National Ataxia Foundation. Ataxia is a gives residents in all parts of the city an rare neurological disease affecting a per- opportunity to engage with their neighbors son’s ability to walk, talk, and use fine motor and community. Fort Pierce is committed to skills. The walk will take participants around increasing access to family-friendly cultural the lake at 10807 SW Traditional Square in opportunities, and this new movie series is Port St. Lucie. For more information, con- a perfect example of this work. The Sandlot, rated PG, Former PAL Center (903 S 21st tact Lisa Cole at (772) 370-3041 or email For Hometown News ther research in finding a cure for breast can- [email protected] St). All movies begin at dusk. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or [email protected] cer. The tumbler is available for purchase • Water Champions Basic Training: The online only beginning on May 13, 2019. Oxbow Eco-Center wants every resident to blankets. Patrons are also welcome to bring their own picnic dinner. Visit the City’s TREASURE COAST - In an effort to bring “We are excited to partner with have the knowledge and confidence to get Leoma Lovegrove to aid and support the involved. That’s why the environmental edu- Facebook page for details about pre-show continued awareness to breast cancer, Bealls continued efforts to find a cure,” said Matt cation staff developed a half-day course activities on select movie nights. Movies, is pleased to announce the limited edition Beall, President of Bealls Stores, Inc. “This is designed to empower those who would like dates and times are subject to change, for “Pink Power” tumbler in partnership with to learn the basics: What are the pollut- more information visit www.CityofFortPierce. Florida-based artist, Leoma Lovegrove. a cause that is near and dear to us all and one ants? Where do they come from? How do comor call Joe Sweat at (772) 467-3031. Inspired by her personal story and strength that requires constant research, education they enter our waterways? How do they • Lewis Library Virtual Reality Program: as a breast cancer survivor, this special 20-oz and testing. We are proud to support the cause harm there? And most importantly, Wonder what it’s like to swim with whales? tumbler will feature Leoma’s “Flock of Fla- American Cancer Society in this mission. what can we do about it? Part of the St. Want to step inside a Van Gogh painting? mingos” painting, which portrays how sur- We are inspired by Leoma’s strength during Lucie Water Champions Initiative, this Basic Virtual Reality uses a computer, headset viving a diagnosis is best with a “flock” of her fight against breast cancer and it is our Training will take place on Saturday, May 18 and sensors to immerse you directly into a friends. hope that the proceeds earned from the ‘Pink from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Oxbow three-dimensional, computer-generated “I am honored that Bealls has chosen my Power’ tumbler will help others in their fight Eco-Center located at 5400 NE St. James world. Your head, hands and body painting ‘Flock of Flamingos’ as the founda- against cancer. There is strength in numbers Drive, Port St. Lucie. It is free and open to movements are tracked to let you interact tion for their limited edition tumbler to help and this is a fight that can be won together.” ages 13 and older. Lunch will be provided. with what you see inside the headset. Come raise breast cancer awareness. As a breast Leoma Lovegrove is an impressionist-ex- To register for the May 18 Basic Training, check out the library’s Vive Virtual Reality cancer survivor, I know from personal expe- pressionist painter known worldwide for her please call the Oxbow Eco-Center at 772- System.