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Island Club
An overview of the contents of the Island Club were presented to the Master Board Elect on October 24th. A number of questions were asked. We are waiting for a written document identifying the equipment. Both offices to the left of the entrance will be furnished. The library will have some furniture. There will be 25 round tables and 200 upholstered chairs provided. The craft room will have four tables and 16 chairs. The billiard room will have one billard table and a small table with four chairs.
The kitchen is a catering kitchen only. It was explained that if it was a "cooking" kitchen that the construction and required equipment would be completely different.
The aerobics room has a wooden, padded floor with its own sound system. The work out room has a rubber floor with various pieces of equipment. The outside pool area will have 40 lounges with 20 small side tables. There is an adjoining tot lot, that will be completely fenced to keep small children safe. To the left of the main entrance is a tennis court and a multipurpose court which will be fenced. The two acre open space area has a shaded pavillion for the comfort of the residents.
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Detailed information regarding the contents of the Island Club should be available this week.
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The Island Club should receive a certificate of occupancy by November 1. However, time will be needed to install the equipment, window treatments, etc. Therefore a "soft" opening is planned for close to December 1, with a Grand Opening several weeks later.
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Projected opening is still November 1.
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A PDF file can be viewed here to show the layout of the facility. John Csapo from Kolter has organized three committees regarding the Island Club. They include the Social Committee which is looking at activities of interest to the community, a finance committee that will be looking at management companies to operate the Island Club, and a rules Committee.
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June 3, 2007
Insulation is being installed along with the air conditioners. The mold for the pool has been constructed.
If you recall, we asked for hurricane resistant windows and a backup generator and power system. Projected completion is November 2007.
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Walls up and roof on.
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Progressing
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-3/7/07
Contrator: Barry Craft
Kast Construction Company LLC
Preliminary construction has begun.
Must provide the following documents:
Stormwater permit
Environmental permit
Fire Department Review: pending
Plans examiner review: incomplete 14 comments
Supervisor Review: Pending
Zoning Review: Pending
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Construction has begun on the walls.
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Some construction permits have been issued.
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Under ground construction is complete as per John Csapo of Kolter. Engineered drawings are supposed to be submitted to the County this week (between Christmas and New Years). Projected completion date is now November of 2007
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November 28, 2006
Site work continues on the Island Club. Projected completion date is the spring of 2008.
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October 14, 2006
Site work continues on the Island Club. Projected completion is Spring 2008.
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August 1, 2006
The Island Club site plan has been approved with several conditions. A fence must be placed around the pool. A fence must be placed around the tot area to protect the children from the waterway. Bicycle stands will be supplied near the backetball court.
Curbing and a hedge will be placed between the parking lot and the open space play area to prevent parking on the children's recreation site. Completion is expected in early 2008.
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July 31, 2006
Island Club hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, August 1 at the Commission chambers.
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July 22, 2006
The Island Club site plan will be voted upon at the County Commission meeting on Tuesday, August 1 at 6:00 PM at the Commission Chambers.
Pamela Hammer spoke with Kolter's engineer to point out some mistakes in the plan that must be corrected. The children's playground was being designated as overflow parking. That has now been corrected with another plan submitted 7/11/06. There still is no fence around the pool which is a violation of the code. The children's play structure may be too close to the water.
Please try to attend the August 1 hearing and ask any questions. Your comments may also be sent via mail or email to the commissioners.
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June 12, 2006
Island Club: The County Staff and representatives of Kolter are meeting in serious discussions to attempt to solve all of the outstanding issues regarding the Reserve DRI. The meetings are closed due to their “negotiations” nature. The County staff is attempting to resolve the DRI conditions issues (490 Acres of Upland Habitat and 4 two acre minimum recreation areas for small children) along with the Island Club that was promised to the Kolter buyers. Kolter wants to build 170 more houses north of the circle and Maidstone, along Commerce Blvd. The PORI Board has taken the position of NO MORE HOUSES in our DRI until the 490 acres of Upland Habitat are provided on site. The meetings and discussions are ongoing. As soon as an agreement is reached, we will publish it on the web site and send out another email blast. Then there will be public hearings before the County Commissioners.
We have had a lot of questions about who will be able to use the Island Club. If every property owner has to pay for the Island Club then every property owner or their tenant(s) will be permitted to use the Island Club. This includes all of the units along Perfect Drive and all of the 500 units in Castle Pines. You do not have to live behind a gate to be permitted access to the Island Club. You only have to be an owner in the Reserve which is now know as PGA Village.
May 15, 2006
Below is the entire letter that the Growth Management Director sent to the DCA (Department of Community Affairs)
2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, Florida 34982-5652
May 8, 2006
Mr. Roger Wilburn, Regional Planning Administrator
Florida Department of Community Affairs
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
Subject: The Reserve DRI, Saint Lucie County
Dear Mr. Wilburn:
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the issues regarding The Reserve Development of Regional Impact (DRI) on April 18th. I am writing to follow up on our conference call, which also involved a member of your legal staff and our County Attorney.
During our conversation you referenced several provisions of the Florida Administrative Code and the Florida Statutes regarding Developments of Regional Impact. Your conclusion and that of your legal counsel present was that the county has the authority to issue and enforce the DRI Development Order, and that absent an issue of state significance involving state agencies, the county has latitude in how it chooses to enforce the DRI Development Order.
We agreed that the county could permit The Island Club development to move forward under the conditions we discussed – that it includes a two acre free play area as part of the resolution of one of the DRI compliance issues regarding recreational facilities for children. Your legal counsel present concurred.
We understand your department’s position is that our finding that The Reserve Development of Regional Impact is not in compliance was arrived at properly, and is correct. We also understand that you support our efforts to arrive at a negotiated solution that will result in a revised DRI Development Order, which will probably implement and be supported by a negotiated settlement agreement.
We understand that The Reserve Development of Regional Impact presents significant development risk to the developer, because the latest NOPC DRI Development Order changes have not been rendered to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
Roger Wilburn, DCA
May 8, 2006
Re: The Reserve DRI
Page Two of Two
agreed that the DRI Development Order that is in effect is the last DRI Development Order that was properly reviewed and rendered to the DCA.
It is our understanding that the Department of Community Affairs is willing to support the county with technical assistance, should we request it. In the last resort, should negotiations fail, the Department of Community Affairs may issue a Notice of Violation
at the request of the county in order to bring The Reserve Development of Regional Impact into compliance with the adopted DRI Development Order.
Based on the above understandings, we are structuring a proposed settlement of the compliance issues associated with The Reserve DRI. As we discussed, the staff will work toward the creation of a settlement agreement that will provide both specific measures to be taken and a process to resolve the outstanding DRI compliance issues regarding The Reserve DRI. If we obtain agreement from the developer, we will move forward through the NOPC process and develop a revised DRI Development Order to bring the DRI into compliance.
Please contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. You can reach me by e-mail at nixr@stlucieco.gov, or by telephone at 772-462-1590.
Sincerely,
Bob Nix, AICP, Director
Growth Management
April 30, 2006
On April 18th, the County Attorneys and staff had a conference call with the DCA (Department of Community Affairs) attorneys and staff regarding the situation with Kolter's non-compliance with the Development Order and the possibility of allowing the Island Club to be built as fullfillment of one of the conditions of the Development Order. The County is working with DCA and the TCRPC(Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council) and Kolter to amend the site plan where the Island Club is to be located to allow for a 2 acre free play area. If the property provides that amenity, then from what we understand, the DCA, TCRPC, and County will allow the Island Club to go forward.
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April 14, 2006
No information from DCA.
No new plan submitted by Kolter.
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Report from Robert Nix, Growth Management Director for St. Lucie County
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Director
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Bob Nix, AICP, Director of Growth Management
DATE: March 21, 2006
SUBJECT: The Reserve DRI Compliance Issues and The Island Club
On Monday, March 20th, staff met with representatives of Kolter Properties, Inc. to hear their first proposal to resolve the DRI Compliance issues. They acknowledged that in spite of their best efforts, it was taking longer to obtain the necessary commitments to protect upland habitat than they had at first expected. County staff acknowledged that as more information becomes available, the issues become more complex, but that the issues can be identified and resolved in a reasonable time.
Kolter explained their progress in negotiations with the PGA golf course to create easements on the golf course property to protect upland habitat. Kolter representatives estimated that more than one hundred acres of upland habitat may be afforded protection on the PGA golf course.
In spite of previous staff comments to fix upland protection in place, Kolter representatives expressed a desire to create moveable easements on the golf course. Staff stated that the proposed approach is likely to be found unacceptable by staff, as noted to Kolter in earlier staff comments. Kolter representatives then agreed that there may be areas on the PGA golf course property where fixed upland conservation easements can be established, but not in the areas that may be affected by future relocations of fairways and greens. Staff agreed that Kolter should provide fixed conservation easements on as many golf course acres as possible, then identify the remaining acres that would be protected by “moveable” easements. An agreement acceptable to the county would have to be provided. Kolter proposed a three party agreement between the PGA golf course, Kolter, and the county.
Staff provided Kolter representatives with the latest map accounting of the uplands not preserved. A copy of the map is attached for your information. The accounting for uplands assumes that all of the micrositing is valid, even though we already know it probably is not. Kolter was informed that we are reviewing the micrositing to obtain the final accounting. Kolter was invited to review the map, and provide us with documentation supporting any different opinions that they have about the accounting for preserved uplands. The map shows a shortage of approximately 270 acres of upland preservation.
Staff informed Kolter representatives of the Regional Planning Council’s issue regarding the lack of four two acre or larger recreational sites conveniently located to all of the subareas of the development. Kolter representatives stated that they would start negotiations with the RPC to resolve that issue.
Staff informed Kolter representatives that homeowners had raised issues about the lack of required transportation improvements. Kolter representatives acknowledged that this issue would be addressed in a proposed Notice of Proposed Change to the Development of Regional Impact Development Order (NOPC). It was, the Kolter representatives said, the primary issue they had hoped to address in the latest NOPC that has not been transmitted to the state.
Staff informed the Kolter representatives about our concerns about the loss of listed species that were supposed to be protected on the site. Staff’s position is that if the losses were the result of changes to management plans approved by the proper state/federal regulatory agencies, and the agencies were aware of and accepted the losses, then staff has no issues. Staff wants documentation in the county’s DRI file about the loss of listed species on the project site.
There was a brief discussion about the Island Club recreational facility. Kolter representatives stated their desire to build it, and asked staff if they could obtain approvals. Staff responded that the staff’s original position was to allow the Island Club to move forward, but that a review of the legal requirements of the Florida Statutes resulted in the conclusion that the county could not issue any permits or approvals for any development as long as the project is not in compliance with its DRI Development Order. Staff is discussing this issue with the Florida Department of Community Affairs to see if the state will release the Island Club from the state law restrictions, because it is a common facility and it may be built in a way that moves toward compliance with the Development Order by providing one of the four two acre recreational sites for the use of children that are required by the Development Order.
Please contact me if you need any additional information. Our estimated time frame for bringing a proposal on the DRI compliance issues to the Board of County Commissioners is 30 to 120 days, depending on how quickly we can obtain information, conclude negotiations, and prepare the proposed NOPC and agreements.
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At the Commission meeting on February 21, the Board of County Commissioners found that Kolter was in non-compliance with the conditions of the Development Order. Kolter has 30 days to present a plan showing compliance.
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The Island Club subject is presently scheduled for discussion on the February 21, County Commission Agenda. The meeting begins at 6:00PM.
According to Assistant County Administrator, Faye Outlaw,
"This date is contingent upon the County and Developer reaching agreement on various aspects of the Devleopment Order (DO). There are two primary outstanding issues; the required 490 acres of preserved upland habitat and the eight acres of recreation sites.
These two items are considered compliance issues under the DO. Until the County deterines the Developer is in compliance with the DO, futher permits or approval of items such as the Island Club cannot be granted as stipulated imder Florida Statutes, section 380.06(17).At the January 10th update of this item, the Board confirmed its position to not continue approving items within the development until the DO items are met.
By letter dated January 5, 2006, the Developer submitted a detailed response on these compliance issues. The County Attorney's Office is reviewing the Developer's correspondence to determine if the proposed actions meet sufficient compliance with the DO. Based on that determination, either the public hearing on the Island Club will be held as scheduled and public comments may be made to the Board as part of that proecess.
Or there will be a second update on the outstanding compliance issues at the February 21st meeting for the Board's discussion. The Board allowed public coments during the first update (January 10th) on this item and is expected to do so again should a second update be necessary at their February 21st meeting."
SEE BELOW FOR DIRECTIONS TO VIEW JANUARY 10 MEETING
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January 10, 2006
For up to date information, please watch channel 20 for the County Commission meeting or go to St Lucie County online, SLCTV, Video on Demand, and pull up the January 10 meeting. If you move the scroll at the bottom of the page to one hour and twenty four minutes, you will see the County Commissioners comments, Roy Davidson from Kolters comments, and PORI President, Pamela Hammer's comments.
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Scheduled for December 6, 2005 before the Board of County Commissioners.
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August 22, 2005
The Board of County Commissioners have changed the October 4 meeting to 9:00AM instead of 6:00PM in order to appear in DC to lobby for additional funding for St. Lucie County. The Island Club hearing will be readvertised and scheduled for the October 11, 2005 BOCC meeting. This meeting commences at 6:00PM in the County Commissioner chambers.
August 8, 2005
The Island Club is on the County Commission agenda for Tuesday October 4.
At the July 27 meeting with Kolter Rep Roy Davidson and a followup email later, the following information was given:
The main building has approximately 11,000 square feet of air conditioned space and 3,000 square feet of covered patios, mechanical, and storage spaces.
The exercise building has approximately 3,700 square feet of air conditioned space and 1,100 square feet of covered entry and other non-user space. Combined square footage for both buildings is approximatley 18,800 square feet.
There will be one pool.
100 parking spaces
Use the field for overflow parking
One open court
One tennis court
Wall and berm is in place along Village Parkway
Walking trail around the perimeter of the site
Cafe inside with vending machines
No kitchen
No restaurant
Card rooms
Ballroom will accommodate 150 chairs
2 multi-purpose rooms
Budget is for three full time employees, with club open 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. Longer hours will require more staff.
No fitness trainer in workout room.
No life guard.
No billiard room
400 units from Vistana time share will not belong and will not pay membership.
Golf villas along Perfect Drive may not have to belong.
Everyone else who owns in PGA Village will have mandatory membership.
Kolter will try to restrict renters use of Island Club
Kolter is firm on the original location.
Rules as to how many guests per home will be permitted, acceptable behavior, use of the facilty are yet to be determined.
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June 20, 2005
Design is set. Location to remain at the end of Champions way. Possible entrance from Village Parkway. Projected completion, December 2006.
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June 1, 2005
Kolter is studying the project. No new information.
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May 2, 2005
Scheduled for County Commission Agenda on August 2, 2005
The PORI Board of Directors HAS NOT AND WILL NOT take a position on this issue. Anyone, including Kolter employees, who tells you differently is mistaken.
In order to try to understand some of the background and issues around the Island Club, let's look at the following information.
Our entire community has the official name of the Reserve. When Kolter purchased the development they changed the name to PGA Village. Therefore, when you hear Reserve and PGA Village they are one and the same. If you live in the Reserve, you live in PGA Village and if you live in PGA Village, you live in the Reserve. We are all under the same master homeowners association.
All of the people who purchased their homes and lots prior to Kolter coming in, had no idea of a Community Recreation Center being built. Some communities such as Callaway actually had mandatory membership in the Legacy.
Some time after Kolter purchased the community, they decided to build a recreation facility which has come to be known as the Island Club. Many, many residents who purchased "post" Kolter were promised this facility.
Many rumors, promises, and information have been circulated since then.
Kolter is committed to building the Island Club. After their first presentation to the County Commissioners a few months ago, Kolter was asked to meet individually with each County Commissioner. Several issues were discussed such as the location of the facility, traffic, and parking. The issue was "continued" until two weeks later. Two weeks later, Kolter had not met with the Commissioners and requested another one month delay. That meeting was held on April 19, 2005. At the April meeting Kolter indicated that they had a new Project Supervisor, Roy Davidson, who had just come on board, and they would like to give him time to address the issues that were raised by the Commissioners. The hearing on the Island Club was then delayed until August 2, 2005 at 6:00PM.
During one of the regular meetings that the PORI executive board has with the Kolter officials, Roy Davidson raised the issue of the Island Club. We indicated that we did not speak for the community on that issue, and would not take a position. However we did raise some of the concerns that have been raised regarding the size of the facility. Mr. Davidson indicated that the Island Club would be built, but it was "meant to be an amenity such as the ocean, golfing, etc, and it was NEVER meant to be a social clubhouse big enough for the whole community".
A number of suggestions have been made from many of the residents. These vary from "don't build it" to "we want it now, we were promised the Island Club."
An attempt was made by PORI to ask for voluntary membership. The results of the survey we did last year showed that over 70% of the residents wanted membership to be voluntary. Kolter has refused to do that.
There is some discussion about moving the location of the Island Club to make it more accessible to everyone. This would help to eliminate all the parking that would occur on Champions Way. No additional information is available at this time.
Some have suggested that the Island Club be equipped with a backup power system so that it is useful during any future emergencies.
We will continue to provide updates as we become aware of them, but again THE PORI BOARD WILL NOT TAKE A POSITION FOR OR AGAINST THE ISLAND CLUB. Each individual is free to express their own opinion.
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