The Fort Pierce City Commission meeting on August 4, 2025, focused on a conditional use application for a group home located at 2021 Sunrise Boulevard. The applicant, Lashana Roberts, seeks approval to operate a licensed Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) group home for up to five residents aged 21 to 65. The property, a single-family residence, is situated in a C-1 office commercial zone and spans approximately 0.19 acres.

The proposed facility will include four bedrooms and two bathrooms, with plans for four full-time employees working in rotating shifts. The home will provide life skills training, medication management, and community integration services. The planning board previously voted 4 to 1 in favor of the application, recommending approval with two conditions: the residential driveway must be a minimum of 12 feet wide, and parking will be limited to two vehicles at a time.

During the meeting, commissioners discussed the implications of the C-1 zoning classification, noting that the conditional use approval is necessary because the property is not zoned for single-family use. State statutes regarding community residential homes were also examined, with officials clarifying that the city cannot impose additional licensing requirements beyond what is mandated by the state.

Concerns were raised about the proximity of other group homes and local schools, including St. Lucie Elementary and Dan McCarty School. However, the city does not maintain a database of existing group homes, leaving the determination of compliance with state density regulations to state authorities.

The commission's decision on the conditional use application will be significant for the community, as it balances the need for supportive housing against zoning regulations and neighborhood considerations. Further discussions and a vote on the application are expected in upcoming meetings.