FORT PIERCE–A core group of 25 residents are each contributing $1,000 to start a legal fund to challenge what they feel is overdevelopment of South Hutchinson Island.

And a public information meeting Wednesday, Sept. 9 is expected to attract a large crowd of people who want information about their concerns as more development projects come to the City of Fort Pierce for approval.

Leaders hope the group Save South Hutchinson Island (SSHI) and the funding it generates will expand over the next several months as the second of what could be a series of South Island development projects are considered by the City of Fort Pierce.

According to Michael Broderick, District 2 city commissioner who represents South Hutchinson, the private group is preparing to file a lawsuit, which could involve the city, if municipal officials approve a proposal from Boardwalk on the Inlet in violation of the current island zoning overlay map.

While the massive residential, hotel, commercial, dining and retail development may be properly zoned for those uses, opponents have claimed the city’s zoning overlay covering 1710-1820 Seaway Dr., restricts the height of buildings to no more than 35-feet tall.

According to plans submitted to the city, several of the proposed structures go up 10-12 stories, or 125-145 feet high.

The Woods Family Limited Partnership, headed by Sander Woods, the owner of multiple automotive dealerships, including Treasure Coast Lexus of Fort Pierce, is developer of the Boardwalk project.

The Sept. 9 public meeting at the Pelican Yacht Club, 1120 Seaway Dr., begins at 6 p.m. and is advertised to “stop overdevelopment and protect the overlay.”

Another larger development, known as Causeway Cove, does not require city approvals because it meets the provisions of the state’s Live Local Act. The Florida legislature eliminated local obstacles to development that designates at least 40 percent of its residential units as “affordable housing” for a 30-year period.

Officials have not said what an “affordable” monthly rent is considered in Fort Pierce.

That means Causeway Cove is allowed to build up to 17 stories high in some of the five buildings it proposes on an $8 million waterfront property at 601 Seaway Dr.