FORT PIERCE — The St. Lucie County Commission voted unanimously Oct. 7 to amend its Commercial Neighborhood Zoning District and grant a conditional use permit allowing Brock’s Pizzeria on South Hutchinson Island to expand its beverage service to include liquor in addition to beer and wine.
The county’s Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval Aug. 21, and the County Commission held a first reading Sept. 2. Senior Planner Thad Crowe reintroduced the petition, explaining that the amendment permits liquor sales at bona fide restaurants under 4,000 square feet, with service hours limited to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The measure also included a waiver from the 1,600-foot distance requirement between alcohol service and parks.
Crowe said each future application would be reviewed individually for neighborhood compatibility. “This is not a rezoning,” he said. “It merely changes the CN District to allow mixed drinks for legitimate restaurants.”
District 1 Commissioner James Clasby clarified that the change applies countywide. “This is allowing businesses to have more flexibility, but it requires them to come ask us,” he said. “I’m always in favor of giving businesses more opportunities to be successful.”
The only nearby resident to speak, longtime Beach Club Colony owner Bob Doyle, raised traffic concerns and asked that commercial access remain limited to the main parking lot. “Don’t allow them to egress through Beach Club Colony,” he said. “Right now, Surf Drive clearly states no commercial vehicles beyond this point.”
After brief discussion, the board unanimously approved the zoning amendment.
The following agenda item — Brock’s specific conditional use permit — drew deeper debate. Crowe noted that while the pizzeria, opened in 1996, has been a neighborhood fixture, its proximity to homes warranted screening and landscaping improvements. “Residents to the west are exposed to parking and deliveries not conducive to the residential character,” he said. “We’re requiring landscaping to prevent cars from hopping wheel stops and encroaching on Las Olas Drive.”
Land Use Attorney Nicolas Gieseler, representing Brock’s, said the owners quickly addressed one of the chief complaints. “Historically there was a fence in a deteriorated state,” he said. “The applicant swiftly met with neighbors and fixed it the next day. Now there is proper buffering between the site and the residential community.”
Land Planner Dennis Murphy added that more landscaping upgrades are planned. “We’d like flexibility and a time period to carry that out,” he said. “It’s a tight fit to add aesthetic improvements while maintaining safe access for vehicles and pedestrians.”
Commissioner Cathy Townsend, whose district includes South Hutchinson Island, voiced her support. “Mr. Doyle is correct—this did come to the board back in 2017,” she said. “It’s been quiet since then. I hope the board supports this small business that serves the south side of the island. Stronger restrictions will be put on them, but they remain a staple in the community.”
Clasby, however, expressed concern about extended hours and the possibility of takeout liquor. Gieseler assured commissioners his client sought only on-premise service but wanted flexible hours. “Customers showed a propensity to want distilled beverages with their pizza,” he said. “We’d like the option for lunch or breakfast in the future. We’re fine with limiting service to onsite consumption.”
Chairwoman Jamie Fowler pushed back on the early start time. “I don’t want to extend it all the way to breakfast,” she said. “I’m fine with 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., but not later than they are now.”
Commissioners Larry Leet and Erin Lowry favored the later cutoff. “My family’s been in the restaurant business almost 50 years,” Lowry said. “Restaurants typically don’t close until 10 o’clock. Selling liquor until 9 and beer until 10 would just confuse things.”
Clasby initially motioned for liquor sales from 3 to 9 p.m., but after extending it to 10 p.m., Leet seconded the motion.
New co-owner Ignacio Bueno told commissioners the change comes directly from customer feedback. “We listened to our customers,” he said. “They told us not to change a thing — except they’d love to enjoy a cocktail with dinner. Extending to 10 p.m. just gives us a little cushion so we’re not pushing people out the door while they’re finishing their meal.”
In the end, the board voted unanimously to approve the conditional use permit with conditions: no package liquor sales and one year to complete new landscaping and parking improvements.