TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida; Approving a Preliminary Subdivision Plat for Fire Station 87 to Create Two Parcels, Parcel 1 for a Public Safety Facility and Parcel 2 an Open-Space Park on Approximately 4.77 Acres Located at the Intersection of the Northeast Corner of Manasota Beach Road and Preto Boulevard; Providing for Findings; Providing for Preliminary Subdivision Plat Approval; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. (QUASI-JUDICIAL).
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2025-R-73.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2025-R-73.
• Pros:
o The proposed Resolution is consistent with the Village J Village District Pattern Plan (VDPP) and supports continued build-out of Wellen Park with adequate provision of public safety services.
o Establishing Fire Station #87 will result in improved emergency response times and public safety services for surrounding neighborhoods.
o The proposed playground will provide additional opportunities for recreation in the growing Wellen Park area.
• Cons: Development of the fire station and playground may temporarily strain local infrastructure, including construction traffic, utility connections, and staging impacts on surrounding roads.
Option 2: Deny Resolution No. 2025-R-73.
• Pros: Denial would prevent short-term disturbances such as construction traffic, noise, and dust affecting nearby residents and infrastructure.
• Cons:
o Denying the project would postpone establishment of Fire Station 87, potentially affecting emergency response times and public safety coverage in the area.
o Improvements to public infrastructure is essential to support build-out of Wellen Park. Denying this project would limit fire safety infrastructure in this area which will impact additional residential growth.
Background Information
On August 6, 2025, West Villages Improvement District submitted an application to the City of North Port, Florida for approval of a Subdivision Preliminary Plat for Fire Station 87.
The purpose of the petition is to subdivide Tract 102 of Manasota Beach Ranchlands Plat No. 1 into two (2) parcels. Parcel 1 for a public safety facility (Fire Station #87) and Parcel 2 for a playground area which is to remain under the ownership of the West Villages Improvement District (WVID). The construction of the Fire Station and playground sites will include the installation of all required infrastructure, including but not limited to water and sanitary lines, access drives, drainage, and stormwater management areas. Additionally, the plan features site lighting, landscaping, and a reserved area for a future building. The proposed Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is 0.05, with 65.2% allocated as open space. These improvements will be reviewed with subsequent Site Development and Infrastructure applications. A final replat application has been submitted and is currently under review.
The subject property is zoned Village (V) with a Future Land Use Designation of Village (V). The subject property is located within Village J within Wellen Park. Per the Village J Pattern Plan, this site was designated for development of a Fire Station or as a Mixed-Use area (MU-1).
Resolution No. 2025-R-73 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and it is legally correct as to form.
Resolution 2025-R-73 was provided to the City Clerk’s Office on November 3, 2025, for signature subject to City Commission approval.
The agenda will be published prior to the availability of the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board (PZAB) Action Report, and the PZAB results will be communicated to the Commission during the Staff presentation.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Economic Development & Growth Management
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2025-R-73
2. Staff Report with Exhibits
3. Staff Presentation
Prepared by: Sherry Willette-Grondin, Planner III
Lori Barnes, AICP, CPM, Deputy Director, Development Services Department
Department Director: Alaina Ray, AICP, Director, Development Services Department