Massive Waterfront Development Set to Transform the Treasure Coast Under the Florida Live Local Act
For residents across the Treasure Coast, maintaining the balance between coastal charm and modern growth is an ongoing conversation. However, a groundbreaking project in neighboring Fort Pierce is highlighting exactly how new state legislation is taking local zoning control out of the hands of city officials. The largest development in the city’s history, known as Causeway Cove, is slated to break ground later this year, and it is using the Florida Live Local Act to bypass traditional municipal roadblocks.
What is the Causeway Cove Project?
Located at 601 Seaway Drive on South Hutchinson Island, the Causeway Cove marina property has been owned by G Flash GP Inc. since 2003. Now, under Palm Beach-based real estate developer Ashton DePeyster, the site is poised for a massive transformation. If the project adheres to the city’s 31 conditions of approval, construction will begin by the end of the year.
The sheer scale of this mixed-use development will drastically alter the local skyline. Key features of the Causeway Cove project include:
- A 192-Foot Tower: The focal point of the five-building development is an “X” shaped tower, projected to be completed by 2030, with the remaining buildings finished by 2035.
- High-Density Housing: The complex will introduce 913 residential units to the island, utilizing the maximum density allowed of 30 units per acre.
- Hospitality and Retail: The site will feature two hotels totaling 407 rooms, alongside 72,622 square feet of retail space and 218 marina slips.
- Transit Options: To mitigate traffic impacts, the development proposes a water taxi connection, a public transit stop, and a shuttle service linking Hutchinson Island to the mainland.
The Power of the Live Local Act
The driving force behind this unprecedented approval process is the 2023 Florida Live Local Act. This state law was designed to incentivize the creation of affordable housing statewide. Under the legislation, developers can circumvent local government zoning approvals, density caps, and parking reductions if they commit to setting aside at least 40 percent of their residential units as affordable housing for 30 years. Because Causeway Cove is dedicating 366 units to meet this threshold, Fort Pierce city staff were required to grant administrative approval, stripping the city and its residents of the ability to halt the project through public comment.
Community Backlash and Evacuation Concerns
The administrative approval has sparked significant dismay among local residents and some city officials. During a recent Planning Board meeting, a crowd of nearly 90 residents protested the conceptual renderings, expressing deep frustration over their inability to stop the development. An online petition opposing the project has also garnered over 2,100 signatures.
The primary concern among locals is safety and infrastructure. City officials estimate that Causeway Cove will increase the population on Hutchinson Island by more than 70 percent and boost traffic by 50 percent. Many residents fear this dramatic increase in density will create severe bottlenecks during hurricane evacuations.
The Affordability Paradox
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the development is the definition of “affordable housing” under the state law, which may not provide the financial relief intended for local renters.
Under the Florida Live Local Act, affordability is defined using 120 percent of the area median income. For the local metropolitan area, this translates to a maximum “affordable” rent of approximately $2,448 per month—which is roughly double the current median gross rent of $1,217 typically paid by Fort Pierce residents.
As the Treasure Coast region continues to attract immense real estate interest, the Causeway Cove development serves as a stark example of how state-level housing initiatives are reshaping local communities, often overriding local zoning preferences in the pursuit of higher-density living.
