The most recent snag in the development of the Island Club came in February, when St. Lucie County determined the developer, Kolter Property Co., had not provided 490 acres of upland preserve habitat as required by the development order for PGA Village.
Some homeowners have demanded this land, which would be a place for native plant and animal species to be protected.
After listening to resident complaints and to Kolter representatives, commissioners blocked further building at PGA Village until the developer provided the habitat and resolved other development issues. The company was given 30 days to come up with a compliance plan, but no plan has yet been submitted.
Port St. Lucie, which has jurisdiction over portions of the land Kolter is developing, was notified of the county's findings, but decided Kolter had not violated the development orders it has within city limits. Work within the city has been allowed to continue.
What has irked some PGA Village residents is that Kolter is marketing its Verano project — which includes a luxury clubhouse — when work has not even begun on the Island Club. Verano and a new hotel in PGA Village were approved before the county was aware of the upland preserve problems, county officials say.
Kolter and the county still are negotiating that dispute, according to Bob Nix, county director of growth management.
Before any work can begin on the Island Club, the county commission must give final approval at a public meeting. Kolter officials previously said they would work with the county to resolve all problems and they would give residents the Island Club, as promised.
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