Martin County Commission puts the brakes on proposed rural lifestyle land-use designation

MARTIN COUNTY — The County Commission Tuesday took a pause on a controversial land-use designation, which, if accepted, would have set the stage for a luxurious residential golfing-training course group in Hobe Audio.

The commission tabled approving or denying the proposed “rural life style” designation after hours of break up general public responses and presentations from county team and reps of the developer.

It is unclear when it will appear right before the fee subsequent.

Commissioners Ed Ciampi and Stacey Hetherington urged developer Tom Hurley, of Becker Keeping Co., to return with a land-use designation that would apply only to his house somewhat than supplemental houses somewhere else in the county.

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“When folks had been anxious that they could not really comprehend the global approach, it may possibly have been a lot easier for them to recognize the specific solution. Speaking for myself, I would’ve,” Ciampi claimed explained to the conference.

The rural way of living designation was proposed — and now is delayed — in tandem with the Atlantic Fields challenge, 317 solitary-loved ones households and an 18-gap golfing program on 1,530 acres on the north facet of Southeast Bridge Street, 1 mile east of Interstate 95.

The designation would allow for density to be improved to 1 unit for each 5 acres on lands ordinarily designated for agriculture. If a developer proposed a undertaking with a density a lot more intense than 1 device for each 20 acres, they would be expected to designate other, separate home as conservation or an agricultural easement.

In addition, it would apply only to qualities of at the very least 1,000 contiguous acres in unincorporated Martin County outside the Principal Urban Support District. It would enable extension of utilities to a home outdoors the boundary but at a assets owner’s expenditure and would need 70% of a property be utilized for open space these as golf courses and polo fields.

Tale proceeds

Hurley wasn’t “thrilled,” he told TCPalm following the commission final decision to delay, but that he would recraft the proposed language to present clarity for commissioners and residents.

“I imagine there was a wonderful deal of confusion,” he explained.

The designation, which would amend the county’s in depth strategy, was reviewed by the state departments of Financial Option and Agriculture and Client Solutions and the Treasure Coast Regional Arranging Council. The agencies did not oppose the designation, but they gave ideas that were being incorporated into the proposal.

Representatives of environmental teams spoke out towards the designation, the two on line ahead of the assembly and for the duration of the meeting alone, which include the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters steering committee, 1000 Good friends of Florida, Mates of the Everglades and the Guardians of Martin County.

The Guardians of Martin County Govt Director Greg Braun referred to 26,500 acres that could qualify for the rural way of life designation, as introduced before by Morris Crady, a land planner with Lucido & Associates symbolizing Hurley.

“The Guardians come to feel strongly that the spatial extent of the rural-life style zoning place must be appreciably decreased,” Braun told the fee. “It’s not possible to identify what the impression would be on the amounts of company that are referred to as for in the (comprehensive) strategy.”

Despite the fact that opposition dominated general public comment, some speakers voiced assistance, which includes the Martin County Farm Bureau.

“We think the rural lifestyle land-use designation will give a opportunity for farmers to reinvest in them selves and continue on their farms,” Bureau President David Hafner stated. “Although we believe that the Atlantic Fields challenge to be a excellent challenge, we consider this land-use should really be readily available to all Martin County landowners and should really not be restricted.”

Lina Ruiz is TCPalm’s watchdog reporter for Martin County. You can achieve her at [email protected], on Twitter @Lina_Ruiz48 or at 321-501-3845.

This posting originally appeared on Treasure Coastline Newspapers: Martin County delays rural life-style land-use designation selection