--------- You're on lot of people here. >> Good morning and welcome to our December 9th, 2025 board meeting. This is our last meeting of the year. We are delighted that you've joined us this morning. Uh please join us for the invocation led by Reverend Singh
followed by the pledge of allegiance which is going to be led by Deputy Andrew Ross. Good morning. >> Good morning. Thank you for inviting me. Let's unite in heart, mind, and spirit. Creator of our glorious universe, author
of all life, giver of every good and gracious gift. Thank you for the life we have together. Thank you for our great nation, our home state of Florida, and our beloved Martin County. Gracious one, as we celebrate the holidays in all of
our unique and wonderful ways, we pray that you will grant us your peace. Give us eyes to see your goodness and mercy in one another. Whatever our faith sta social station or background,
lead us to welcome and greet one another as neighbors and grant us the compassion, courage, and inner strength to care for one another, especially in our disagreements. May your loving spirit inspire us to strive not only for our own good, not
only for the good of our friends or allies or supporters, but for the good of all. In this holy time, may your justice, mercy, and steadfast love rain down on this entire planet and bless us
all with life, liberty, and peace. Amen. >> Amen. >> Beautiful. >> Deputy Ross, would you lead us in the in the pledge and then tell us about your uh army career? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thanks. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Good morning. >> Good morning.
>> Yes, I uh joined the military in 2000 with the 724th MP battalion out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. And then I was deployed to Bram, Afghanistan in 2007 to 2008. Upon returning, I joined the second of the 108th MP battalion out of
Fort Jackson where I currently am a MP instructor um non-commission officer in charge at the debt in um by Gun Club Road and and that's it. Got 25 years. >> Thank you very much for your service. [applause] >> [applause]
>> And now we have a special treat this morning. We have the children from the G Gertude Walden Child Care Center and they're going to sing Christmas carols to us. So please join us as we enjoy the children from Gertrude Wall.
Good morning. Good morning. >> Good morning. Good morning. >> Good morning. >> I bring you greetings from virtual Walden Child Care Center. This is our VPK class. VPK is voluntary
pre kindergarten. So these are the kids that will be entering kindergarten in the fall. But this year, Girtu Walden Child Care Center is one of seven rated excellent at the state level on the Treasure Coast. ELC serves Tre serves Martin,
Indian River, and Okchobee County. So out of all the BPK programs in those three counties, there were only seven that rated excellent and Ger Walden is one of those seven. We are very excited. [applause] >> And I know as a former fifth grade teacher, it's very important that
children enter kindergarten ready. And that's what we strive to do every day. This past week, we had the pleasure of going to ICE at the Gaylord Palms. The kids had a great time. They sung at the city commission meeting yesterday and we
are happy to be here today. Boys and girls, are you ready? >> Yes. >> Okay. Yes. Okay. Good morning. So, we're going to do jingle bells first. Ready? One, two, three. >> Jingle bell, jingle [singing] bell, jingle all
[singing] sle. Hey, jingle bells, jingle bells, [singing] jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a onehorse open sleigh. Hey, through the snow
[applause] open sleigh. fields we go laughing all the [singing] way till the rain making
fun it [singing] is to ride sing tonight. Oh, jingle [singing] bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun [singing] it is to ride in a onehorse open sleigh. Hey Jingle bell,
jingle bell, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun [singing] it is to ride in a one open sleigh. >> All right. [applause] >> Are we ready to wish them a merry Christmas? [screaming] >> One, two, three.
>> We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Good tidings we bring to you [singing] and your kids. We wish you a merry
Christmas and a happy new year. [singing] >> All right. [applause and cheering] [applause] On this Friday, this same group will perform in the Nutcracker at the Lyric Theater. We've been doing this with a partnership with Florida Arts and Dance.
I think this is maybe the 12th year. So they have performed two shows on Friday and a show on Saturday at the lyric. And we have kids that started with dance at Girtual Walden that Kylie James is now in middle high school and still dancing.
So it's great that they get that experience and that exposure to keep it going. All right, boys and girls. Are we ready for our LAST SONG? >> YEAH. [screaming] YOU'RE ON TV. But it's still seven seconds away. >> Hey cup.
[laughter] My baby. Ready? Okay, boys and girls. Police. Police. >> [singing] [music] >> Police wish you a merry Christmas.
I want to wish you a merry Christmas. I want to wish you a merry Christmas [screaming] of my heart. I want to wish you a merry Christmas. [music] I want to wish [singing] you a merry
Christmas. I want to wish you a merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart. I know police. [singing] >> I want to wish you a merry Christmas. I want to wish you a merry Christmas. I
want to wish you a merry Christmas. Wish [music] you a merry Christmas. >> Let's go. [applause] Thank you so much. [applause] Good job. Great job.
Great job. Good job. Good job. Good job. That's true. That's very true. That's very, very true. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to end the meeting. [laughter]
>> It's only going to go downhill from now. I can promise you that. [clears throat] >> Let's see. We will begin our meeting with public comment. We have a preset at 10:30 of parks and recreation master plan. uh at 50:05 or at the end of the
meeting, we will have public comment. Um there's an additional item which is department four which is discussion on the Steuart West planned unit development which we will move up to the beginning of the meeting in order to accommodate our guests. [clears throat] Um and there are no consent items that
are pulled. Uh so is there a motion? Oh, and also another preset is at 9:15 we're all going to say happy birthday to Commissioner Vargas. Oh, thank you. >> Happy birthday. >> Happy birthday. >> Thank you. >> I'll move approval of the agenda.
>> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Uh request to speak. We will you'll each have three minutes to address us. The first request to speak form I have is
from Deborah Vagotsski followed by Constantine Alexenko. Maybe morning last. [clears throat] >> Good morning, commissioners and county officials, and thank you for the
opportunity to speak today. My name is Deb Vagotsky. My husband and I built our home in Steuart West in 2017. Drawn to its equestrian nature and to the longestablished character of this community. I actually come from a family of community service. My father was the
town councilman. My mother was a planning commissioner in Fairfax County, Virginia, a county that also experienced tremendous growth, especially during their tenure. Through them, I learned two things very early. First, while growth is inevitable, wellplanned growth
is essential. And second, that navigating community dynamics is one of the most challenging and often the most rewarding parts of public service. Your roles are incredibly important and the work you do for the county is truly appreciated. There are two items on
today's agenda that affect Steuart West and Cobblestone. The first is the Martin County or Martin Commerce Park project across Martin Highway and the second is the Steuart West PUD which is currently in the pre-application status. I'm not here to speak for or against the
Commerce Park project itself, but I do want to emphasize the importance of ensuring public safety infrastructure keeps pace with plan growth. This Thursday, two days from today, marks one year since a dev devastating fire destroyed our home,
our car, and its contents. And it took first responders 20 minutes to reach our home. My husband, Golden Retriever Champ, and I were thankfully unharmed, and we expect to be back in our home by June, 18 months after the fire. Having a
fire station with emergency medical personnel across the highway would dramatically improve response times and protect both lives and property. Whatever decisions are ultimately made regarding the Commerce Park, I respectfully urge that the county
prioritize establishing a fire rescue presence in this rapidly growing corridor. I also want to thank um Commissioner Campy and County Attorney Elise Elder for putting agenda item on to clear up some information that has been shared in
our community. Um, our association president as well as some others have said that the county is requiring that our pub be changed, that commissioner offered a discount to do that, and that animals that have resided safely in our
community for decades would be removed. I want to clearly state my opposition to the proposed amendment to the Steuart West PUD. By adding the undefined and broadened term of domesticated animals, it would authorize barnyard species such
as chickens, ducks, goats, pigs. A major shift in our residential zoning. Thank you again for your service and for your thoughtful attention to the needs of Steuart West Cobblestone as well as the entire county. Thank you. >> Thank you. Constantine Alexenko is next,
followed by Rob Reeri. Morning guys. Is it possible to change my speaking time to the agenda item or the end? >> Sure. [clears throat] >> Rob Reeri is next followed by Sher Wilson.
>> Morning, commissioners. Rob Reer, CEO for House of Hope. Uh a couple things on your agenda today that I just wanted to touch base on. One is uh the discussion and hopefully approval to transmit the um the changes around accessory dwelling
units. Um House of Hope has a housing committee that's had the opportunity to work closely with county staff on a lot of that. Uh I just want to say that this will be a great tool to add to our toolbox. Uh we have a serious lack of affordable housing. Um, creating some
accessory dwelling units will definitely help uh young people starting out in their careers, help seniors that are struggling to find affordable housing, uh, help women that are, uh, sort of moving on out of some of our local shelters. So, it'll serve a great
purpose in helping people to transition um to safe housing and to get their footing back in in the community. Um, al I also wanted to thank the staff for all of their hard work on this. uh every time we have the opportunity to work with your staff, it's always a pleasure.
I also learn a lot. You have great team of experts uh and uh appreciate everything that they do. Uh wanted to also talk about Martin Commerce Park. Um to me the most exciting thing about that is going to be um the addition of more
living wage and beyond jobs. Um, for our work at House of Hope, it's one of the biggest challenges is trying to help our clients find uh employment that will allow them the opportunity to be able to pay all their bills um and to be able to
live uh work and play in Martin County. So, we never have enough of those kinds of jobs. Anything that will uh safely and efficiently bring more of those opportunities to the community is a win. So, I appreciate your consideration on that as well. Thank you to all of you for all you do. Thanks for another great
year in Martin County. We appreciate your service and everything that you do for our community. >> Thanks. Sherry Wilson is next, followed by Kathy Jensen. >> Good morning, commissioners, and thank you for the opportunity to speak today.
My name is Sheri Wilson, and my husband, Kermit, and I moved to Steuart West just last year. I would also like to congratulate Elise Elder on her Martin County uh attorney. We appreciate the clarity and professionalism you've
brought to recent dis discussions. When we retired, we chose Martin County very intentionally. We were seeking an equestrian community, not a farm. one where we could enjoy our retirement with our animals, our two miniature horses,
Oreo and Cinnabon, and our beautiful Morgan horse, Livia. Livia and our two puppies, Laney and Lucy, um, all live there. Stuart West is home, and it's where we plan to spend the rest of our lives. Before retirement, I spent
decades as the top real estate agent in Lowden County, Virginia, the most affluent county in the country. Lowden is very similar to Martin County, a blend of farms, equestrian properties, rural estates, and suburban
neighborhoods. As a seasoned real estate professional, I have a deep respect for county authority, zoning or ordinances, land use protections, and the governing documents of homeowner associations and
property associations. I'm very familiar with PUDS and why they exist, why they were created, and they were created thoughtfully and intentionally. Throughout my career, I have worked with people who absolutely did not want a
homeowner association and others who very much did. When Kerman and I chose Steuart West, we did so because it's a deed restricted equestrian community with stable animals permitted, but not
barnyard animals. That distinction mattered to us and it still does. Unfortunately, a small but vocal group within our community is now attempting to change the very nature of our 40-year-old equestrian neighborhood.
[clears throat] They are trying to turn a residential equestrian community into a farm, including barnyard animals such as chickens, ducks, goats, and pigs, and more. Kermit and I love our horses, but
we purposely chose not to live on a farm. We do not want Steuart West to become something it was never intended to be. As someone who has spent a lifetime in real estate, I am well aware of the impact such as changes that
changes can have on property values. It can lower property values and not only uh it can hurt homeowners uh and it can reduce the tax uh base that supports market. >> Your time is up. Thank you.
>> Uh thank you um for letting me speak. >> Thank you. >> Kathy Jensen is next followed by Christopher Corey. >> Good morning. I would like to reserve my time at a later agenda time.
>> Okay. For Steuart West. >> No, for Me Run. >> Meet Run. Got it. >> And Mr. Alex Senko, are you Meto Run or Steuart West? >> Meet Run. >> Okay. Christopher Corey is next,
followed by Rick Hartman. >> Morning, commissioners. >> Good morning. So, uh, I apologize a bit if I look tired. I got in on the red eyee Fort Lauderdale at 1:00 a.m. >> Welcome. >> Uh, yeah. Listen, I've been before you guys a few times now regarding this. Um,
today it looks like, you know, there's a lot of people here uh for Meadow Run. And honestly, I'm I'm standing here and I didn't want to pack all 1600 of our members here. I don't think you had seating for it.
you know, we had 130 or so declarations, individual declarations. Um, and honestly, you know, in the last two months, you know, I've I've received a lot of pressure regarding this issue. Um, I guess that just kind of comes with
how things go. Uh, but to me, it was disappointing that it was unrelated to the issue. Uh, and then late last night, I got a got a message from um, sorry, it was pretty emotional, but got a message that another one of our kids received
their academic and um, athletic scholarship to Flaggler College. That puts us well over 50 for the year. Spoke to another parent who their child reached a year of off of ADHD medication. And I've been here before talking to you about our mission for
that. Uh so it kind of reinvigorated me on a few hours of sleep to come in here and basically say that you know I know that there's going to be a lot of you know redundant messaging about this gate and it would have been really easy for me to stand in front of you and go I
received a lot of pressure guys. you know, I'm going to remove my objection and our 1600 members objecting to this gate, but I really can't do that because ultimately all of these great things that our mission has done um that has made us very popular, which you're aware
they're going to tell you, you know, that that we have a lot of members and we're managing that the best we can, but uh none of it really matters if they get hit by a construction truck. Just doesn't. So, thank you for your time and uh yeah, good luck today and
you know I know your job is very difficult so thank you for your service. Bye. >> Thank you. Rick Hartman is next followed by Cornelus Boy Pameir. >> Thank you.
>> Good morning. >> Good morning commissioners. My name is Rick Hartman. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you. I want to speak to you on Martin Commerce Park and I wasn't going to come this morning. I've lived in Stuart West for I don't know 20 years, but I had to meet a tractor driver this morning further
west. So, I'm coming back on 714 and one of my fellow residents came out of the neighborhood and it was really kind of scary. So, what I'm really in favor with the Martin Commerce Park is a fire is a fire station out there that
would save us5 $6,000 on our home insurance and a stoplight at least a caution light. I don't know how many people get out on 7:14 early in the morning or late in the evening is horrible. So, a stoplight there that
Ashley Capital or Martin Commerce Park is going to pay for would be a really benefit to us. So, thank you for your time. I hope you approve them. Have a good day. >> Thank you. Cornelus Pameir followed by Benjamin Sharfy.
Good morning, commissioners. My name is Cornelius Primeier. I'm the president of Steuart West PUA. I thank you for the opportunity to respond to statements you have recently heard from four Stewart West residents. I've previously addressed the misinformation that was
disseminated by Miss Trouba. First, all four speakers have not provided you with a shred of evidence. I have six copies here that provide solid evidence of everything I'm uh going to say. Miss Sultan continues to assert that this
board wants to allow chickens in Stewart West. This is false. A message from the president to the community clearly stated that chickens and other barnyard animals are prohibited under our government documents. It has been clearly communicated with stupid west
residents that aligning the PUD with the county is necessary. Despite these written notices, Miss Zultan continues to circulate misinformation. You have been told that the president has been recalled. I'm standing here before you as president of Steuart
Westpa. Mr. Griffin and others challenged the board through three separate recall efforts. All three were dismissed by legal council for failing to meet statutory and procedural requirements. The court will decide on this next year. Mr. Griffin filed a
complaint with the Florida Bar Association against council. That complaint was dismissed. He then filed a second complaint with higherups that was dismissed. And if that was not enough, they he filed another one against an
associate of B and Scarpa that was also dismissed. Mr. Haynes has raised objections to the PUD. The documents I have provided to the commission clearly explain the reason for the PUD alignment. Furthermore, the allegations that the
board was never offered a fee reduction is false. This claim is directly contradicted by the written communication from planner Peter Walden, a copy of which I have included in this review for you. Relevant portions have
been highlighted. The county would surely have refused the preliminary PUD application if it was not necessary. In it was in the meantime approved. John Sinnut would not have sent us an invitation to submit a final
PUD as a next step. Lastly, something is very wrong with many individuals in our community. If I feel compelled to wear a body cam for security reasons, I thank you for your
attention. I wish you happy holidays. I appreciate all you do for Martin County and your services and a happy new year. >> Thank you. Can I leave this here with >> Sure. >> Benjamin Sharie is next followed by
Joshua Miron. >> Good morning everybody. I'm Ben Sharfy. >> Um >> I'm here to speak on behalf of not not necessarily myself or Jacob Community Center. Jacob Community Center is just to the east of Leighton Farm. Leighton
Farm is between uh I mean um Meadow Ron. Um we are between Citrus and Leighton Farm. Uh 8 years ago I started this program called JCC Jacob Community Center. Jacob was my father and his behalf. And the
purpose of Jacob Community Center is to have people like Chris and uh kids that come out of all ages. And we have soccer program, full school programs for uh people and kids, equestrian center, soccer, indoor soccer soon and school
for all ages. In fact, my uh fiance's um uh uh nephew goes to school there. It's a great school. and Chris Cory and Vicki they're doing a great job and we are just to south of them. Uh currently in
Meadow Ron there's something 50 to 70 homes uh over there. I don't know the exact count and all these homes were built with the idea that that gate was closed. There was no traffic. The the traffic that is uh proposed to go there
it's not a good idea and I'll explain the reasons for that. I opened up the road with the uh uh aid of Mr. Krishna and Donaldson to open up the road where it ended all the way to the end of Leighton Farm at the cost of
over $320,000 adding drainage and whatever necessary to open that road for safe use. Leighton Farm Road is not a safe road. is 18 foot wide at the best.
And right now FPNL, if you guys been there lately, they're adding additional uh they're moving their telephone the power lines from the east side from the west side of the road to the east side, making the road even narrower by another 18 to 20 in. Two cars cannot go side by
side without one pulling over. And when you pull over, especially during rainy season, there's a very good chance to going into the ditch. I was one of them. I end up in a ditch and I had to be called to be pulled out because a trailer tractor passed by me. I had no option except go to the side.
Unfortunately, I slid over from 7:14 coming in. There is no traffic light. There is no street lights. There is no divider line. It's a single lane road essentially. There is a at night time is pitch dark. Like if you try to go there 5:00 when I
go pick up my son-in-law, my stepson, when I go pick him up there, it is dark. Very dangerous road. The idea of having tractor trailers to go through that road to get to the backside to uh Meadow Ron
is just not a good idea. >> You need to wrap it up. >> Okay. Uh [clears throat] so there is again no traffic light when the all this if a trailer Charlie tractor comes in accidentally to our street he has to back all the way up because there is no place for them to turn. Your
>> your time is now up >> again. Um there's a lot that say the last thing I want to say is safety safety over convenience and profit. This is about profit making money so that tractor trailers can bring additional load.
>> Your time is up. I'm sorry I must cut you off. >> Joshua Miron is next, followed by Carol Zolton. >> Good morning, commissioners. Good morning, Mr. Donaldson. Miss Elder. Uh my name is Joshua Meyer and I'm general counsel on behalf of the Jacob Community Center and Mr. Sharpie. Um obviously I'm
here relative to the Meadow Runs application to revise its site plan. Uh I just wanted to be clear of our position as you well know because I believe you've received a letter from me is that we believe this is a situation of convenience over safety and and that's okay. The Meadow Run uh residents
would like to have the convenience of having another entrance. Again, that's okay, but not at the expense of what we consider to be safety. The safety is the fact that Mr. uh Sharpie mentioned the streets of Leighton Farms Avenue are not meant for heavy traffic and uh they were
never intended to be so. [snorts] In fact, the original site plan of which they're trying to amend from 20 years ago that was approved by this particular county and presumably approved by the county um staff at that time specifically delineated that there would
be no traffic uh excuse me, no entrance from that community onto Southwest Leighton Farms Avenue. That was done for a reason except for emergency access vehicles. And as you think you well know, there already have an emergency
access gate. It's what we call the north gate. Interestingly enough, it doesn't come up. No one discusses it. I think it's as a result of the fact that the POA's president lives next door and they just don't want to use it. Notwithstanding that, because this is
about safety and not to be uh um uh uh because this is about safety, we want to make it clear from the JCC's perspective, we abs have absolutely no objection whatsoever to allowing that gate to exist for the benefit of first emergency responders and emergency
access use. When the applicant was here the first time before the reharing was granted, they uh carried on about emergency access time and safety. I agree it would reduce the safety. Notwithstanding the fact that they have a gate already that they choose not to
use. To the extent that this board made it the appropriate decision to allow them to open this gate, I would at least ask that it be allowed to open only for emergency access use only. I also want to discuss that Mr. Shary indicated we submitted a video to the
board that that helped try to visualize it was a random video taken by Mr. Shary trying to visualize the amount of traffic and the people that come and go on that on those streets on a day-to-day basis. Obviously, Mr. Corey mentioned there's a school and there's also soccer uh soccer clubs um during the afternoon.
There's an incre incredible amount of traffic and Mr. Sharpie had an opportunity to take a picture of a child walking through the street and unfortunately or fortunately because he was going slow enough uh the child obviously wasn't injured but it also ed it also illustrated the fact that it was
not enough for two-way traffic. 30 seconds if I may. This came up for a re-haring. It was already unanimously denied once. I don't know why it came up for a re-haring but it was championed by Commissioner Vargas and Mr. Campy on a first of your career. Mr. Campy, you
said they had never been done before. It's now coming back up again. I'd ask you to please deny it. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you, sir. >> Carol Zolton is next, followed by Jesse Fulton. >> Good morning, commissioners, and thank you again for the opportunity to speak. My name is Carol Zolton and I'm a
resident of Steuart West, a deedrestricted PUD residential community here in Martin County. Last week, I addressed two topics. the request to deny the proposed PUD amendment to add domesticated animals and the ongoing issue of barnyard animals, specifically
chickens and ducks, being kept in residential zoning despite the county's clear prohibition. You were gracious with your time and today I'm here to focus on one essential followup code enforcement. We currently have a resident in Steuart West who is claiming
to keep emotional support chickens. As an animal lover, I want to be clear. This is not about penalizing in innocent animals. It is about protecting the integrity of our zoning laws and ensuring they cannot be bypassed through improper or nonvalidated ESA claims.
Under the Fair Housing Act, HUD guidance, and Florida law, emotional support animals are limited to traditional household companion species, dogs, cats, rabbits, and similar animals. Poultry, livestock, and barnyard animals, including chickens and
ducks, are not recognized ESAs. ESA status requires documentation from a licensed medical or mental health professional with a legitimate therapeutic relationship with the individual. What does not qualify
includes a certificate purchased online, a form letter from a website without a clinical relationship, a self-declared emotional support chicken, any attempt to use ESA language to circumvent the zoning laws. If code enforcement accepts
documentation that fails to meet HUD, FHA, or Florida statutory requirements, then any resident in any residential zone neighborhood could keep goats, pigs, roosters, duck, or other livestock simply by downloading a document from
the internet that would undermine M Martin County's carefully structured zoning framework and place code enforcement in an unattainable position. Additionally, if someone did have a legitimate ESA, that is a species not permitted under zoning, that situation
would require formal county approval and HOA approval. In Steuart West, to our knowledge, neither has been requested nor granted. So, my two respectful questions today are these. How does Martin County enforcement evaluate ESA
claims when the animal in question is a prohibited barnyard species? And once code enforcement responds to a complaint, what ensures follow through, including removal of non-compliance structures such as coups and fines until prohibited animals are removed? Our
community is simply asking for clarity, consistency, and confidence that Martin County zoning ordinances which protect not only neighborhood character, but also property values and public health cannot be circumvented through improper ESA claims or documentation that does
not meet legal standards. Thank you, commissioners, for your time and for your continued dedication to preserving the integrity and quality of life in Martin County's residential communities. I've given you facts unlike our recalled president.
>> Jesse Falton is next, followed by Darlene Van Riper. >> Good morning, commissioners. Uh, so my name is Jesse Fulton, and I too am speaking today on behalf of Jacob Community Center and the surrounding community. Now, my role is not going to reargue the site plan amendment itself
or the safety issues that were raised by my colleagues, Mr. Sharie and Mr. Myron. Mhm. >> My [clears throat] purpose is to address how we arrived here today and the concerning procedural history that has put us all back in this room. Now, on October 7th, this board held a fully noticed, properly conducted public
hearing. Meto Run, their HOA president, and even their former HOA president were all present. The evidence was presented, the testimony was taken, county staff spoke, the public spoke. And after that
hearing, everything this board every after hearing everything, this board unanimously voted to deny the application. It wasn't split. It wasn't uncertain. It was unanimous. And if you recall, Commissioners Heatherington and Herd, each of you had voiced legitimate
concerns regarding Meadow Run's repeated and purposeful violations of the master site plan and the notices of violations that had been issued at that time. Two weeks later, without notice to the public, without any communication to the surrounding community, without any
factual change in circumstances, Meetto Run suddenly appeared at this meeting on October 27th, fully organized, coordinated, and prepared to lobby for a rehearing. This was not a casual question that they raised at the podium. They arrived with talking points, members in attendance, and a strategy to
undo the denial. Meanwhile, aside from myself and Mr. Cory of the soccer facility. Not a single resident from the surrounding community was present because none of us had any reason to believe that the October 7th decision, which was unanimously rendered, would be up for reversal. And it was only by luck
that we were notified the day before the meeting that this uh that Meadow Run would be appearing before this commission. And yet somehow, despite the absence of new evidence and despite the absence of the applicant's disclosure of their own HOA's leadership's prior participation, the board voted to grant
this rehering. As Mr. Myron stated, Mr. Campy, you stated, this was a first in your career. And Commissioner Vargas, you >> keep your comments to the board as a whole, please. >> Yes, we'll do. And Commissioner uh Vargas, who did not attend the October 7th hearing, did not hear the testimony,
did not participate in the original vote. This process, frankly, has left the surrounding community feeling blindsided, unheard, and wondering [clears throat] why a unanimously denied application gets a second opportunity when nothing material changed. And let me be absolutely clear on one point.
Meet Run's claim that they were unaware of the October 7th meeting is simply not credible. The HOA president was there. Their former HOA president was there. Their legal representatives were involved for months to now rely on we didn't know is not only accurate. It is the misrepresentation of the board and
to this public. At the end of the day, procedural fairness matters. Public trust matters and the integrity of this board's decision matters. A unanimously decided matter should not be undone simply because one applicant is persistent and organized enough to lobby for a second. >> Sir, your time is up. >> Thank you. And we
>> Darlene Van Riper is next, followed by Michael Hullman. >> [clears throat] >> Good morning. Going to give you a break. A completely different subject matter. Um I'm Darlene Van Ryers speaking on behalf of your
75year-old taxpayer watchdog organization, the Martin County Taxpayers Association. The MCTA would respectfully like to make four suggestions for your priority lists for the upcoming years year. First, the
sheriff and the sheriff prior have reported that due to legislative mandates, they need more room to house mentally challenged inmates. A mental health health facility costing at minimum $60 million must be a regional
project. The surrounding counties should be approached with a plan for them to share the responsibility. This is certainly not unheard of. For example, we share the medical examiner regionally. Second, the wild success of the golf
course and cafes has been touted time and again. An indirect cost study of various parks and recre amenities such as these should be performed to determine if they should become enterprise funds.
Third, the CRA program should be retoled toward completion of major infrastructure project projects instead of dealing with the minutia of private businesses and properties. The department has been successful with the
big rejuvenation product projects in Rio Hob Sound and Map Road, but we must be wary of mission creep. And finally, my favorite, the Marty should be phased out and the commission
should enlist proven successful programs such as United Ways and others to facilitate transportation for those in need. In the meantime, limits should be put on the number of trips a rider can take in a day. We don't want this to
become a mobile homeless shelter. Also, there should be a sunset date for this free fair experiment. Otherwise, it will continue to be the boondoggle it has proven to be. These are conversations to be had in 2026.
The Martin County Taxpayers Association looks forward to its ongoing relationship with the commissioners in the new year. Thank you and merry Christmas. >> Thank you. >> Michael Holman is next, followed by
Vincent Dino. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Uh my name is Michael Hullman. I own a business in Martin County. We do a lot of business in Martin County. I also am a resident in Meadows Run. So, I figured I'd come in and give my two cents here.
Um, I'm going to come at you from a little bit of common sense. So, they have 1,600 members in a soccer field that's almost right behind my house. I hear the noise all the time. It's okay. It's a good thing for the community. I I approve of what they're doing. I think
it's great for our We have 91 homes. 40 maybe 50 are built out. We do an average of 10 a year. So 91 resident or 91 homes times two 182 182 cars coming down that road is
somehow going to change everything and half of those people are still going to use the front gate. Half the construction vehicles are still going to use the front gate. So this is going to be a very very minuscule amount of people going down that road. and the the kickback that we're getting for opening
up that gate is just uh beyond me. So, it forced me to come out. You know, I'm a longtime resident in Martin County, pay my taxes, and I I just think it's wrong that we're being uh subjected to that kind of, you know, thing. So, that's it. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you. Vincent Dino is next, followed by Matthew Height. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. So I am here to speak in favor of the rear gate as well. Uh they uh Sharfy
team Sharfy JWCC addresses talks about security often. Um I as a builder I'm a business owner. I live in Meadow Run. I am more than happy to work with JWCC and come up with sincere uh common sense
logical safety options that we can do. We can put speed bumps. We can have um barriers put up so the kids walking out of the soccer stadium or the school are forced to walk off the road. Um there's quite a bit of measures that we could
take to address safety if safety is truly the issue and not trying to be steamrololled by JWCC because they want to own that end of the street. They want to own Martin County. They want to own Leighton Farms Road. We could work together. They're either with us or
against us. We want to work together to make sure it's safe for everybody. Uh Meto Run has a handful of traffic coming out from the back. Uh whether it was construction trucks or resident traffic, again, it's minuscule to the amount of
traffic that they bring in. If they were so concerned about safety, how come they didn't mention, how come they weren't so concerned when they were doing all their construction? I didn't see any cops in the street directing traffic. I didn't see anybody out there helping uh escort
kids. They they plowed their trucks in and out of the development all day long. So where were they concerned about safety then? So I want to work with JWCC and I just because someone has a lot of money that doesn't give them the right to steamroll the county the residents of
Metal Run and that's it. >> Thank you. Matthew Height is next, followed by Carol who are Deetsz. >> Thank you. I'm here to speak on the Metal Run issue yet again. I apologize
for you having to endure this process and the misinformation that gets thrown around here for us. Yes, it's a convenience issue, but it's also a safety issue. It's both. It's a small community. It's a public road. And this
is flexing. This is I paved the road, so I own the road. And you're going to listen to me. That's what this is. There you you're going to get some more information, so I don't have to get into the details of it, but I mean, we did a traffic study for this purpose. I mean,
2,000 cars go up and down that road. How many are we offering to add to that number? And the zoning. I I heard some zoning terms today. Uh this is
AR5. AR5. I know you guys all know what that is. So, in an AR5 zoned area, we have approximately 1,500 cars coming to a soccer stadium.
AR5. So, where are the 1,600 people? They don't live there. There are 13 houses, 13 residents, legitimate residents on Leighton Farms Road.
So, how many are we going to add to this? It's a second gate, not a first. We have young drivers. We have elderly. It's a convenience issue for them. I'd much rather have the kids learn to turn
out into traffic onto Leighton Farms Road than I would Southwest Citrus. It's dangerous. It's a racetrack. The sight lines aren't great. It's dark. So, why are we here? I mean, this seems to
be a whole lot to do about nothing. We have lawyers, money, time spent, letters sent. I mean, we're a small community. We've gone through all the steps that are required. We
follow the rules and it's a public road that we want to share. We don't own the road. We don't claim to own the road. We've gone through the steps. We have approvals. We've done everything we need to do. We don't build things that aren't
permitted. We don't skirt the rules. We don't pay fines in lie of permits. So, I just ask that you take that into consideration and grant a request for the PUD master site plan uh revision. Thank you
very much. Appreciate your time. >> Thank you. Carol Howard Deetsz is next, followed by Bobby Moran. So, I'm here for a happy thing. Okay. Thank you, commissioners. For the record, I'm Carol Howard Deetsz, and I'm wearing two hats this morning. One is the local staff coordinator for Toys for
Tots, and the other is the president and CEO of the United Way of Martin County. I'm here to share a couple really great updates on things that are happening in our community. First, I'd like to invite each of you to stop by the United Way Holiday Project that's happening at the
Martin County Fairgrounds. We're in full setup mode right now getting ready for more than 900 families that are registered to receive toys, stocking stuffers, food, books, balls, and a holiday meal. And yes, you heard, excuse me, yes, you heard me correctly,
registered. That's very important to us. We work with Salvation Army and House of Hope to make sure that we're not helping the same families. That way, we can stretch the limited resources that we have in this community even further and
help more families in need. We can't do this project without supporters and sponsors. And I want to take a moment to speak about one of those sponsors, Ashley Capital. They don't just write a check. They help us and they volunteer and they show up. And this year we're
starting a new literacy initiative right at the holiday project. It's something we're really excited about because it opens doors for children and families in a whole new way. When companies like Ashley Capital invest locally, they're not only supporting programs, they're
investing in stronger families, brighter futures, and a more educated community. With partners like them, United Way is able to help more families and people in our community with the tools that they need to succeed. We're grateful for all of our supporters, but today we just
wanted to give a special thank you to Ashley Capital for their leadership and their continued support of Martin County nonprofits. Thank you. Happy holidays and hope to see you at the fairgrounds to give you a tour. >> Thank you. Bobby Moran is next, followed by Thomas Ellander.
[clears throat] Good morning. I loved her dress. Did you notice this class? Anyway, please allow our neighborhood Meadow Run to use the public country county road, Leighton Farms Road, which we had been using for 20 years. Just recently, JCC decided we
should not use it. I strongly believe that every subdivision should have two entrance and exits, especially with the growth in our area is experiencing. Growth equals more traffic. More traffic equals more accidents that shut down roadways. Also, storms are becoming more
severe, increasing the possibility of fallen trees and debris blocking the road. In fact, the last hurricane, a tornado went through our neighborhood, damaging several homes near our front entrance. What if our entrance had been hit? Also, with the drought conditions
that are becoming more of the norm, fires are a feared. The residents of the subdivision on 714 and I 95 recently experienced the scare of one way in and out as a huge fire was advancing towards them. An alternate route in and out is
imperative. Just like a house, you must have an in and out. Two ways in, two ways out. Granting us permission to use our back gate does not add excessive amount of traffic on Leighton Farm Road. For the many years that we were using the back gate, the traffic that we
created must have been very light, unnoticeable since JCC didn't notice we were using the road since they keep saying we just begun using it. Most of our residents choose to use the front gate as the main entrance exit. As for
these reasons, I stated, I feel two entrance exits are important. PS. If JCC and the soccer facility are so concerned about the children's safety, why isn't there a safe parking lot provided for them? Thank you very
much for your consideration. >> Thank you. Thomas Ellander is next, followed by Clive Campbell. >> Hello, my name is Tom Elander. I'm a native Minnesotan. that. Can you get it in my my slang there? But um and bought
a piece of property in Metal Run two years ago uh with the idea of moving down first as a vacation home and then settling permanently down here. Uh we did our research on the property and
basically the reason that we were interested in the property is we're avid RVers. Okay. So, I had a long discussion with the the former HOA president about access on that back gate because currently we cannot get our motor home
in the front gate without taking down trees and everything else. Uh had an attorney research it too with the former HOA president. Um, it was basically explained to me that as long as it wasn't used on a daily basis,
we could have access back there. And that would be maybe three, four times a year in and out. Okay. Uh, our house was finished in August. Uh, we went through some additional expense adding a big RV
garage on the house and then I come to find out that I might not be able to get my RV in the property. So, this is obviously a big concern of mine uh because of the additional expense that you know that I put into the property
and uh you know as well as some of the safety issues too that some of my neighbors are talking about. So I would just add that, you know, if that gate could get be kept open for the benefit of using you know that back gate for for
those purposes and emergency purposes certainly. Uh I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Clive Campbell is next followed by Tom Pine. [clears throat] >> Good morning. Good morning. My name is
Clive Campbell. I actually live uh in the back part of Meadow Run and I built my house in 2021 through to 2023. And during this construction time uh as the same time the park across the street from Leighton Park was building theirs
and as the back gate was open at that time, they were also building heavy mach bringing in heavy machinery. To date, they are still big and bringing in heavy machinery because it's right in front of me and I see it right there. So yet they're complaining about heavy machinery coming down the road, Leighton
Farms, but yet they're building bringing in heavy machinery. So there's a little contradiction of a glass house here. In addition to that, I agree in reference to the children. And everybody wants safety for the children, but put in a parking lot.
If the if you're going to be zoned for agricultural and have soccer field and have 1,600 people come in there, you got to accommodate it with a parking lot. So, if it's a safe true safety issue, put in a parking lot. They do that with schools. They have school zones. You could actually have we could actually
discuss additional safety terms as um Vincent u mentioned earlier. We're open to that. Um, in addition to that, there was something mentioned in from a typical homeowner that I cannot have a guest into my house unless they go down
Leighton Farm because all the GPS takes them back to that back gate. So, every new guest that I have to my house has to drive to after they go to Leighton Farm entrance because all the GPS's take them back there because my house is towards the back of the development. They have
to drive another four miles just to get to my house. So, it's not only convenience. If it's a safety issue, let's address the safety issue. Is there's only one entrance. I agree with the young lady that uh spoke earlier. You do need a second emergency back
entrance. And also, from a residential homeowner standpoint, it will be nice to have guests come to my house and be able to come the way they normally are supposed to come. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Tom Pine is next, followed by Robert
Burfield. Barfield. >> Morning. >> Uh, good morning, commissioners. My name is Tom Pine. I've [clears throat] been a resident of Martin County for over 50 years. If my photos could stay up while I speak, I would appreciate that greatly. In the spring of 2020, the
Corona virus hit the United States and in just a short time, sitting in seating in restaurants was turned upside down. So, in order to keep their doors open, towns and cities across the country allowed restaurants to use public sidewalks as their own and put tables
and chairs outside. This was accepted practice across the treasure coast. As the virus rained waned along the treasure coast from Hal Sound to Sebastian, the owners of restaurants pulled their chairs and tables off the public sidewalks and business returned
to normal. Except for one community, the downtown Jensen Beach area where local business community still has this to this day totally control of the public sidewalks with their chairs and tables. This can only happen because our
county government had decided that the American with Disabilities Act doesn't apply to downtown Jensen Beach area. So whether you use a cane or a walker or even a wheelchair, you are not welcome in downtown Jensen Beach. There are no
open sidewalks for you to use. But wait, that's not enough to satisfy all the restaurant owners in downtown Jensen Beach. These show photos show one restaurant owner using cones to close off one spark one parking space so his
front entrance is more visible from the road with a readerboard advertising beer, wine, and liquor to go. These cones closing parking spaces on downtown area are quite common on Thursdays starting around 2 to 3:00 p.m. That's
when some of the vendors for Jam and Jensy claimed their spaces. It might be nice to have that kind of power to control parking spaces on a public road with absolute immunity from code enforcement. Is today going to be that day when our
county commissioners discuss the slimy use of the consent agenda in Martin County for the past 20 years? This is why our county taxes go up almost every year. It's not the budget, it's the slam that gets approved behind closed doors. Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you. Uh, Mr. Pine, our camera was not working, so if we could get copies of those pictures, we'll scan them and give them to the board. >> Sorry, Mr. Pine. Robert Barfield is next, followed by Carrie Clemens.
>> Morning, commissioners. Appreciate uh all you do for uh our community, protecting uh our way of life. My name is Robert Barfield, long-term resident, more than 40 years here in Martin County. Uh current resident of Palm City. I'm here in support of uh the Martin County Commerce Park. Uh,
additionally, um, I have the responsibility to help gain, uh, financing for, uh, businesses as I am in the financial industry. Many of, uh, the companies that come to my office are looking for expansion and
places to go and currently there's no industrial space in Martin County for them to go and expand. Uh we know that uh companies that want to expand are vital to uh the success of our community long-term both industrial uh business owners and office without places for
them to go potentially for them to leave therefore losing taxpayer revenue. Um Martin County Commerce Park will provide up to 1.1 million square feet of class A uh industrial space which is needed here in the community. The park is ideally located in western Martin County. uh
easy access uh to I95 uh and the turn park turnpike and therefore does not need to come through you know the main part of Martin County and others. Uh the park will not only spark economic growth in the region but is expected to generate millions of dollars in a uh in
annual revenue uh to Martin County through uh advorum property tax and tangible personal property tax. Additionally, I think it's vitally important for us when we're looking at developers to pick the right developers. There's merchant builders. Those
builders typically will develop, sell the properties off. There's also long-term developers that will develop properties and hold them. They typically will provide a better product, construction cost, materials, uh they will want better quality because their
long-term view uh is a longer term horizon and a better return for them. If you look at Ashley Capital, they have had significant experience in building long-term projects, long-term whole projects. Do they generally do not sell their projects, so they have tremendous
amount of investment in that. I would say Ashley Capital, Rick, I've met Rick many times. Um, you know, he knows what he's doing in these developments, has a long-term view. He will have significant dollars, millions of dollars invested before he generates dollar one of
revenue. this type of developer, the ones that we want here in Martin County. Carol talked about uh Ashley Capitol, uh Jill Moraso, Ryan, and Rick uh being involved in the community. I would tell you I'm at numerous community uh events both here in Martin County and on the
Treasure Coast. There's never been a time that I haven't been there that one of these individuals is there, not only in person, but in but investing dollars. So, those are the type of developers that we want here in Martin County. So, I think the park is built going to be built in the right place. I think it
helps us uh with continuity to evolve businesses that want to grow and stay here in Martin County. And so, I think this is a great project for us to have here in Martin County. Appreciate your time. >> Thank you. Carrie Clemens is next,
followed by Craig Clemens. >> Morning. >> Morning. >> I'm here on Meadow Run and >> the mic down a little bit. here for Meadow Run. Um JCC Community Center, like my other neighbors said,
they have construction equipment coming into their back gate area. If they were so concerned about safety for the children, they would build a parking lot. There is no parking lot. There is nothing for the kids. They just come out. All the cars for the parents
are parking everywhere. Um, I just wanted to say that most communities do have a front and rear gate for safety. Um, and that's all I need to say. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Craig Clemens is next, followed by Henry Bush. >> I'm my time to the president of the association. So, she has a little more time. Can't do that. >> Can't do that. But >> can't do that. Okay. >> I agree with my wife. Um we definitely
need a back gate. The back gate was there when we bought the property. We thought the back gate went with the association. Um it's been there for 20 years. It's been open for 20 years. There's heavy trucks going in and out that road every
day even though our gates closed. We're our house is under construction. We've had a lot of trouble with the trucks trying to come in the front gate, tearing up the front gate, tearing up the trees. Um, getting trusses in was almost impossible.
Um, as a safety issue, I agree. It's wonderful that those kids get to play soccer out there, but there's no parking lot for them. The cars are parked in the street. The kids are walking in the street in between the cars. Somebody's going to get hurt there by us or
somebody else. They need to do something about it. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Gerald Keel is next, followed by Ken Haynes. >> Call somebody else. >> Gerald Gerald Keel. >> We had somebody before.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Henry. Okay. Henry Bush. Okay. Please come forward. Followed by Gerald Keel. Good morning. Morning. You may have guessed my name is Henry Bush. Um my wife and I early in 2025 discovered this wonderful community that a lot of you
have called home for a long time and we ended up purchasing home in Steuart West on May the 1st of 25. Um we sort of escaped out of Miami Beach where I have a general construction company. I've done that my entire life. developed a
lot of properties uh in Miami, Miami date county over the last 30 years and just wanted to kind of give a slightly maybe fresher perspective of what we've discovered moving into the community. Uh the discourse about this item be before
you all for the PUD is seems to be very motivated by a slight minority group of people that um unfortunately I think may have been less than truthful when someone was standing here just a little while ago declaring themselves president. We there's been a recall
three actually and um as a developer I've created a lot of associations. I've sat on a lot of boards. I've seen all the documentation for this recall. It is it is it's clear that this recall will stand. It's just they've chosen to go down legal path. Um it gets heard in
January. So I guess the request is if possibly not to move on this issue one way or the other. I think it will come very clear uh in early 2026 of the fact of what I'm saying that that the people representing themselves as the decision
makers are not actually decision makers. I think it's very very clear. Thank you. >> Thank you. Gerald Keeel is next followed by Ken Haynes. Good morning everyone [cough] and thank you for your [clears throat] time. My name is Gerald Keeft and I'm
speaking today regarding Steuart West. I've lived in Steuart West since 2003 and recently written all of you and met with a few of you personally um or regarding the PUD change. I'm compelled today to speak because there's a lot of information regarding the PUD
change within our community and all the misinformation around it. Um the change is not desired by a majority of the community members. The board members pushing it are misleading the community on the reasons for the change. The board members pushing it have been recalled or
[clears throat] illegitimately appointed. The law firm representing the HOA on the PUD change has been fired by the true board. In preparing for this meeting, I thought long and hard about how I could convey what has happened in our community over the last nine months in three minutes. Since there's not enough time to go over all the details,
I found it more helpful to explain what has happened and the small group behind it. Furthermore, Commissioner Campy and County Attorney Lee Elders have seen a majority of these false claims and they know the truth. I encourage you all to reach out to them for additional information. So, how did we get here? As I mentioned, I've lived in this
community since 2003 and is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. As with all HOAs, there have been disagreements here and there, but I've never witnessed what has happened in our community [clears throat] since a small group representing a tiny fraction of our community gained a control of the board with a 4-3 majority. This group has been
pushing to expand the animals currently allowed in the neighborhood from equestrian animals, currently horses, donkeys, and zebras and their offspring to farm [clears throat] animals such as chicken, goats, cows, pigs, and etc. Almost immediately following the election, the newly elected majority of the board fired the HOA's legal council
and and replaced it with one that appears to be working for them, not in the interest of the whole community. While they will deny this, I have a plethora of in written information. Shortly thereafter, they decided to allow chickens in the neighborhood based on an informal pet petition which is not
allowed per our governing documents or our PUD. That upset a number of residents who reached out to the county and it was determined that chickens and other barnyard animals are not allowing not allowed according to our PUD in addition to our government documents. That is when the false narrative began stating we need to change the PUD or the
horses, donkeys or other equin animals could be reordered or removed by the county. Those statements were supposedly made by county attorney Elise Elders. I reached out to her directly. Those statements are untrue. There were other false statements claiming that that we were informed by
the county that our POD needed to change to align with county rules. These statements are also untrue. I have this in writing or you can talk to yourself. When the community got wind of these events, a recall effort was initiated to recall these board members. while enough votes were collected to certify the
recall. It wasn't certified by the board majority or the HOA attorney. The outcome of the recall is now in the courts. In a nutshell, our community has been seized by a small group with a hidden agenda working for a small group of residents have continued to break the rules. While they claim this is to bring clarity and protect the equin animals,
their actions speak otherwise. Their trick is to change the animals allowed from stable animals to domesticated animals. >> Sir, your time is up. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Ken Haynes is next, followed by Ted John. And Mr. John is the last request to speak form I that I have. If
you would like to address us, please fill out one of these forms, get it to the baiff. >> Good morning, commissioners. Um, I hope I [clears throat] do this properly today. I just got out of the hospital, so I'm not at my best. Two things. One,
I want to praise Ashley Capital uh for the public benefit portion of uh their proposed uh change here today of a new traffic light which we desperately need and also the land donated for a future
firehouse which we also desperately need. I think uh most companies would never go to that extent uh to help the the surrounding community with public benefit. Uh the other reason I'm here today, and I hate to do both because I can't really
speak enough to each. Uh the Steuart West, this uh pre-application for a PUD change to allow domesticated animals, which I spoke last week, that is the Trojan horse. The board that has been hijacked, as many
have spoken, the other members that hijacked the board, they refused to take that out. So that's definitely their avenue, their vehicle to down the road allow other animals broad the term going into chickens, barnyard animals, turning
our community into a farm community. And that's what all of we most of us did not move here for that. We have over 27 people, my count may be off here today, that do not support this PUD change. I think that's strong. I don't think you
often get that many people. They had one person uh Cornelius Pameer who used my name and others uh with misinformation again. um some other members that spoke a couple weeks ago, they slandered them
on Facebook uh with misinformation as well as basically slandering our county attorney uh with saying that the ruling about that the currently our zoning our PUD does not allow chickens was
uh I don't I don't remember the exact words but poorly conceived and poorly ruled upon. I can get those. I believe me, I'll have those exact words the next time I speak. They also made mention for sure that Mr. Ed Campy had offered them
a a discount since uh because of this unfortunate situation, inferring that it was the county's fault that this all came about. There's no fault by the county here. And I think if I was in the county's position, I would be really
upset that they're using uh twisting the words to fit their narrative. Uh this has gone on and on. It is going to go into the court. Mr. Pameer has been recalled. We had tried to cure it. Their
rogue attorney just asks for four people of the board, not the whole board. So it's a big mess and it's our problem. but really speak here today. I would hope that you defend the position on what you've already told us about. Your time is up. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you for letting
me speak. >> Thank you. Ted Johnson is next and Mr. Johnson is the last request to speak for him. I have >> morning. Good morning, commissioners. >> Morning. >> Uh my name is Ted Johnzac. I live in Hope Sound. I've been a resident of Hope
Sound since 1986. And I'm here to talk about the uh comprehensive planning staff report regarding the Oasis site uh remediation rehabilitation project. About two months
ago, uh we were notified unexpectedly by a formal notification with a sign that the property uh which was once owned by the Carnation Nursery Farms was being looked at as a brownfield cleanup site.
Now, couple things come to mind. Uh the nursery sold originally probably seven or eight years ago. Uh why wasn't that site looked at and tested at that
time? And why weren't we notified there was possible contamination? Now, in this report, there are several things that are concerning to the residents. My property
backs up to this site. Okay. And as I mentioned, what was the date the site contamination first was first detected and reported by the FTP D to Martin County. Uh why were the surrounding neighborhoods not notified of this
contamination? The report referenced three contaminants on page two. Uh the eldrren, alpha BHC, and arsenic. Two of these are known carcinogens. I looked them up myself and
you know so there's first of all they're looking to clean up the site as a brownfield site. We've met with the attorneys representing the developer and we're all for that site being cleaned up
and developed uh as long as it conforms obviously to the standards that we have off Gomez Avenue for the residential communities. But I'm looking beyond that. Okay. There are several people in our street
that have had cancer. Me being one of them. Okay. And who knows, you know, how long that site's been contaminated. Now, I did send a notification in in November of last year, and I I asked a question
of one of the people in the uh environmental planning department, you know, how long have you known? Well, we don't have that information. And I'm thinking, here you are in the environmental planning group that should be totally on top of something like
this. and there's no information that you can provide, you know, a resident and, you know, somebody that's living right adjacent to that site. So, I think the development is a good idea.
Uh, we definitely want to see what the plans are as far as >> Sir, your time is up. >> Recently with the information sent out, one of the con concerns is going to be multiple sir elevations. >> Sir, your time is up. Thank you. >> Okay. I appreciate you looking into
this, especially the uh the contamination and what can be done and why weren't we notified. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Okay, let's take up uh uh department 4,
shall we? >> Because we have a lot of people here. >> Would you like to approve the consent agenda? >> Uh sure. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Move approval. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously.
Now, let's take up department 4, which is a discussion on Steuart West planned unit development. Uh, Miss Elder. >> Yes. Good morning, commissioners. So, on December 2nd, the board asked to bring an agenda item up to talk about Steuart
West. There's been a lot of written public comment and verbal public comment at the commission meetings. So, we are here today at the board's request. Just to give you a little bit of background, the Steuart West plan unit development was approved [clears throat] in 1978 and the first final site plan was
approved in 1980. So, in the summer of 2025, a group of residents reached out to the county to determine whether or not chickens were permitted in Steuart West. Um, and in an effort to prevent code enforcement proceedings, we looked into that issue and it was determined
based on our land development regulations and the Steuart West plan unit development agreement that chickens were not permitted in Steuart West the only animals besides household pets that were permitted were stabled animals,
horses, and things like that, equin animals. So, we told Steuart West that um provided that information to a number of residents. Um, so since that time there's been a lot of back and forth, a lot of public comment from different fashions of the community. So that's
kind of where we are today. Um, I'm happy to provide more information if you want, but that's where we are. There has been a pre-application meeting um, submitted by the board of the Steuart West Properties Owners Association to change the PUD agreement to amend the
type of animals that are permitted. And I think you heard that they're providing that they allow domesticated animals. I think staff staff had some feedback on that term because it's not defined in our code and it would create ambiguity. But as of today, there has been no
application for a PUB amendment. So there's nothing pending in growth management right now to amend the PUD agreement. So that's where we stand. >> Okay. Commissioner Campy. >> Thank you very much. It seems like it's Palm City Day uh at the commission
meeting. Um I was one of the folks that asked this item be brought up today simply because uh of the strife that is caused in the neighborhood. I think all five of us have received a tremendous amount of emails and the fracture in the community is is
disappointing, not surprising because plenty of HOA neighborhoods have uh have serious issues that they're battling back and forth in. uh this particular one um I wanted to ask Paul Schilling who's the head of our growth management
department in regards to I did receive emails and and heard people saying that I personally had offered up a discount um which obviously I don't have the authority or the power to offer up discounts uh but that doesn't mean that there's
not a discount structure in place and if Mr. Schilling, who I did ask when I first heard about that, if you could explain how the possibility of a discount is even a thing. >> Sure. The Well, first of all, the word discount is not mentioned in the fee
schedule. Uh staff's position on this application, should it come forward, would be an administrative amendment to the PUD. So, that fee is 3,850 for the application fee. an application fee for
a PUD revised site plan uh would be 13,800. So my position on it was because of what what is involved um namely the growth management department and the county attorney's office. It doesn't involve 12 to 15 divisions, construction
plans, traffic impact, landscaping pamps, all of the other things that would be facilitated or reviewed within an actual application. It's text and a PUD. >> Okay. So I guess that's an important distinction.
It could have been the high level review of every department in the county, which would have been had a price tag of approximately $13,000, but our growth management director's opinion was that it was a much smaller scale, thus making it about $3,800.
That's not a discount. That's just the fee structure based on how the situation was going to work. Um, I read all of your emails. I know my colleagues do as well. They were articulate. They were uh passionate. There were some um for the
idea of changing. I would tell you from my calculations a majority a vast majority of them were for not changing it. Uh I think and my colleagues I would assume would agree. We don't get involved in HOA private HOA
decision making and things like that. That's I know it seems the logical choice like hey if we can't make our decision within the neighborhood let's go to the county and let them make the decision. Our legal department uh can offer sometimes suggestions or clarifications but they work for the
taxpayers and the commission and the staff. They do not represent individuals on one side of an issue either in an HOA or just in a neighborhood without an HOA. So, with that being said, I thought the most logical I don't know, especially
since what you just heard Miss Elder say, there is no application submitted to the county at this time. Today's agenda item is not to discuss the fact that there's no application or
to discuss what the application might be. It's purely so that we can hopefully knock down the the desire uh and the the need the the sense of need that the residents have to drive out from your
lives uh in Steuart West uh and Cobblestone to come out here every commission meeting to make public comment. It's perfectly your prerogative, but I think it was starting to boil up to a point where the misinformation or
the flood of information was starting to create more of a problem not only for the residents of the neighborhood, but for the staff because we have a lot of things that do have applications and and for my colleagues. We received tremendous amounts of emails and
information which is our job but it felt to me personally as your district commissioner that it was getting out of hand that it was like getting so far away from what's happening. So the point here today is there is no application. So there is nothing for us and correct me if I'm wrong elder there's nothing
for the five of us to even vote on. If there was an application it would have to go through the process. So, it wouldn't be something that would come up until probably the middle of next year. Anyway, I thought the most um not the most, but
one of the important points that I heard was the gentleman that spoke right at the end. If the neighborhood is going through the expense on both sides of the issue of hiring legal professionals to um to
debate this in a court of law and it's going to potentially come up in January, then my recommendation as a lay person, not a lawyer, would be let that let that happen. I was the president of my HOA for eight
years. Um I get it. It's a tough It's tough to be on the HOA. It's tough. We've had the same kind of situations where um certain people ran for positions because they had a certain point of view and and others didn't.
It's a neighborhood that's divided and I'm sad that that's the case because I know a lot of wonderful people live in that neighborhood. Uh and it's a beautiful neighborhood and I think none of you are interested in having this constantly progress. So the person that can make the decision on if it is a
legitimate board, the positions are are filled legitimately is a judge. And from what we've heard today and what I've heard in the past is you're on your way to doing that. The expense of doing that on both sides has already been born. So
my my opinion would be see what January or February takes place. Maybe this point is moot where uh the board is reconfigured in a way that is to the wishes of a majority of the neighbors which is what every board is supposed to
be. Um and that would be my sake as the district commissioner. I'm sure my colleagues can opine but as of today we're not in any type of position to be offering up yes we will do it or no we won't because it has not
even officially happened. And I think if it's this is the issue about barnyard animals, if the board is is um put together in such a way that there's a lot of strife and ill will, it won't
just be this issue. It there'll be the next issue and the next issue. So I think as we do everywhere, let the uh voters of your neighborhood decide who should and should not be representing you. That would be my
suggestion. >> Okay. Well, I think that we've made our position clear. Um, so we are going to uh take a break and we're going to come back at 10:30 for our 10:30 preset, which is the parks and recreation master plan. Following that presentation, we
will immediately take up the meadow run uh agenda item. Okay. How long is the break? I'm record. >> We are returning and we're going to
briefly take up commissioner comments before we do the uh parks and recreation uh master plan. Commissioner Vargas. >> Yeah. Uh so there were parades, parades, and parades last week and other activities too. Uh but last Tuesday, uh
Jensen Beach Chamber hosted a Taste of Jensen and it was an overwhelming success. It was a soldout event with over 600 enjoying the evening before lighting the 38 foot Christmas tree. Uh our Jensen Beach High School
award-winning chorus, Yub Latte, which is Greek for sing for joy, sing with joy, set the tone for the holiday celebration. We heard stories about how Christmas trees were originally developed as symbols uh for this time of year beginning in the 1800s overseas and
here in the US where today they're decorated and shown off around the world. Everyone enjoyed live bands. The restaurants showed off their food samplings and new friendships were made and familiar faces reacquainted. So next year we welcome many more to share in
this wonderful evening. The other thing I'd like to request is uh to look into a comment that was made by one of our um citizens about downtown Jensen Beach and the sidewalk that are difficult to
walk past. Some of these restaurants, they have tables, they have chairs, they have uh cheeky uh umbrellas. Uh and I I would like to have uh this looked into, Mr. Donaldson. Would this be uh building and zoning or how can we look into this
because it seems to be one restaurant tour in particular that is you know taking up this this particular activity. So and we want we want it to be accessible for ADA also. That's critical. So, I'll review this with our CRA staff and um and code enforcement on
uh issues related to the use of, you know, there is the generous use of sidewalks for businesses to use so long as they don't infringe upon the public's ability to ingress and egress. So, we'll we will review that with staff and report back to you on the
the rules that that are in place to deal with these issues. I >> I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Follow up, too. Well, it was a busy weekend and lots of fun. Three parades, Stewart, Hopetown,
and Indian Town. I went to all of them. You know, the tradition in Hopestown is to walk the parade for the commissioners. Anyway, [snorts] and and then we rode the old fire truck for the other two and it was lots of fun. One
thing that really struck me about the parades was the attendance was fantastic, but also looking in the faces of all those little kids. Uh it made me think about their their dreams and their potential and I was quite moved by that.
Uh lastly, Sunday evening, we went to the Hobound singing Christmas tree which is always an amazing uh production for our community hosted by Hobound Ministries. It was just fantastic. And if you've never been, uh, try to make it
next year. >> It was very good. I went, too. >> Another holiday event that happened um on Sunday was the annual woman's club holiday home tour. And there are six or seven homes that are featured each year.
And it's just extraordinary that that uh residents open up their houses to allow 500 people to trapes through them and touch all their stuff and admire all their things. A and it's it's wonderful
that people that that they can con people into opening their houses each year to do this. So it's it's not just a way to snoop around your neighbors houses. They raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year and they're given
to scholarships. So, it's a really really worthy event and we thank always our um hosts, the people who open up their houses. It's a wonderfully generous thing to do. Commissioner Campy, >> thank you. I thought it was Parks and
Recck Director Kevin Bate opened up his home. Was beautiful. Really well done. You're welcome. [laughter] >> There's another county. Um, thank you. Uh, continuing on with the festive time of year that we're in
Palm City, we're having a another uh, music in the park. It is this Saturday, December 13th from 6:00 to 8 on Map Road, which is uh, at Patio at Palm City Place. It is uh, just north of
the station 21 fire station. Um, it's starting to really uh turn into a remarkably great event. It's uh we're having this time we're having dueling pianos with a holiday sing along. There'll be food trucks, beverage trucks, ice cream trucks. Uh this one
truck comes, they make fresh donuts if you haven't had a donut right out of the right out of the oil. And so it's a great time for uh anyone that lives anywhere in the county or wants to come. It's not exclusively obviously a Palm City event. Uh there's grandchildren and
grandparents and we've get a lot of positive feedback that it's really what we were hoping that that park um in Palm City would become. And so I invite you all to come this Saturday uh the 13th from 6:00 to 8 for dueling pianos at the
patio. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Commissioner Heatherington. Following on the festivities, we had a great weekend of all of the um mentioned uh events, parades, and I always say that Martin County is the best place to live in the country because of its
people, its residents, um both long-term residents and short-term residents. And I think that was really evident this weekend in all the parades and festivities, the volunteerism for the Toys for Tots and all these events, the
the magnitude of the the women's club putting together um that with all the volunteers and Mr. Kipinger matching some of the scholarship funds. So again, that's that's why we love Martin County. That's certainly why I love Martin
County because we have the best people in all of 67 counties. So, merry Christmas everyone, >> Mr. Donaldson. >> And uh just following up on that, there's nothing like the Gertard Walden School to come in this morning and and
purge the remaining Grinch and me out so I can [laughter] So, I really appreciate that. Thank you. And uh merry Christmas everybody, >> Miss Elder. Excellent. Mr. Abate. >> Good morning. Uh, I'm Kevin Abbate,
parks and recreation director, Martin County, and to my right is Mr. Art Thatcher from the firm Barry Dunn. He will be presenting our update for our park, our parks and recreation master plan. Um, uh, chapter 7 of the recreation element of the comprehensive
plan requires that we update our plan every 10 years. Um, we are right on time. Our plan was adopted by this uh by the board in 2016 and will technically expire uh at the end of this year and then if the plan is adopted today we
will um move to the next 10-year plan. The overview that will be presented today is a very high level overview of the 78 page plan. Um our focus um and direction to Barry Dunn was to make um focus groups stakeholder input input as
our top priority and that's what we did. The parks and recreation master plan is also a requirement of our accreditation process through the national recreation and parks association. Right now, we're one of 27 agencies in Florida um that
are accredited by the NRPA, uh National Recreation and Parks Association, and um one of one of the few of the 10,000 publicly funded agencies in the US. There's probably 200 that are accredited, and this is a very important uh part of the process. Um
[clears throat] what before I get started with Mr. Thatcher, I wanted to just kind of tell you the groups that we that participated in the plan. Uh we did have a lot of focus uh groups. Uh specifically, we had a a dedicated meetings with our parks and recreation
advisory board, a dedicated focus group meeting with them. All of our 12 youth sports provider groups had focus group meetings. That's your soccer, football, lacrosse, baseball, etc. Our sailfish splash waterpark user groups, synchronized swimming, and the various groups. and um some groups that are
there, Children's Service Council representatives, UF extension and 4 coordinator, Palm City Chamber of Commerce representatives, Play Treasure Coast, the Sports Commission representatives, Children's Museums of the Treasure Coast representatives, US Sailing Center, Friends of Mount
Elizabeth, the Historic New Monrovia Schoolhouse, Ry Civic Club, parents of all three afterchool programs in the county, the Long Cabin Senior Program, Indian Riverside, Indian Riverside Park um approved vendor representatives and
then 106 other residents who responded to email invites uh focus groups were conducted with each uh commission district and of course um our leadership and you all the elected officials. So I'm going to turn over to Mr. Thatcher to go over this short presentation of
our 78page plan and then of course we can ask you any questions you may ask. I'll be here. So >> I I'd like him to read it. page one. >> Turn this on. >> Uh, I think you just got >> Oh, thank you. Um, thank you, Kevin. Um,
chair, vice chair, um, commissioners, county administrator, thank you for the opportunity to come and, um, and address you today and give you an update on the, um, on the progress on the master plan. And so, um, you can see this is our kind of the we we do a five-phase approach to
the master planning process. Um we do data collection where and um and then we do extensive engagement analysis of of the data and the and that um and the engagement and then we develop an action
plan and then um de develop the draft and the and the final plan. And then we're here today for this final step of um of adoption of the master plan. And so this is our mixed method approach to um to public engagement. And uh we we
look to engage as many members of the community as Kevin noted. Um you know we we did an extensive um approach to it and we use a mixed method. We don't just do focus groups. We don't just do surveys. Um we do a variety of of those
activities. We did a statistically valid mailed survey that I'll talk a little bit about later. We did an online um engagement using social pinpoint. We did do focus groups and public workshops and meetings, held stakeholder interviews as
well as uh leadership interviews and then we used a lot of the social media and um and and other forms to engage the community. So, our inperson public um participation, we had um 31 staff
members, 156 um community members um were engaged in our focus groups, did leadership interviews, and then our public workshops. We had another 186 people that um that participated in those. We did the we did um at least one
meeting in every one of the the commission districts as well as um at some of the the larger attractions. So we our online um platform that we use is social pinpoint which is a um it's an
engagement tool that we that we use. It translates into multiple languages and provides an opportunity for um citizens to be involved in the process to have an active engagement as well as to see what other members of the community are um
are saying. We had um o over 3,700 site visits. We had a little over 1,800 individuals that participated in the in the site that were users. Um, we have a we had an ideas wall on there where um,
citizens could put up ideas and then similar to Facebook. Other users could thumb up or thumb down, add comments to them, we did a a budget priority page on there where we had a list of projects and we gave the the users $200 and they
could devote that money to any of those projects, breaking it up in $5 increments. So, it's a it's another way of prioritizing without necessarily ranking one, two, three. Um, and then we had an open forum where people could um could drop a pin on a map and make
comments about um you know, I use this park on a regular basis. We could use um you know, restroom, you know, cleaning here on a on a little bit more regular basis. Some of those those type things. So, and again, you could the other users could thumb up and thumb down that. So
very very active um site. We also use um another tool called Placer AI which uses um cell phone pings to um to look at visitation data, visitors and frequency of visitors. This is just a sample of um
of the sites. We did uh we did five sites as as part of the project. Um and so you can see as you look at um at visits, you know, um Jensen Beach has the highest in a in an annual of um 5
5,830 visits. We also look at individual visitors. So um we can we can ping those um those cell phone numbers and then hold them out. And then also we look at um visitation frequency. So of those 245
individual visitors, they each come a little almost two and a half times um during the during the process. >> Those are 245,000 >> thousand. Yes. >> And so the other thing that it does is it it allows us to look at where visitor
orient where their origination is. And so as you look at this heat map, you can see that um that for um how patio and for sailfish, you can see you are a statewide attraction that um that you do
have individuals coming from up and down the coast to um to visit the park on a on a regular basis. So then we also did um a a mailed statistically valid survey. We mailed 3,000 surveys out randomly to the
community. Um, our goal was to get 400 surveys back. We got 425 and so our confidence rate was um was 95% so plus or minus 5% in the in the confidence rate. Couple of the things that we do with the
survey. Um, as we asked a series of questions as we developed the survey, we used all the information that we gathered from our in-person engagement. So, the themes that came out of that, we validated those through this survey. And
um, and so two of the things that we do, we do a what we call our top priority investment rating. And what that does is one of the questions that we ask is um what is your top priority from this list of facilities? And then are those are
those needs being met? And so as you look at the priority rating, the the top highest priority are those things that were a high priority with a low need being met. And so the low priority are not necessarily things that the
community doesn't want, but it is a a high priority rating and a high need being met. So it's not as critical as those that the need is not being met. So these are um these are for facilities and amenities and um you can see trails
um small neighborhood parks um accessibility to beaches, beach parks and dog parks, you know, being in in some of the the the top high priorities. We also did the same thing for programs and activities and um same thing with
the high priority, low need being met, special events um being the top one. you guys do a ton of special events. Um, but I can tell you every community that I work in, special events are the number one thing, especially since since COVID,
because it's a it's an activity that the community can can go to. It doesn't necessarily have to be a a scheduled program. They can drop in and drop out. A lot of the series um, you know, really speak to that. Your, you know, your music series, your concert series, and
those things. And so, um, we also did a park assessment. When we did the original, um, master plan, we went to every one of your parks, your trail heads. We, um, we did an assessment, we did an inventory of those. We developed a GIS mapping for
them and we provided those to, um, to the department. Um, the department has done a fabulous job of keeping that current. as you've made um as you've made improvements to those facilities, as you've added components to those facilities, they've updated that
inventory and that assessment. And so what we decided to do is to take a sample of 14 of your facilities and go and look at those out of the out of your 73. And so they're being very wellmaintained and um and they're great
features as you saw from Placer AI. They're great attractors not only for the for the county, but for the the state of Florida. And um your beaches are um are wellused. They're um unlike many communities that I work in, they're
free to the public. And um and so they uh the number of visitors is uh is very high. And so from there we um we held a findings and a visioning session with the with the staff and then with um with
the project team and we developed four goals out of the out of the data that we collected and um we did goals and objectives and then also we developed an action plan for each of those actions for each of the objectives. I don't have
the the actions on here. They are in the full master plan. And so the first goal was to maintain and invest in existing and new facilities. And um the department has done a very good job of maintaining your existing facilities,
investing in upgrades, investing in new facilities as um as they need to be. Um, so maintaining your existing facilities, um, parks, trails, beaches, open space, adding new facilities based on community input, expanding your open space and
parks, continuing to preserve the the open space that's available within the county, um, exploring opportunities to add trails um, for walking and for biking, developing um, additional outdoor recreation facilities and amenities, and then addressing your
current and future needs for athletic courts and fields. Oops. And so our second goal was to improve and enhance your programming and your service delivery. And so enhancing your special event programming was uh was the number one objective. Again, not
something that the department has to do all on its own, but working with um community groups and those things to uh to increase u special events, utilizing technology to improve customer service and efficiency, continuing to grow your
your programs and services accessible to all citizens. um continuing to address recreation programs and activities um based on the needs of the community and then exploring opportunities for those non-traditional recreation um
non-traditional recreation as well as um serving as a primary gateway to um to citizens and visitors to to accept to act to to have access to those. And so the third goal was to continue to improve your organizational efficiency
through maintaining your existing level of service goals, maintaining your existing quality standards, continuing to be good stewards of the natural environment, staffing appropriately to meet the current demand and to maintain your established quality of service,
maintaining and keeping current with your standards of operations and your policies. And then increasing your appropriate partnerships within the community. And then finally was to reduce your operating your operational subsidies and
to expand on your capital funding. The department has done a fabulous job with its um cost recovery programs, its revenues and um and reducing your the subsidies. And so, um, really looking at exploring additional funding opportunities through the pursuit of
grants and other means, continuing your current cost recovery and revenue generating practices, and then to partner with other service providers where possible to develop programs, services, and facilities. And so, um, it was kind of a quick run
through of, um, of of the top pieces of the of the master plan, and I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have. One of the things to mention is that we we started we issued the purchase order on this process two years ago and so we're here so about it was about a
two-year process all in. So um it's been a big undertaking by the entire team over the last two years and all the stakeholders to develop the plan and Art worked with me on the last master plan and the current master plan has done a great job and so any questions that you have going forward specific to the plan
that we can answer for you. We're here >> questions. Commissioner Caps, [clears throat] >> I would just like to say how much I appreciate the effort that you made to reach out to our community and to get
the pulse and the input of the community. That was incredibly impressive to hear all that you did to hear from our residents. >> Thank you. >> And uh very very good. And then another thing that kind of struck me is on page
811, goal number four, reduce operational subsidy and expand capital funding. And I thought I'd uh give Mr. Abate an opportunity to explain to us how that is a priority in our parks department. And I've always been very
impressed at uh how much revenue some of our operations bring in to help uh neutralize the cost of operation. >> Yeah. So each for the last three years um the parks department spends about
$17.5 million for everything that we do. All 74 parks and beaches. So you have your, you know, things that are free, the beaches, the causeways, all the other um open space that we have, senior programs, after school programs. Those are all things that we
boat ramps that we don't collect revenue on necessarily, but we maintain every day with all the restrooms. So what we've focused on over really the last 10 years is to create this uh offset, if you will, to reduce the overall tax burden. So right now we've over the last
three years we're we generate about 53% of our revenue on its overall budget. So we we the tax subsidy is about 47% right now over the last three years on average. So at when you look at that across the entire country um most of the
most of the parks departments actually the average um their subsidies for their programs similar are around 75% taxf funded. So, we're at about 47% now, but our goal is has been to provide those services for the community based on
everything that is in the current plan, but also to try to lower our our our operating costs and charge fees were appropriate. You know, we we as as Art said, we have free beaches and, you know, free boat ramps and all those things that are are very very expensive.
So, we do a really nice job, the team does on on cost recovery goals. And so it's a very brave cost recovery goal having um 53% of the revenue cover most of your um of your um your facilities. So if you had a $20 million park system,
you can argue that you're paying, you know, um 7 million for it, right? Or the cost recover, whatever the math is. So but we've that's probably the wrong math, but anyway. So um [laughter] so >> 53% of be like 10 million. >> Yeah. So so more than half. So for us
it's been a a big focus and the other thing uh these are the where the revenue comes in it comes in a lot of different places other than the obvious golf course water park cafes beaches it comes in recreation program pavilion fees across the gamut of services right and
so the all those little nickels equal dollars over time and as we invest in a in a like the golf course for example like this year we had a $415,000 increase over last year so we're you know and that's a it's a nice it's a nice kind of accomplishment over the
years. So every but we have the investment part of goal one is maintain and invest in these new facilities but also your existing ones are more importantly and we primarily do that through our program because if you keep them looking good people continue to come. So, it's kind of a a broad look at
what we do, but in terms of the as we benchmark ourselves against like counties, we're we're light years ahead of them in terms of these this subsidies program and and it's really the team has done all the all the the hard work to make this happen. Um, but it is it is
it's an impressive number when you really dive down and look at it in terms of all that we offer for the entire park system. >> Great. Thank you, >> Commissioner Vargas. >> Yeah. Um, I have toured a number of the parks and they're great. I'm a Florida native, so I know what parks are here in
Florida. Um, and I appreciate everything that you and your team do. Um, and everybody else who's not in the room right now. Um, so I know that there's expansion on other ideas to present and to have and be embraced uh by the
community. Um, and there's no shortage of that to tap other communities similar to ours. Um, my question is, um, can you be an enterprise fund as we have our airport? >> The golf course is enterprise fund. It
it's actually that's how it's designated by the clerk's office as an enterprise fund. The other the other um assets are not just by how it's set up. But one of the things that we do, for example, um the golf course, the the cafe, uh at
Steuart Beach, the moring fields, and the campground, those facilities use what I call budget. They're budget reservations. So this year, um we have an uh about $1.6 million that we
collected in excess of our expenses. So that money gets set aside. Uh for example, the the hitting bays, restaurant, and golf course was just a hair over $500 and something thousands that will be set aside in a budget
reservation to help um help address things for that that facility in the future. The cafe at at Sewart Beach in the last three years has a budget reservation well over a million dollars. But we've already tapped into that for
example in the last year by replacing because it's a coastal cafe. We've replaced the air condition systems. We've done some improvements to kitchen equipment. So the goal there on those facilities is to retain those net revenues in a budget reservation, not
ask for tax dollars, and then make the necessary improvements to provide the program. >> And that's what we've been doing pretty successfully, >> right? And we've had that discussion before at at length. Um I just don't want creep to go back to the taxpayers.
Um to me, this looks like a wish list. And I did review what you had presented a couple of months ago. I think was a very nice bound notebook that you gave me about all similar to this that we have today. This is more abbreviated. Um and so are you thinking of ways because
it says here pursuit of grants. You know how grants are drying up and other means. What are the other means? I I think where wherever we have opportunity for example the boat ramp program has been most successful in the last three years um specifically Charlie
Leighton which is under construction right now and Sanit Park we've derived well over a million dollars in grants for boat ramps um we've done grants through the Florida boater improvements program um so where we have opportunity
to um to match our dollars to create um less less tax burden. We do that as much as we can where when we can >> and we might have to pull back on some of you know these initiatives that you want to put forth depending on how the
dollars are allocated. Correct. >> One one of the you know with this master plan it's mainly predicated most of it for the board through the capital improvement program. So everything that we that is in the plan will come through
that formal process uh as it relates to either whether for example one of the when Art talked about what would you do for $200. Um you know most of the folks said we want an indoor space no recreation center. So, one of the things that we're doing right now is we're
preparing a request for proposal to hire a few firms uh have available a few firms to have um create feasibility studies. one to see what size of for example a facility should be based on the size of the county conceptual plan
ideas or you know those types of things and civil engineering services for all that we do going forward so that we hire the right firm and make the right decisions but that's all part of the CIP planning um uh going forward you know right now in the current queue you know
you have Leighton Park Charlie Leighton Park under full construction um then you have in designing and permitting right now the uh Sea Turtle Beach Cafe and the Wesk Park smallsighted soccer complex. And then you have the future planning projects which the board approved which
were Pineapple Park pickle ball complex for at this point it's um design uh and um Heritage Ridge master plan which is conceptual like what do we want to do but a lot of this is based on the feasibility of now looking at the plan and looking at what the community wants
relative to new facilities. And so as we move along this process will take its form and shape through the CIP process. Mhm. >> Commissioner Heatherington. >> Yes. On your um Thank you for the presentation. Very nicely done. And I always like to see um how much public
participation those focus groups had a lot of participation. So on the um the earlier comment on the cost recovery system, it sounds like the county is doing well. But when when we are gaining this revenue, I know you mentioned that
the golf course is an enterprise fund. So that revenue would stay the revenue earned in the golf course would stay in the golf course. >> Correct. >> For that and then the other departments if they're earning revenue say Fipps Park or that is is that restricted
because we could probably um if there are not needs for those particular parks use that as to help maintain our parks across the board. Is that the goal of this cost recovery system to help the programs as a whole?
>> I think it's a great question. So, I don't have the perfect answer for you, but the one I'll give you off the top of my head is that we, you know, we have recently created opportunities for buzz reservations based on recent success of like forget the campground. But in the
campground, there are still a lot of other capital needs that we still need to do. you know, we're we're still paving sites that are very very expensive, things that we cut out of budgets many many years ago. So, but yeah, so I think where it makes sense,
you know, we the goal is that we want to keep these specific sites at a really, really high level, but I would imagine that if you know, we were so successful, you know, we're you're generating millions of dollars over the years and we needed to plug some holes somewhere for some emergencies, um, then, you
know, I'm a big saver, so then we should do that as much as we can. We're not there yet. um one of the in the CIP project for um for the uh Sea Turtle Beach Cafe um we program we program in some revenue there from the other cafe
to help fund its capital construction costs to not you know to lower that burden again and so I think that's a great way to do it. So so it can be moved around I suppose if if we feel that that at that time we need to do it. Um would it be great for the entire park system to be an enterprise fund?
Yes, but I don't think we'll ever get there. But I I I don't I think that for now we're just evaluating how well we're doing and that what we're also finding is that, you know, things break very very quickly on the beach, you know, and public high use facilities require lots
lots of dollars. And and I'd like to use the revenue when possible to do that. My fear is um what I don't want to do is we haven't asked for any additional for example fixed asset replacement dollars is to reduce those because it takes care of the countywide system as much as we
can is to kind of keep those dollars steady moving forward granted we're not in a crisis and just and and move in that direction. Okay. And then I'll have a separate unrelated >> if I could just add to that. Um the the
um each we do track the funds related to each one of those individual projects, but we do the board does have the authority authority to use those funds on other items within since it's not an enterprise. You do have the authority to use those funds on other projects within
the parks department as Mr. Bate has stated and it's typically would be directed towards your capital improvement program to lower the burden of taxes on those types of projects. So, um absolutely the uh the the ability for the parks to generate money does have
strongly have the ability to reduce the burden on other facilities unrelated to the revenue generating ones. It's just as they started up. We have tracked all the money that comes into them by fund. Um it is and then it has been uh to make
sure that all of those facilities are not costing anything on the county's um um taxes uh and uh and then to make the improvements to keep them at that level and then as funds have become available as uh Mr. Bate stated to use in the
capital investment on new programs such as the um Sand Dune Cafe. >> Okay. Thank you. Would anyone from the public like to address us? >> Commissioner Heatherington. >> I just Yeah. One more um comment. Um, I
I personally believe and I I think that it showed in the focus groups, the youth recreation are some of the um to me the most important assets of a Martin County park or a parks department in general because it keeps young young people off
these and allows them to, you know, leadership and abilities and team um camaraderie. So I see that and I hear often that we we have some amazing fields whether they be baseball or soccer and but sometimes we have to
uh let them I guess seed them or let them grow in. So probably not just me, my colleagues here from residents, why can't we use that? It's just sitting there empty. Why can't we use this? How often do we have to do something like
that? And what percentage of time are fields down doing that? And at what percentage of that would you then consider that we need more facilities? >> I would say the I'm going to let Mr. Kerwin the deputy director answer because he's over the maintenance but
there every year we're bringing the fields down but Kevin can get specifically into that >> Kevin Kerwin deputy director of Martin County Parks and Recreation so we have a a robust plan where we invest in our fields just like we do in our facilities.
So the why it looks like the grass is always growing it needs to be fed and maintained and that's for several reasons. First of all, each field, if you look at a soccer field or baseball field, that's just the turf alone is probably a 60 to $70,000 investment. So,
it needs to be maintained for safety reasons, aesthetic, and playability. And what we try to do working with the youth sports providers and the other rentals is to schedule that out so that we can go and then do our scheduled maintenance
and that's the downtime which is very limited and we do that off season so that then we're able when the seasons start up that the kids and the adults can go back to playing again. Our emphasis is always on our youth sports
providers because they're doing all the activities and running the programs that you have a myriad of kids and Kev mentioned. Um there's 12 different user groups all throughout the county that they're running all these athletic programs to keep the kids off the
phones. Um so I would say the downtime is minimal. I don't want to give you an exact number, but it's in weeks, not months. And it's only when necessary, not an arbitrary we're going to close them and they're going to rest. It is
there's science behind it. >> Good. All right. Thank you, >> Mr. Pine. Nice job. >> Good morning, commissioners. My name is Tom Pine. I've been a resident of Martin County for over 50 years. When the county sells property, we're told we're not supposed to make profits because we're not a we're not
supposed to be operating businesses. We've heard that multiple times over the years. Yet, our parks department operates multiple businesses that all the counties around us and cities work in a business government partnership.
So, where does the hypocrisy end? We're not supposed to make money selling property because we're a government. We're not supposed to be making profit. But when the parks department operates multiple businesses, that's okay.
I find that questionable at best. The city of Stewart operates a mooring field as a business venture with a local marina. We own our we operate our own
moing field. Our rates are extremely low compared to the county, the city operated Morningfield. Yet our RV park that we operate, the rates are considerably higher than the RV parks that the counties operate in
the area because the hypocrisy of picking winners and losers when you operate a business. And that's where we are in Martin County. We can't make money when we're selling property because we're not
supposed to be operating businesses, but the parks department, that's okay if you operate multiple businesses. I can understand the logic. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Any further comments? I just have one
and that's not regarding the plan. The plan is a is a fine plan, but it's rather the um parks and recreation advisory board. Um it's a board that's been in in uh use for decades. And at
one time it was um making ad advisory decisions about spending a half cent sales tax. Um and uh that sales tax no longer exists. So
I the members of the advisory board uh tell me that they feel that their meetings are rather preuncter and they're also not well attended. Um and one of the reasons may be because they're scheduled to meet monthly which
is a huge obligation for our volunteer members. Um, so while I still think that it's important to have a parks and rec advisory board, I think that maybe we should consider uh reducing the number of meetings so that we get better participation, more meaningful
participation. Um, maybe we should meet quarterly. >> Second. >> I agree with that. >> That sound good? There's a >> That's fine. >> Um, >> wait, is there statutes or anything for that?
Commissioner Herd would have to pass the gavl to make a motion. So >> I'll make a motion. >> Yeah, that's awesome. >> That the parks and rec advisory board meet quarterly. >> Okay, >> because I have heard from my representatives on the board similarly. >> Okay, good. There's a motion in a second. Commissioner Caps,
>> I'm I'm probably going to be for that, but I'd like to hear Mr. Abate's opinion on it. I I would say that the between summers and holidays and not meeting quorum, they're meeting quarterly anyway on average. I think
that the our presentations to them on the capital budget and the operating budget will be much more meaningful and an annual operating update when that gets us to three and we would work closely with whoever the chair is, you know, and and maybe and go over our
master plan goals. So I think that we, you know, I think the board chair and the previous board chairs and members were just kind of struggling with really what to do. They had a lot of purpose when I first got here 15 years ago. They were really into the sales tax. They were actually required to be on that
referendum as a part of the decision-m and then once that money has dried up, it just kind of we had a 21 member board. It was reduced down to nine. And so we had trouble making quorms. So, I think that quarterly makes a lot of sense uh for them and for us.
>> Miss Patrick, is this your light? >> That is mine. Uh Melissa Petri for uh assistant county attorney. Uh just so that you're aware, the last resolution we had was in 2019. Um I'll be worked with Kevin if it's all right with the board to come back with an amended resolution. Um and just changing that
one matter on. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. There's a motion in a second. All those in favor? I >> opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Now we need a motion to uh move that the board adopt the parks and recreation master plan. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> We will now, as I promised, take up agenda item
uh department DPQJ1, which is me Run. This is quasi judicial commissioners. Uh, Commissioner Vargas, any exparte disclosures? >> If I have any, they've been filed.
>> Commissioner Caps, >> if I have any, they have been filed. >> I certainly have them and they've been filed. Commissioner Campy, >> I have them and they've been filed. >> And Commissioner Heathering, >> if any, they've been filed. And anyone who's going to be providing
sworn testimony in this matter, please stand up, raise your right hand, and be sworn in. Raise your right hands. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Mr. Elam, have you presented all the required materials to the clerk? It's a copy of my work history and the agenda item. >> Please proceed. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioners, uh, for the record, I'm Brian Elm,
principal planner with the growth management department. I've turned in a copy of the agenda item. My work history is exhibit one. On December 4th, 2025, changes to the Metrun Property Owners Association Corporation were filed with the state
changing some of the officers of the corporation. So, I've provided an updated disclosure of interest uh with my submittal for the record, and I've printed copies uh to be provided to the board if you'd like. This is a request by McKenzie
Engineering and Planning, Inc. on behalf of Meet Run Property Owners Association, Incorporated for approval of a revised final site plan to add a rear entry gate at the Culdeac of Southwest Brierbrook Way for the purpose of accessing
Southwest Leighton Farm Avenue. Included with this application is a request for a certificate of public facilities reservation. The master site plan for the Fox Grove subdivision was approved on June 8th, 2004 and included a 91 lot subdivision
on approximately 54 acres with minimum lot sizes of 5 acres consistent with the agricultural ranchet feature land use and AR5A zoning district. The Fox Grove subdivision received final site plan approval on September 14th, 2004,
and the subdivision was platted on April 15th, 2005. This application was previously heard on October 7th, 2025, and the board voted to deny the request. The board voted to reconsider the decision to deny the
request on October 21st, 2025. The property is east of Southwest Citrus Boulevard, north of I95, and west of Southwest Leighton Farms Avenue at 4350 Southwest Stony Brook Way in Palm City.
The current zoning on the property is AR5A, Agricultural Ranchet District. The future land use is Agricultural Ranchet. This is uh sheet one of the revised final site plan showing the proposed rear entry gate at the culdesac of
southwest Brier Brook Way which is right over here. Just note that uh I don't know how clearly you can see it. Not very clearly at all. There was one note that was updated. Uh very little
has changed from the original um site plan that was approved other than updating the notes that were no longer valid and changing the uh the note that covers the access. [snorts] This is sheet three of the revised final
site plan showing uh a detail of the gated access. uh shows that you have a fence here um that goes around the culde-sac area and then it's gated here allowing uh vehicles the necessary queuing area and also the ability to
turn around as required. [snorts] And this is just an aerial image of uh of the property there. So, development review staff have found the Metrun Property Owners Association Incorporated application to comply with all applicable regulations in the
comprehensive growth management plan is detailed in the staff report. Review of this application by the local planning agency is not required and staff recommends approval of the Meadowrun Property Association Owners Association application. And we move
that the board receive and file the agenda item and its attachments, including the staff report as exhibit one, and move that the board adopt the resolution approving the revised final site plan for the Meadow Run at Fox Grove subdivision project. That concludes my presentation.
>> Questions for staff? Seeing none, applicant, would you like to make a presentation? Morning, Miss Story. >> Good morning. Um, for the record, I am Christa Story and I'm an attorney with
Polymath Law out of Pemrook Pines along with McKenzie Engineering and Planning. I'm pleased to be representing the Meadowrun Property Owners Association in regard to their request for approval of a revised final site plan. First and foremost, we would like to thank the
board for your willingness to reconsider the request. Just laying out about how we plan to proceed on our portion. My role today will be to provide a bit of legal context to this quasi judicial proceeding.
Then representatives from McKenzie Engineering and Planning will make the technical portion of the presentation regarding the revised final site plan. With us today are Ann Marie Height who's president and Jeff Cable who's treasurer
of the Meadow Run Property Owners Association. They also may have some comments and they're also here to answer any questions and they have been sworn in. The request before you is a very straightforward
request to add a rear entry gate at the culde-sac of southwest Brierbook way to provide access to Leighton Farm Avenue pursuant to te section 10.5F9
of the land development regulations. It is a type of application which is considered at a public meeting by the board of county commissioners. Due to the limited changes proposed to the existing site plan, review by the local planning agency was not required nor
notice to surrounding property owners. Quasi judicial matters as the consideration of this applica application is are proceedings that involve the application of policy to a specific development application. As
such more formality is required, such things as witnesses provide testimony under oath, evidence is presented, and a record is being created. Public comment is certainly a part of the proceeding, but the decision in a quasi judicial
matter must be rendered based on correct application of the law and competent substantial evidence within the record, the expertise of the speaker and the relevancy of comments to the issue.
whether the proposed final site plan compro uh complies with the code that must be evaluated. In that regard, the applicant bears the initial burden of presenting competent substantial evidence to support the
development application. The criteria for approval of a revised final site plan is whether it complies with the applicable codes. Accordingly, professional engineers Shawn McKenzie and Chris Meninger will be providing
testimony to demonstrate that the Meadowrun revised final site plan is in compliance with the comprehensive growth management plan and the land development regulations as required by sections 10.1E and 102B2 of the land development
regulations. We appreciate that staff has found the application to be in compliance, but it is the applicant's responsibility and burden to demonstrate that compliance through the presentation of competent substantial evidence.
At this point in time, I'm going to refer to three documents which I provided to staff to be filed with the clerk in reference to some exhibit some um exhibits by the applicant. The first
document is is a printed um copy of the PowerPoint presentation that you're going to see. The second document is a printed copy of Mr. McKenzie's resume. And the third document is a copy of Mr.
Meninger's resume. Before turning the presentation over to these gentlemen, I have a few questions for each of them. First, Mr. McKenzie and then we're going to how we want to share mic or I'll move if we can do it
or I'll step over. Okay. Had you been Mr. McKenzie, have you been sworn in? >> Yes, I have. >> Please give your full name for the record. >> Sean Gregory McKenzie, a professional engineer with Mackenzie Engineering and Planning. As to the exhibit that I just
mentioned, your resume, does it accurately refle reflect your prevent uh excuse me, professional credentials and your work history? >> Yes, it does. >> Are you a professional engineer licensed in the state of Florida? >> Yes, I am.
>> For how many years have you held that professional credential or an estimate? >> Approximately 21 years. >> Okay. For how many years have you been working as an engineering professional in Martin County? >> Uh, just over 20 years, I believe. >> Okay. Are you familiar with the Martin
County comprehensive growth management plan and the land development regulations? >> Yes, I am. >> Did you participate in the development of the Meadowrun revised final site plan that is being considered today? >> Yes, I did. >> And in your professional opinion, is the revised final site plan in compliance
with the Martin County comprehensive plan and the land development regulations? Yes, it is. >> Okay. Thank you. Now, Mr. Menager, please. Very similar questions, but okay. It's important. >> Have you been sworn in? >> Yes, I have. >> Please give your full name for the record.
>> Uh, Christopher Joseph Meninger. >> As to exhibit three, your resume, does it accurately reflect your professional credentials and your work history? >> Yes, it does. >> Are you a professional engineer licensed in the state of Florida? >> Yes, I am. For how many years have you
held that professional credential? >> Um, less than one year. Yeah. >> Okay. However, for how many years have you been working as an engineering professional in Martin County? >> Uh, four and a half years. >> Are you familiar with the Martin County comprehensive growth management plan and
the land development regulations? >> Yes, I am. >> Did you participate in the development of the Meadow Run revised final site plan that is being considered today? >> Yes, I did. In your professional opinion, is the revised final site plan in compliance with the Martin County comprehensive plan and the land
development regulations? >> Yes, it is. >> After the public uh comment portion of the hearing, we would like the opportunity to provide rebuttal and our final comments. Uh Ms. Height and Mr. Campbell may have some additional
comments afterwards, but at this point, I would like to turn our presentation over to McKenzie Engineering and Planning. Good morning, commissioners. Thank you for having us here today. Uh, I do appreciate your time. Um, staff has been great to work with. Uh, my name is Sean
McKenzie, as you heard before. I'm a professional engineer with McKenzie Engineering and Planning. I have over 25 years of experience. Um, our office located at 1172 Southwest 30th Street, Palm City, Florida. Next one.
Uh the property we're talking about here today is Meadow Run. It's 91 approved lots. Uh located just north of I95. Uh on the west side is Citrus Boulevard. Uh it's just south of Moore Street and on the west side of Leighton Farm Avenue.
It has one uh full access location right on Citrus Boulevard and one emergency access located on Leighton Farm Avenue about 1,900 ft south of Moore Street. that uh and so the community is here today seeking a full access location,
secondary rear access on Leighton Farm Avenue uh which is now fully paved all the way from Martin Highway all the way south down to Meadow Run and essentially their culde-sac off of uh Brier I think Brierbook Way.
A little bit of history. Um I think they already went through this so I'll go quick. The project was originally approved uh for master site plan in June 2004. for a final site plan in September 2004. There's an administrative amendment back in 2006
uh to allow a manned guard house up at the front gate. Um right now the community has, as I understand it, 33 homes currently occupied. Nine are under construction. Um historically, there's been about three or four homes under construction each year. So, it'll be
about another 10 or 15 years under that pace of projection before this community becomes fully built out at at the 91 homes. Uh so, this is a site plan amendment being requested to add a rear gate entry to Southwest Brierbook Way. Um that
would provide an access to uh a secondary access to Leighton Farm Avenue. Here uh is just the site plan itself. You can see on the left side of your screen which acts is uh Citrus Boulevard. That's where the existing access and existing gate is located. Um
there up the top of your screen that's the existing 20ft easement uh of which 10 ft of that 20 foot easement is paved. So that is really just an emergency access uh for the community. And then what's being requested is in the the
bottom part of your screen on the right side uh the proposed gate and the culde-sac there on Brierbook Way which would have full access to uh Leighton Farm Avenue. Next slide. And really the quest before you is is really what you see here. That is the
the culde-sac at the end of Brierbrook Way. Um on the right side of your screen is uh Southwest Leighton Farm Avenue. Uh, and this would provide an access out to Leighton Farm Avenue. There would be a gate interior to the community. Uh,
that would provide access via a gated call box within that culde-sac circle. Um, this access point meets all of the county standards for access. Uh, will have adequate lighting. Uh, provides for adequate queuing and circulation for for any vehicles that want to come in,
around, and through. and it meets all of the emergency access standards that that we have here in Martin County to make sure that you know safe vehicles can safely enter and exit um through the community. Um little bit of what was discussed earlier today. Uh this shows an aerial
from 2008 and again you're looking at Brier Brook Way and the culde-sac at the bottom of your screen. Southwest Leighton Farm Avenue running through the middle of the screen. And you can see that up until starting about 2008, you can see that fresh asphalt on Leighton Farm Avenue. That's when it was paved
all the way down uh through past most of Meadow Run, but it did stop about 1,200 ft short of Brierbrook Way. So, it did not fully reach that back access. So, if the developer at that time had wanted to have an access at Brierbrook Way, they would have had to have paved this
section of road. uh they clearly chose not to. Next slide. In 2023 uh that the last 1,200 feet of of road was paved and you can see that before you. So this uh this is a relatively new
uh uh pavement there for the the community to access this county road. Okay. Uh briefly from an application history perspective, uh this orig originated in 2021. Um a pre-application was
originally held in March 2022. Uh the community attempted to uh to move this uh project forward, realized uh it might be a little bit more than they're willing to take on. Uh they paused essentially for a couple of years. uh then earlier this year engaged us
Mackenzie Engineering and Planning to put together a formal site plan application as well as engineering documents uh which we did uh that went through staff uh review and ultimately approval uh and that's why we're here before you today to request this this uh
gate opening. Okay. So again, it's a a rear access operation gate. It will be uh fully open to the community. It's an alternative access point and provides a lot of benefits really for the community. Uh first of all and probably most importantly, it is
uh will reduce emergency response time to the community and those 91 future homes, 33 existing um homeowners. It does also provide an alternative community access which in our industry is really best practices to have multiple points of access and entry to
any community. Um, so in the event uh the front entrance is blocked for for any reason, traffic is detourred from I95 or the turnpike coming all the way up Citrus, making entry and exit to their community difficult. This would give them an
alternative access point. Uh, in addition, as was noted, Citrus Boulevard is a a high-speed arterial roadway. So for anybody wanting to have a little bit of a safer entry and exit from the community, this would give them an alternative access point.
And lastly, this would give the community the ability to uh maintain their lake um directly from their back uh entrance, which they cannot do today. Uh today they would be required to have their maintenance vehicles um traverse
out of the existing entrance gate um up Citrus Boulevard over on Morris Street south on Leighton Farm Avenue and then maintain uh that lake which provides preventsing flooding not only in their community but the surrounding communities because if their community
floods that's also going to flood their neighbors as well. Don't want that to happen. So then that same vehicle would have to return back up Leighton Farm Avenue down Moore Street and back Citrus Boulevard. And so by having access to that rear gate, um that keeps that, you know, those heavy maintenance vehicles
off of those roads. Next slide. Uh Southwest Leighton Farm Avenue is an existing county owned and maintained road. It is a rural local road outside the urban service boundary. And as we [laughter] discussed, it's paved all the way from Martin Highway
down to Meadow Run. The roadway width meets all state and national standards for a local road. Um there's adequate capacity. You know, even with the additional Meadow Run traffic, um this is a local road and based on the volumes that are out there, no striping is
required based on again state and national standards. So the infrastructure for for Meadow Runsgate is currently in place. Uh we did a a traffic evaluation. The traffic from this project, you know, from meta runs back 8 is really a minimal increase on Leighton Farm
Avenue. Um residential uses generally have a very low traffic usage after 6 p.m. which is uh coincidentally about the same time the uh that road really gets busiest. That the busiest time on Leighton Farm Avenue is from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. That is different than the
peak any of a typical residential community. So really, Meto Run and its residents can operate safely and harmoniously with all of the uses up and down Leighton Farm Avenue. Um Meadow Run's considered their alternative access point. That's about
um 1900 ft south of Moore Street. Again, that's a 20 foot wide easement with 10 ft of asphalt. Um it does flood during heavy rainfalls, so it's really uh and would not doesn't currently have an area for an adequate turnaround. Uh so this
really is not a viable location for a a full access secondary location where they have their emergency access today. Again there is adequate infrastructure in place for the southwest Berbrook way gated access and entry. Um essentially we agree with staff we
comply with all the standards of the county code. Uh so we're here before you uh seeking approval for this gated entry and we're here to answer any questions you may have. Uh we'd also like to reserve um uh any time needed um after public comment to come back forward and
answer any questions or discuss any points that are brought up. >> Questions? I do have two request to speak forms from the public. The first is Kathy Jensen followed by Constantine Alexeno
maybe. Afternoon. Hi, thank you. Sorry, I'm short. I am not going to speak in hypotheticals or in self-serving statements. I just want to let the board know two incidents
that happened to me personally and why this gate is so important to us. This past summer, I had two instances where I needed emergency services. The first one occurred and the sheriff's
department came by GPS to that back gate. They could not get in. Not everybody's as lucky as me. My son is a Martin County Sheriff's deputy and they called him and said they knew I was his mom. They called him and he told them, "Go to the front. Go to Citrus."
It took all that time for them to get turned around. There were five cars to get turned around and come back and come through the gate and then get to me. The second time was a follow-up medical um emergency that the police came and on
that day GPS took him to the back gate again and luckily for me our president was at the gate and she was able to unlock that gate and let them get to me. So had it not been for my son being a
police officer and Anmarie being there at the gate, it would have taken them so much longer to get to me. And I needed them I needed them both times and it was it was very it was a very bad situation that I en encountered that those two
times. I just want to let y'all know that that is why that gate is so important to us. It's not for anything to be self- serving or political. It's just to help us. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Alex.
Everybody, thank you for holding the hearing. Um, again, I want to speak in favor of the Metaron Rear Gate. I'm one of the residents there. Uh I'm also a local physician and I can tell you as was just stated that you know minutes seconds do count in terms of favorable
unfavorable outcomes. Um the other thing is just again to some contraindicate uh contradictory arguments that have been made by the opposition where the road's not safe. Well, if the road's not safe, it's not safe for any use period and therefore it should be made safe before it's being used. But the fact that self
admittedly they said 1600 members are using that road continuously, they're not arriving there in bicycles. All right, they're arriving there in cars which are passing side by side with no problems. We want to have the ability to use that road the same way. Um, furthermore, again, we spoke multiple
times about the GPS rerouting everybody. Um, as far as traffic, 1,600 members using that road, an additional 200 cars if that is not going to significantly impact. As was demonstrated that when 714 was being expanded,
detours were being rerouted from Citrus and 714 through Moore and Leighton farms. There were no incidents that occurred at that time. So, I believe that road is safe to use and can be done um that way. Regarding heavy equipment use, um JCC continues to have heavy
equipment being directed to their property. So again, we just request their use of that road and if we need construction vehicles to enter that way or residential uh people to use that that gate, we'd like to have the ability to do so.
Um insurance costs. Uh currently if the fire department goes through the front gate, we are more than 5 miles outside of the um um for them to get there. Our insurance rates were significantly higher because we had no fire department within 5 miles. if they were allowed to
go through the back gate, that would reduce our insurance costs. And when I was looking for insurance, it was astronomically higher because they said, "You do not have a fire department within five miles." So, all of these things do reduce the ability for us to grow our community. Um, which will
further reduce people building there for various reasons and therefore it will reduce some taxpayers money. So, we just ask that you allow us to have access to the rear gate. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Sharfy. They only allow people to speak once on an agenda item and you spoke this morning during public
comment. [clears throat] So that was your one bite at the apple. Would anyone else from the public like to address us? >> Seeing none, back to the board. [clears throat] I have I have a question. Uh what is the
rightway on Leighton Farms Road? It's a countymaintained road. What's the What's the right ofway >> classification? >> How much right ofway is available? One one speaker said that it was 18 ft. Is that an acceptable right-of-way standard
for a Martin County? >> Madam Chair, >> I didn't see on the I looked on the plans and it's not disclosed on the plans for some strange reason. >> That would be in the construction, >> but you're not part of this. I'd have to go. Uh, >> Mr. Gazelka,
>> good morning. This is I'm Michael Gresulka, the county engineer. I have not been sworn in. So, >> okay. Please be sworn in. >> Raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
>> Uh, yeah. The current currently the the rightway width is meeting county standards, rightway widths, and the pavement is a 20 foot pavement, which is county standard um local road pavement. >> Okay. Okay, further questions for staff.
Commissioner Heatherington. >> So, the um this might might be for Michael. The Oh, I think McKenzie said that Leighton was a rural classification.
The road is classified as a rural road. >> It's classified as a local road. >> A local road. And then citrus is a arterial. >> I believe it's an arterial. Yes. >> And then 7 714 must be an arterial crew
if if citrus is right. So I I don't have a problem with residents using the back back gate. where I would take a little bit issue is having
contractors and where when they have an arterial um entrance and exit point from the neighborhood. So, I think that traffic would be a minimal increase with residents using the gate, which is to me acceptable, but I could we put a
condition in to the PUD that um the association can cannot prohibit contractors from using the front gate or when possible they should be using the arterial roads.
>> It It's not a PUD. It's just going to be a development order. So, we can restrict the as access. It's going to be hard to monitor that, but you can restrict the access in the back if the board wants to do that in the resolution. >> So, you do that by resolution, >> right? This isn't a PUD. I don't believe
it is. So, it's by resolution of approval of the site plan. >> So, okay. To to you can limit it to residents and emergency vehicles or in the resolution. >> Okay. Thank you,
>> Commissioner Vargas. >> You know, in my real estate career started in Miami a go-go years, we saw a lot of uh developments spring up [clears throat] and um they went from tiny to huge. Um and this is what we've
seen here actually in Martin County. Uh, unfortunately, um, I lived in a development where it was still under construction with an active contractor and the trucks were coming in and the residents were
using the same gate. Um, there was never a collision, there was never a fatality. Um, people walking the sidewalks as the trucks had to pass through partially constructed or another section. This is
a tiny development. The one that I lived in had,00 living units. Uh we were able to coexist side by side. Um and the thing is that we're talking about
safety, public safety. We're talking about saving lives at the back entrance. We're talking also about the uh community to have more convenience. Citrus is a speedway. I have driven that
myself and I'm a safe driver. It's on my license. But but here's here's the other thing. I do I always do site visits and I go at different times. I went during the day, but then I went in the evening. It was after 7:00 p.m.
It was very hard for me to get down the road. There were cars straddling the side of the road, half-hazardly parked. I I I guess my big question is why hasn't this been mandated that there has
to be dedicated parking? But then more than that, my understanding is that this soccer stadium field does not have regulatory approval.
Why would that be allowed to continue? That is a big question and nobody is addressing that on this board at all. That to me is a an acute danger. And again, I had to turn around because I couldn't go through Meadow Run um to
get back to Citrus if I wish to do so. And there was a sufficient turnaround. I have the maps here. I've studied them. Um I think that needs to be looked into absolutely because we all have to comply
with regulations and nobody is going to be exempt from that. So, I am requesting that that be handled and looked into. And my understanding is that uh within the next couple of weeks, although I don't know how it's gone on for so long, uh I'm just newly on the
board within the last year, that this must be addressed and they must comply and they must have parking or cease operations because to me, this is a danger to the residents or folks like myself that want to drive down that road. There is nothing further beyond
that's going to be developed. Is this correct? It is not possible. >> Yes. >> As this turnaround. >> Okay. And I know there's a small little maintenance area that they they use. I was I was you instructed that this is what we do. We use this area right here. So I've looked at the maps and I have
all my maps here. Got all them here. I've studied them. But but here here's the thing. You can put up speed bumps. Not a good idea. you'll have a very good relationship with your mechanic and a mechanic will tell you that's not good. You can put up some guard rails. Um you
can have certain areas that are paved for folks to walk on one side or the other. You can do all of that. Um but I don't see that this request by an individual who lives in
the area saying that no, they cannot open the gate at all. that should not hold water. This is a a community that has two, three, maybe four homes under construction at a time. Now, I lived in
one,00 living units and the trucks came in. They can't make a safe turn coming off Citrus. In addition to that, they will damage the property of Meadow Run. Yeah, you know, their job is to get the property built, the home built for the
homeowner in a timely fashion and to comply with Martin County regulations. Also, um Citrus is not Citrus Boulevard is not a street that you want to slow down on. You want to get in onto it and
off of it as soon as possible. However, Leighton Farms, I think, is far safer and it's more beneficial to this community. And that's why I will support this gate being opened again. My own personal experience what I experienced coming down that road in the evening and
believe me I was very very careful. I didn't want to you know go to the left to the right at all. They were straddling the road. There was disorganization. So, I am going to um approve and I
request my fellow commissioners to look at this and be reasonable and see that this makes a lot of sense for these homeowners. >> Is that a motion? >> Yes, I'm making a motion for that. >> Yeah, this this obviously the situation has changed a lot in this neighborhood
since 2004. um what was practical maybe in 2004 is no longer practical and as as uh as I tried to make the emergency access work and it doesn't it's not big enough and it would
have to be reconfigured they would the uh land would have to right ofway would have to be acquired which would make it non-compliant with the minimum five acres so that there's that's not a practical solution even though that sounded like the best solution
Um, and I also traveled to the site and um, Citrus Boulevard is uh, really fast. There's a lot of truck traffic. There's a lot of fast traffic. Um, so I can
certainly understand that that residents need to have an alternative. Uh, so I'm I'm also going to be supporting the motion to approve the back gate. >> I'd like to make one other comment, please. Um, and this is to the community. I don't know if I'm speaking with the attorney, the president, uh,
the maintenance fellow, and certainly the engineering firm. Um, I did question whether or not this turnaround would have proper lighting and also landscape, so it's an attractive entrance. Right now, it's a
construction area. Um, signage also giving direction, clear direction for traffic flow. Um, are we pointing to Mr. McKenzie? [laughter] Okay. >> Thank you. Yes, we designed it to meet all county codes. Uh, we did provide additional landscaping and we will make
sure that there's adequate lighting and as with any sort of gated entrance, it will have adequate signage pointing, you know, what what uh vehicles that enter, how they need to proceed. >> Okay. And this will be by a call box or the code on the windshield entry. Uh I
believe there's going to be a call box so that uh as you enter the uh circular area kind of [laughter] roundabout uh you'll have that signage uh telling the the entrance you know how to proceed and what what to do. >> Okay. Very good. Thank you so much. >> Any further questions or comments?
Commissioner Heatherington. I I just wanted to reiterate um can we put a condition in there that trucks when possible should be using the major arterial roads not the uh local roads
>> I don't know how you enforce >> um commissioner madam chair may I Paul Schilling growth management director so uh that has come up before in a variety of circumstances and it as as one of the board members indicated it it is very very very difficult to enforce that. I
would suggest that the community could put certain controls on uh how they approach their contractors and and and their wishes as to that. But from a regulatory standpoint, um short of having someone posted on
that site collecting evidence, um that would be very very difficult to prosecute. >> Commissioner Vargas, it's not feasible. I'll repeat myself again for these trucks, these huge
trucks to come in, concrete trucks, companies that specialize. Somebody had mentioned about trusses. They're huge. It's not possible to do that on Citrus. Please, I urge my fellow commissioners,
take a drive there and try and pull in safely. Look front, side, and at the back. make sure nobody comes into the back of you. Again, we used a backed entrance. [clears throat] And it flowed very nicely. It flowed
very nicely. People follow traffic laws. They're going to do it on an arterial road. They're going to do it on a side road. They're going to do on a country road. They're going to do wherever it may be. And and that's it. We have to have common sense about this without having a a ticket taker in the back there. And we we don't we're not going
to do that. We're not going to do that. And again, that's up to Meta Run. They can certainly police themselves and make the decisions what they how they want to proceed with this, but I think this needs to move past the county commission and pass our departments also.
>> Mr. Fox, is this your light? >> Yes, ma'am. Sebastian Foxy and your assistant county attorney. Uh, with respect to the commissioner's comment about the lighting at the roundabout in the gate area, if the board uh would like to direct staff by their motion to
uh evaluate that lighting, whether it's a um a light study or otherwise during post approval, uh that is an option. >> Okay, Commissioner Caps. >> [sighs] >> I was quite moved by uh the attorney for
the applicant's arguments about what a quai judicial decision is. And I would like to bring our attention back to that. Uh a quai judicial decision has a different legal standard. It's competent substantial evidence and the
record. and quai judicial decisions are things like zoning decisions and final site plans and plat approvals. And then there are legislative decisions
that are things like comp plan amendments and ordinances and the legal standard for those is different. It's it's fairly debatable. As long as it's fairly debatable, then you can go either
way on the issue. But this is one of those judicial decisions. And we've had testimony that the proposal before us meets the uh comp plan amendment provisions and our uh
land development regulations. So, uh, I'm I'm putting a lot of weight on that and so I will support the rear gate u proposal before us. >> Any further questions or comments?
There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Commissioners, um, I see the applicant for uh the >> [clears throat]
>> Martin Commerce Park project. Do you want to motor through here or you want to take a break? >> We can do it. >> Want to motor through? >> Sure. >> Okay. Let's take up agenda item public hearing quasi judicial number two, which is a request for reszoning approval to
to the planned unit development through a PUD zoning agreement for the Martin Commerce Park project. This is quasi judicial. Any exparte disclosures? Commissioner Vargas, if >> I have any, they've been filed.
>> Commissioner Caps, >> if I have any, they have been filed. >> If I have any, they've been filed. Commissioner Campy, >> I have some. They've been filed. >> And Commissioner Heatherington, >> I have some and they've been filed. >> Excellent. Anybody who's going to be providing sworn testimony
in this agenda item, please stand, raise your right hand, and be sworn in. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> Have you provided all of your materials
to the clerk of courts? >> I've turned in a copy of the agenda item and my work history. for exhibit one. >> Please proceed. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioners, uh again, for the record, I'm Brian Elim, uh principal planner with the
growth management department. Uh included with the submitt I just turned in uh is an updated PUD zoning agreement exhibit F1, which is the legal description for the proposed public benefit to donate the county to the
county approximately 5.7 acres of land for a proposed fire station in western Palm City. Uh, this is a request by Lceto and Associates on behalf of Martin Commerce Park LLC for reszoning approval to planned unit development through a PUD
zoning agreement for the Martin Commerce Park project, including a master site plan, phasing plan, and amended preserve area management plan. Included with this application is an affidavit deferring adequate public facilities reservation.
The property is approximately 167 acres and is located east and adjacent to I95 and south of Southwest Martin Highway, approximately a tenth of a mile south of the intersection of Southwest Martin Highway and Southwest Martinale Drive.
Future land use on the property is industrial. The zoning is LI, Limited Industrial District. The limited industrial zoning district includes limited impact industries such as research and development, light assembly, and manufacturing.
Uh, this property was formerly known as the Martingale Estate Subdivision, which was a 21 lot single family residential subdivision platted in 2014 and included a preserve area management plan. Two comprehensive plan amendments for
this property were approved in 2024. Ordinance 1233 created a freestanding urban services district authorizing the extension of water and sewer services to the property and placed restrictions on the property that include no residential units, a maximum non-residential
building square footage of 1.1 million square ft and future development approval for the property shall be process processed as a planned unit development. Ordinance 1234 changed the future land use on the 167 acre property from
agricultural and agricultural ranchet to industrial and included a concurrent resolution reszoning the property to LI limited industrial district as required by ordinance 1233. The owner has submitted an application requesting to reszone by way of the Martin Commerce
Park PUB zoning agreement that includes a master site plan phasing plan and the amended preserve area management plan. The master site plan includes five phases with a maximum proposed building floor area of 1.1 million square ft and
includes areas for trailer parking and outdoor storage. The only developer benefit and only deviation from the standard LI zoning district development standards proposed in the PUD zoning agreement application is a request to increase the maximum
building height from 30 ft to 40 ft. All other LI development standards are either met or exceeded. Uh the LI zoning district allows a maximum building height of 40 ft for commercial and business uses. The owner proposes the following public
benefits. The owner shall donate to the county land for a proposed fire station in western Palm City within 120 days of approval of the PUD agreement. And upon approval of the master site plan, the owner shall restore and preserve an additional 2 and 3/4 acres of upland
habitat as shown on the master site plan in accordance with the amended preserve area management plan. So, here's a a view of the master site plan. Maximum building coverage is 40%
uh in this zoning district in the PUB uh zoning agreement and the proposed building coverage is 15.11%. Minimum open space required is 20% and the proposed um master site plan is proposing 54.2%.
And then up here along the east side of the property is where the preserve area, existing preserve area is in addition to the 2 and 3/4 acres uh that have been added. Here's the proposed phasing plan. Phase one includes lot one buildings,
including required access, parking, utilities, and landscaping for the proposed buildings and designated outdoor storage areas. Phase one includes construction of all roads, utilities, and drainage infrastructure for the entire project site as well as the preservary management plan
requirements. Except for phase one, phases in individual buildings may be approved and constructed in non-sequential order and or concurrently providing provided that the supporting site infrastructure for a particular phase or building shall be completed in advance or construct
concurrently with improvements in the subject phase or building. This application was heard before the local planning agency on November 20th, 2025. The LPA voted unanimously supporting staff's recommendation to
approve. 3 to zero was the vote. Development review staff have found the Martin Commerce Park LLC application to comply with all applicable regulations and the comprehensive growth management plan is detailed in our staff report and staff recommends approval of of this
application. We move that the board receive and file the agenda item and its attachments including the staff report as exhibit one and move that the board adopt a resolution approving the resoning from LI limited industrial district to planned unit development and
approve the Martin Commerce Park PUB zoning agreement including the master site plan phasing plan and the preserve amended preserve area management plan. That concludes my presentation. >> Questions for Mr. Elam?
applicant, would you like to make a presentation? Uh, >> good morning, commissioners. For the record, Bob Reigns with the Gunster Law Firm here on behalf of the applicant. And thank you, Madam Chair, for mo, uh, getting us this, uh, morning. We
appreciate that. Um, I would like with your permission, uh, Madam Chair, if I could ask Mr. Elim a few questions before we proceed with the rest of our presentation. Mr. Elim. Uh I'm sorry. Did you turned your uh professional your resume in with your professional for the
record? Is that correct? >> Yes. >> And you have been sworn in, sir? >> Yes. >> And you're responsible for putting a portion of the staff report together. Is that correct? >> That's correct. >> And are you responsible, sir, for section F, determination of compliance with the comprehensive growth management
plan requirements? >> Yes. And in that in the staff report, it says that staff's reviewed this application and finds that it complies with the LDRs as detailed within the staff report and staff recommends approval of this development application is consistent with the guidelines and
standards of the applicable comprehensive goal plan goals uh objectives and policies as implemented in the LDRs. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> And you wrote that? >> Yes. >> And in your professional opinion, does this uh project comply with the comprehensive growth management plan
requirements? It does. >> And then also, are you responsible for section G determination of compliance with the land use site design standard zoning and procedural requirements? >> Yes. >> And under findings of compliance in the staff report, it says staff has reviewed this application and finds that it
complies with the LDRs as detailed within this report. Staff recommends approval of this development application is consistent with the guidelines and standards of the applicable comprehensive plan goals, objectives, policies as implemented in the LDRs. Did you write that, sir? >> Yes. And in your professional opinion,
does this project comply with the land use site design standards and zoning and procedural requirements? >> It does. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. Um, commissioners, in a moment, I'm going to have uh Mr. Krady come up and make a short presentation. There is one cleanup
detail that I want and hopefully Miss uh Elder can confirm. I do have with me on the PUD. We needed to update the sketch and legal for the proposed fire station site. So, I would like to submit that
updated as exhibit to be amended to the PUB should you approve it today. >> And and what does that contain because we're not we didn't receive this. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. I'm sorry. It's just an updated legal description for the 5.7 acre site that we're proposing. >> Okay. >> To to send We We sent one in with an
original PUD and one was revised. It's it's a technical change. Okay. When the applicant uh comes up, whoever can show us exactly where this site is, what's on the site, how much upland is on the site, what the access to the site is, those kinds of things because they were
not included. >> Okay. We can we can try to answer those questions for you, Shirley. >> Uh so with that, let me ask uh Mr. Krady to come up and uh Morris, I believe you first of all, if you can introduce yourself for the record. >> Yes. For the record, my name is Morris
Krady. I'm senior partner with Leed and Associates. >> And you need to be sworn in, correct? >> Yes. >> Anybody else need to be sworn in? >> Mr. Weinberg, are you providing testimony? >> Never know. [laughter] >> Raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give
will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. >> Morris, if you could, can you please give us a uh summary of your professional experience and educational background, please? >> Sure. Um, I graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1982 as an
environmental science and began working for Martin County on April 1st, 1982 until about 1990. I've been a certified member of the American Institute of Certified Planners for the past 40 years and have been doing professional land planning almost exclusively in Martin
County for the past 43 years. >> Okay. And can you identify the document that I'm handing you, sir? >> Yes, that's my resume. And is that an accurate and current resume? Thank you. I'd like to submit that as applicants exhibit I guess two or >> two. Are we doing numbers or >> Yes.
>> Okay. Two. Uh all right. Please proceed. >> Sure. I do want to acknowledge that we did return uh turn in the proof of notice to surrounding property owners for this meeting at the local planning agency meeting on November 20th. Um so that's been done. If I can use your mouse. I have a very brief presentation
um just to go over the site plan in a little more detail, but I guess you are you are aware of the project site. Um just show you this to show you the proximity to turnpike to the right of the screen and we are at 95 and just south of 95. And here's a closer view um
that shows our entrance across from uh Steuart West Boulevard. And this is the property that includes the PUD. There's there's a significant amount of rideway, DOT rightway at this location. That's why it doesn't go all the way up there. Um, and just to give you Well, let me
get back. Um, the other thing I wanted to point out here is that the property is currently platted. You can see the lot lines on the screen. These are 5 acre and 20 acre agricultural parcels. They will get replatted to conform to the master plan that we're proposing uh
today. And the road is constructed in these uh the spine road here. And then there's two uh side roads in this location. As was mentioned, this was approved as a change from agricultural to industrial under certain strict conditions. These are the development
restrictions. There's no residential uses allowed on the property. There's the maximum 1.1 million square ft of industrial building area that's allowed. We [clears throat] have to proceed as a PUD. That's why we're here today to talk about uh the PUB agreement and the
public benefits and uh the text does require that we install at the at the developers expense a traffic signal at the intersection of Southwest Martin Highway and Stewart West Boulevard. Um and we are paying the full development of of or the full cost of all the Phil
the capital facilities needed to address the impacts of this pro of this project including water and sewer extensions. uh the the developer paid a significant amount of money uh to bring that service to the uh property in front which is the
Martin Gale Commons PUD. This is a transienttoriented uh commercial project that's been approved for decades. Um and this is the DOT rightway that I was speaking of. We are working with DOT now to finalize the design for the uh intersection
improvements. Uh this is the location of the fire station site. I'll show you that in a little more detail. Um, and this is the actual PUD property. Uh, we're separated from the fire station site by a conservation easement that is also maintained by Ashley Capital. Um,
and this is a a a closer view looking from the top of the uh just turning it sideways so you can see how the the site plan was developed. But again, [clears throat] uh we're at the intersection of Martin Highway. Uh to the we're looking east is
to the north or to the top of the screen. The fire station site. We've been working with the county on the fire station site, but they have been taking the lead on the actual site plan. So, we just got the um the legal description and sketch of the of the proposed site. It's in this location, and there's going
to be uh separate access for the fire station site, but we are not actually doing the site plan. And and I don't know if the county has a site plan to show you. Um but that if we can put the uh at least the legal description, but it it encumbers about six acres of
property right on this corner of the of the site. This is a 19 acre site of it's all usable uplands. There's no wetlands on it and no upland upland habitat that needs to be preserved. It's a clean piece of property. And again, we'll be separated from the PUB site by then. And
here's just a rendition of the of the plan that we gave you. Um the master plan, we're not showing all the buildings. We're trying to maintain flexibility so we don't have to come in with a PUD amendment every time we modify a parking space or a um a building, but that that master plan
that's before you today was derived from this concept plan, and it's very close to what we'll build. But again, we're trying to avoid the need for a PUD amendment. So, you're just seeing um the spine road that's being retained. These are access tracks um and the the the
lakes, but again, we're ma maintaining the existing lakes that have already been constructed uh along I95. We're expanding this lake somewhat. We're modifying this lake a little bit. We're removing the the paved um uh roads that
occur in this location and retaining the spine road that that's currently constructed. and that's where the water and sewer will be constructed on the spine row all the way out to uh 714. So, we're adding additional retention areas. These are dry retention areas that will
be vegetated with native landscaping. We're also maintaining a 50-foot buffer that exists along I95 corridor. So, that will be planted with native vegetation. In fact, all of the vegetation that we're doing is it will be native plant
material. [clears throat] Um so there are significant economic benefits provided by the developer in constructing this property. Um we're trying to fill a a current void in the community pro by providing industrial space for high value employment
opportunities. At the end of the project we will we will have paid up to $3 million in impact fees. Um $1.2 million in projected annual advorum real property taxes. $600,000 per year in projected annual tangible personal
property taxes. That's just an estimate. It could go way up. Um phase one includes all of the infrastructure as uh as Brian mentioned, all of the PAMP requirements, and we're also going to be constructing seven of the of the 16 buildings as part of phase one, which
will be about 500,000 square feet of building area. So uh right away you'll be seeing a significant uh impact in in uh in revenue production um in terms of the impact fees and advorum property taxes and is specifically designed I
think you know Ashley Capital um has specifically designed this to attract new small business industries and allow the retention and expansion of existing businesses. This is not South Florida Gateway. It's not uh um distribution in large warehouse facilities. All of these
buildings are from 20,000 uh I think from 20,000 up to 200,000 ft². There aren't million square foot or 500,000t buildings in this project. The [clears throat] additional benefits as was mentioned includes the donation of a fire station site on Southwest Martin
Highway. Again, we have given the county ultimate um uh uh flexibility and and providing that space to them in their preferred location and the the site plan that they prefer to have. Um it will include the retention areas and
everything needed to to to accommodate um the construction of a fire station site on that property. Um the other thing I wanted to mention is that when I showed you those preserve areas on on the lots, they were easements on the lots. They weren't separate tracks. And one of the things we're doing when we
replant this property is that all the preserve areas will be on separate common area tracks instead of easements on the individual lots. There'll still be a conservation easement over it, but um that will be it will be there will be separate preserve area tracks, not easements, which makes it easier uh for
the um the property owners association to maintain those areas. And I have to mention that um that Ashley Capital has spent significant sums of money uh cleaning up this site. It laid for about 15 years and they had to come in and
remove lots of exotic vegetation and restore the native habitat that existed on site. And we're also adding to the preserve areas by connecting the upland and wetland preserve areas um with with so that they're linked uh by native habitat. So, we're actually restoring
about 2.75 acres of habitat between the wetlands and the preserve area so that there's a contiguous preserve wetlands and native upland habitat that would maximize utilization by wildlife. And this is one of the few industrial projects that we're actually maintaining
the same amount of open space as agricultural would would would allow. So, instead of the minimum 20% open space, we're providing 54% open space overall. And as I mentioned, we're using 100% native plant species. We're preparing the phase one drawings now. We
hope we actually have submitted them and we're we're still working on them, but we hope to have phase one approved early next year and be under construction sometime next year with the first seven buildings. Uh the only PUD benefit the developer is requesting is the increase in height
from 30 feet to 40 ft. Um this is important. It's an industry standard to have at least 36 of clear ceiling height in the interior of the building for stacking and operation of of their equipment. Um it also allows maximum flexibility to address individual needs
of the tenants. Um, and it's not an impact to the surrounding property owners. We're we have a significant buffer along I95 that will screen the impact of those buildings from from the view. And the buildings that are closest to I95 will also have to meet the commercial design requirements in Martin
County. So, there'll be architectural enhancements on those buildings that are fronting I95 in addition to the native landscaping. Um, there are no adjacent neighborhoods or homes in the area, so there really aren't any impacts. uh uh
created by the additional height and we meet or exceed all of the other uh limited industrial zoning requirements, development criteria, storm water management requirements, open space and landscape requirements. So this is the
plan that you see on your um before you today. Again, it was derived from this concept plan. Uh these are the preserve areas and everything there that um is shown on that plan. So, uh, the I the most significant part of this
application is is is, uh, our client Ashley Capital. Uh, they have made the commitment, uh, to do this project. They came in a couple years ago and has been actively working in the community to to, um, enhance the quality of life throughout Martin County. And, but they
do have a proven track record. They have done this elsewhere throughout the nation. Um, and they do intend to operate this industrial park on the long term. It's not speculative. They're not selling lots to future developers. They are building the project. Um and and
they embrace the opportunity to to do this in Martin County to invest in public infrastructure to provide the opportunity for highways jobs and capital investment in Martin County and to enhance and maintain Martin Countyy's green infrastructure by maintaining a
significant amount of native habitat on the property. And with that understanding, I'll be glad to answer any questions. We do have representatives from Ashley the capital here as well. >> So before we get to that point, Morris, if I could uh ask you just a couple of just questions to finish up. You're
familiar with the uh Martin County Comprehensive Plan? >> I am. >> And you're familiar with the Martin County Land Development Regulations? >> Yes. >> And you prepared these plans? >> Yes. And in your professional opinion, do these plans and the pro and the project that's before the commission
today, does it meet all the rules and regulations of the Martin County Land Development Regulations? >> Yes. >> And is it consistent with the Martin County comprehensive plan? >> It is. >> Thank you. >> Stop it on the air. >> Yeah. So, uh, commissioners, just a couple of quick points to finish up. I
think we've shown through, uh, testimony, through your staff, through Mr. creating competent and substantial evidence that we meet the rules and the requirements with this uh project of the comprehensive plan and the land development regulations. I would like to add in addition to the competent and
substantial evidence um I I want to just point out a couple other things that I think add to this and number one you know uh you notice that there are not very many people here today that we heard some positive comments about this project. Uh we had a lot of meetings with the Steuart West and the
Cobblestone folks and I think it's a testament to what Ashley Cap tried to do and work with them that they aren't here and the in opposition to the project. I think that's important and I think just to add a little bit too about what Moore said, you know, Ashley Capital,
we want these kind of people in Martin County. I'm a Martin County resident. Jill Morasa who works on this project is a Martin County resident with Ashley Capital. Ryan Bloss is a Martin County resident. You know, we understand the importance of what occurs here in Martin
County and uh they have been phenomenal corporate citizens in this county and I think it's true an asset to have them. So with that, we'll be glad to answer any questions you might have. Thank you. >> Commissioner Campy, >> should you do you have public comment or no? >> Yeah, there is a public comment.
>> There's one. >> I'll go after the public comment. Uh Troy McDonald, would anyone else like to address us? Please fill out a request to speak form and get it to the baiff. >> Good afternoon. Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioners, uh I'm on here on behalf
of the business development board. Uh William couldn't make it today, so he asked me to come by and step in. Uh we have a need for this type of industrial, the smaller, especially the smaller spaces here in Martin County. there are businesses that are here uh looking to expand and grow and we're in a trans as
well as being in a transition economy of transitioning to more manufacturing. So I think this would be a a benefit to our uh industrial base and to our business uh economy and to our tax base. So uh respectfully request you all approve
this. So thank you very much and have a happy Christmas. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Commissioner Campy, back to you. back to me. Thank you. There's a lot of reasons I think that the concept of this project
would benefit Martin County. Um I mentioned it the other at our last meeting when we were talking about the toolbox um the value of commercial and industrial uh development in the county. I originally came up with the idea of
its value when I was thinking about this project and it also related to the toolbox. But the point I wanted to make, and I think each of us, if you've been following any of the news lately, the governor is well on his way to trying to
get a referendum on next year's ballot to eliminate to be the first state in the United States to eliminate uh property taxes for non-homesteaded uh residents, excuse me, for homesteaded residents. And um and that for most
people sounds like a terrific idea. But remember, we're also one of seven states that doesn't have personal income tax. And the state does not derive any of its income. I've I've listened to Governor DeSantis has been on making the circuit
on on a lot of the news channels, and I've been very interested listening to his philosophy on how this would work. The state's finances come from different sources than property taxes. that really
is weighs heavy on the local. Now, I think most people that have been paying attention realize that for decades, Martin County has been very heavily weighted uh in our tax collection on residential. That's because an average
healthy uh economic balance in any community would be roughly 10% industrial commercial. We're four. So certain counties if I and I would believe that if it does become a referendum
question it does have to have 60% I think most people if you ask would you like to pay property taxes yes or no most people are going to say no. So I I don't have a crystal ball but I would guess that it will probably pass. So
then it gets pushed back to the counties individually. Now, I also agree with the with the concept of of looking back at county's finances and taking a hard look, whether it's Doge or or anything like that, to look and see where do you
streamline, where do you make up this money. Certain counties, if you don't have to look far, if you think about St. Lucy County, Palm Beach County, and others. They have a real strong healthy mix of the different tax generation
uh opportunities, commercial, industrial, residential. So, a an elimination of homesteaded property taxes might not hit them as hard as it might hit us.
So now you think about a project like this that Ashley Capital would bring forward and you'd say how much more important now knowing what I just explained to you is a project like this. The good news for us um is as residents
and taxpayers is that Ashley Capital and Rick Morton and his team have been at this as Mr. Reigns had said for several years already. This is not something that they came up with in the spring and here they are less than six, seven, eight months later. This has been a
very, very long process partly by design. I remember when Knight Kiplinger came talking about this idea that he had of building basically a town out in western Martin County, originally called Pylon Prairie. Now everyone knows it as
Newfield. He did what Ashley Capital has been doing. He went around and spoke to every group that would listen, associations, homeowners associations, business association, taxpayers, individuals. I followed him around and
watched him do that presentation. Um, that turned into a once- in a multigenerational project. The last time I think something like Newfield had taken place was Martin Downs. Uh so every 50 years. And I don't want to
oversell this specific portion of a larger plan that Ashley has for Martin, but I think this is so timely and so needed for us. Um Knight Kiplinger, I call that the
Kiplinger process. And I think that Rick Morton and Ashley Capital have followed that same kind of a vibe. As Mr. Reigns had said, the room's not filled with people uh that live directly across the street from the project here screaming and yelling. And
in the early stages of the project, there were many people that were opposed. They in my district, they reached out to me and said over my dead body, they wanted none of it. They literally wanted none of it. And then through this process of community engagement, hey, everyone's been talking
about a Western Fire Station. It's just we couldn't figure out how to pull it off because you need someone's going to step in and generate some very, very valuable property, donate it. And then the traffic signal, anyone that, you know, I heard it this morning, uh Rick
Hartman had talked about, you know, early mornings on 714 or late nights on 714. And he's not wrong. It's dark and it's it's tricky over there. It's rural, but it's still got an entitrance to 95. So for the rural vibe that it is,
you still have the same entrance and exit to one of the busiest roads in the United States, just like in Bokeh and Fort Lauderdale and everywhere else. It just happens to be in rural Martin. And those traffic signals, we've all had um communities asking. And I know that Commissioner Heatherington's been
looking for a South River traffic signal for a long time. They're very expensive. And people say, "Well, why are they so expensive?" Because there's a tremendous amount of engineering and technology that's involved that you don't see when you're just waiting for the red or the
green. But it's they're very expensive. And to also offer that up, I think really gave the folks that lived across the street there in Steuart West and Cobblestone and everyone else that rides, you know, east to west on Martin Highway, those are things that would
have been way into the future uh for Martin County residents if it wasn't for what this project is bringing. So, let me just recap. From the point of view of will needed for our economic development countywide, the timing could not be better. [snorts]
From the level of quality of the project they're bringing, you know, as Mr. Krady said, this is going to be a class A facility. It's not going to be something that uh Ashley Capital puts together and then puts on the auction block to immediately sell off. He has a long
history, the company has a long history of maintaining and and managing what they build. That's very important for people to hear because when we decide on this applicant, it's going to be this applicant versus, hey, we fall in love
with an applicant and then 18 months later, it's someone brand new. So, I think that's an excellent uh advantage. And then finally, more on a personal note, when I had the opportunity to meet Rick Morton for the first time, and it's been several years,
he said what everyone says. We're going to get very involved in the community. We're going to be great community partners. We're going to to really, you know, support this new area that we have found. And I think everybody means that when they say it, but no one, literally
no one has done it to the degree that Rick Morton and his wife and Ashley Capital has done. Now, we had a couple of people come this morning and sort of whisper around about it because they get nervous about, you know, how do they support and not support House of Hope, United Way, but I mean,
all of us, the commissioners, we go to lots of events and there's five of us and we go to a lot of different types of events. I think it, you know, and I'm only speaking of Martin County because I know they do the same thing in St. Lucy. This is one of the most generous corporate uh entities that has ever
existed in in Martin County. And I thought about it before I said it, like is that really true? And I genuine believe that that's true. I don't think I have ever come across a family and a company that has done more for more organizations within the county. I could
we could fill the room with the people that would sing the praises of this company. And that's before they built anything. That's just laying out the money up front just to be um of remarkable partner for us. And I am
thrilled as well as the fact that the only thing they're asking for is a difference of 10 ft in height from 30 to 40. Anyone that's stepped in any kind of a commercial or industrial facility understands you need that that forklift height, that racking height, that that
clear ceiling height. And 40 is probably still an industry low compared to what some places have done. I know they have technology that allows you to stack 50, 60, 70 feet tall. Now, so if you couldn't tell, I'm very much in favor of
this project. I'm thrilled that it's in my district. I'm thrilled that Ashley is going to be part of our community for a long term hopefully. Uh and it's my pleasure to make the motion to accept this recommendation. >> Commissioner Heatherington. >> Well, I think you said it all. So,
[laughter] I'm just going to hit the highlights of my uh comments. I think this project has a just an unlimited potential economic benefits. Um if you I had an opportunity to go on a NAOP tour which stands for National Association of
Industry and I think office something Martin and St. Lucy and that bus tour was some of the most enlightening um educational experience that I've had looking at the demand, the pure demand that is out there for this type of
facility coming from all over and we don't have enough to supply that demand and I believe this is going to be a really good fit for that demand. So I put in here with their economic benefits and um the public benefits as well. I
mean the public benefits are tremendous. The traffic signal, as Commissioner Campy mentioned, this is one of the very few places that I've actually seen DOT warrant a traffic signal with a snap of a finger because it is absolutely necessary. And if you travel down that
road, you know what a benefit it is to have that traffic signal that will go in there as well as the land for the fire station. Um we heard some of the public commenters earlier talking about the need for uh faster service in western
Martin County. And then I would also say um as Campi mentioned um Ashley Capital has a very very good reputation not just here because but throughout the country of building highquality projects and
you've proven yourself to be an excellent corporate citizen and a supporter of the community. So I thank you for that and I will gladly support this project and second the motion. >> Commissioner Caps. for the benefit of people who don't
follow land use decisions in all of their spare time. As exciting as it is, >> to do so, I would like to remind us what this hearing is and what it's not. Uh
uh this is not a comprehensive plan amendment um or a zoning change that allows Martin Commerce Park to exist. Those decisions have already been made.
And so this is just a request to change the type of zoning from limited industrial to PUD zoning. And by going to PUD
zoning, we have the opportunity to [clears throat] negotiate for public benefits. And so I view that as a positive thing in this particular case to to look at the public benefits and to uh assess
whether they're adequate and generous. And it would seem to me that they are very generous. Um I started to call the fire station property that is being offered a golden egg, but I think it's probably a basket of golden eggs. Uh
when you think about the value of uh I think it's 5.7 acres of land right on Martin Highway, I can't imagine what that is worth. But you know, and when looking at public benefits that are
offered by uh developers and other sites around the county, uh they don't really compare to the value of that. Uh so I I think it's an extremely generous uh gesture to help remedy a very pressing
public need that's going to be coming in the future with the development of Newfield and with all the problems the people over at Steuart West Stewart Western Cobblestone have had with fires um and with the insurance problems that
all those people are have now and are going to have with the fact that so many of them are more than five five miles away from a fire station and that'll all get fixed with this new fire station on
that site. U there are other public benefits. There's more land going into upland habitat which is very noteworthy as well. I really appreciate the fact that you're going to be planting native trees. I'm I'm really into that. Uh, [clears throat]
I think that's uh noteworthy as well. So, I'm glad to support this and so that's what I'll be doing. Thank you. >> Would anyone else from the public like to address us on this matter? Seeing none, um, I'm looking at the PUD
agreement and about the traffic improvements. Has the FDOT warranted a stoplight on this pro at this parcel? Excuse me. Uh uh Deputy Growth Management Director
Pete Walden. Not at this time, but I guess you Okay, you got it. >> Let me just We'll answer your question, Commissioner. >> Okay. >> It's uh Can you go ahead and introduce yourself for the record, please? >> My name is Stephanie Alexis Garrow. I'm a transportation engineer with Kimley Horn Associates.
>> And have you been sworn in? >> I have. >> And can you state your credentials, please? So, I'm a licensed civil engineer with the state of Florida. I've been practicing um as an engineering professional since 2013, so a little over 12 and a half years. And I've been a licensed professional for eight of
those years. >> And can you identify the document that I'm showing you? >> Yes, it's my resume. >> And is it current? And >> yes. >> All right. I'd like to submit that as applicant three. >> And please go ahead answer any questions you can. Uh so as part of the
application process both with uh Martin County and going through county staff and as our as part of our approval process with FDOT, we have submitted a signal warrant analysis and have shown that we anticipate the you know that the signal will be warranted at this
location. We're currently in the process of of working out the timing and everything with FDOT. Our condition of approval from the text amendment indicates that the signal will be installed prior to first CO. It may need to be flashing for a little bit um while
the volumes are um you know while the individual buildings are being occupied in order for those volumes to be there to meet signal warrant criteria. And the reason for that is that FDOT typically looks at what we call warrant one which
considers traffic volumes for eight hours of a given day. And that's the reason why the signal is not considered warranted today, why we can't necessarily put that signal in at this moment. Um, based on the Steuart West volumes, it's because they do have uh
they do have traffic volumes that are utilizing that intersection on the Minor Street throughout the day, but the volumes are not quite high enough to to warrant the signal today, but they will warrant the signal in the future. >> Okay. So, I'm looking at the PUB
language and I know that you just said that that is uh that the warrant will be met and that it will be installed before the first CO, but I don't see that language in the
PUD. >> Uh there's it's it's and the reason that I don't see it is because it doesn't exist. >> No, it's required by the comp plan. So it will be required because you have to it's strict compliance with our comp plan but it is required with the comp plan. So the Bud agreement just provides
that from the beginning till the time that that signal is uh transferred to FOT that the applicant will pay the whole thing but the comp plan requires it to be installed by the first CO. So that's a requirement um regardless of anything. So the requirement is there.
So the PUD is just addressing who's going to pay for the the entire process of the traffic signal from beginning to end before it goes to FD dot. >> So the comprehensive plan amendment that created this is where the requirement is
that the uh before the first certificate of of occupancy is issued that the light will be installed. >> Correct. That's >> even even if it doesn't meet warrant. And to to clarify a little bit, the um
the signal could be installed under flashing um mode. >> It could be under flashing for 5 years if you don't meet the warrant. >> We would anticipate it to be warranted prior to that. Um but the we we understand the the concern there.
However, the the reason for that is that there are, you know, if you install a signal prior to those volumes being there, then you are stopping volumes on Martin Highway. Um, and that can lead to safety concerns if people are not anticipating if drivers are not
anticipating to to stop at that signal. I I'm I'm just concerned that the uh people in Stewart West and Cobblestone think that there's going to be a stoplight that's going to be installed uh within the next year and that's just not the case. It won't be installed
until it's warranted and it may not be warranted until phase five. >> Let me let me just let me ask Stephanie. I understand your question, Commissioner. So I think the intent and I'm going to ask her a question if she can confirm it. So my understanding is
that it could be the the traffic signal itself will be installed. We'll pay for the installation of it and it will be a flashing until it is warranted. But we will meet the requirement of installing the light, the signal, the mast arms and
that that that stuff. Is that correct? >> Yes, that's yes that's correct. So then the Steuart West people will come back and say, "Why is it not functioning properly?" We still have the same problem. >> Yes, they will. >> Well, it won't be it won't be
functioning improperly. It just it will be a flashing light >> until that time, which is still better than anything it has because it'll be a caution light and then it would be operational. Is that correct? >> Yeah. But if it's but if it's in place for five years, people are just going to blow through it and ignore it,
>> Mr. Donaldson >> um only to uh add that the uh the DOT adds um uh when I view was put in to anticipate this light. So that requirement was put in based upon uh prior documents that DOT has anticipated
it. Um we believe that there's uh the DOT is looking at a PD&E study on I95 and has added some confusion with their staff. We plan to clarify with them and see about um ensuring that the light gets um fully operational as uh as as
soon as possible. >> How are you going to do that? You have to meet warrants for traffic. >> The >> how are you going to guarantee that there's enough traffic to warrant a light? the we have worked on traffic signals in this county often times in
with differences of opinion with DOT and there are numerous times that you all have been successful at getting those lights installed >> and I would expect the same to occur in this situation because the Steuart West the DOT promised Steuart West a signal
they were existed prior to 95 there's been a signal anticipated here for what 30 years. So, um at least or 40 years. Um um any event, um uh it is it is staff's intent that should this be
approved today uh or even if it's not approved to continue to work with DOT and get that signal um uh uh installed and operational as they promised 40 years ago. >> I'm going to call the question. There's a motion and a second. All those in
favor? I >> I >> opposed. That motion passes unanimously. >> Huh? >> I thought we were heading down a different path. >> No, but this is >> I got a signal in Danforth. >> Ask Ask her about traffic signals.
>> No one's going to pay for it. >> Chairperson, would you mind if I said something? Just one minute. >> Sure, by all means. >> Thank you. First of all, happy holidays to everybody. I hope everybody has safe holiday. >> Get in a little closer. >> Excuse me. Thank you, Commissioner. >> And first of all, identify yourself for the record. Thank you,
>> Mr. Morton. I work with Ashley Capital. Um it's been long several years and I appreciate everybody on the dis and everybody on the staff for what they've done. Uh I appreciate the kind words. Uh and chairperson Erd, I I know this is
probably not your favorite project, but at the conclusion, I'm going to do my best to make sure you're proud of what's there and that uh and you will uh hopefully at least soften your view on how it is. So, It's it's it's a I think it's a fine
project. I just don't want to overpromise because then you're going to underdel and I don't think that I I don't think the DOT is predictable. >> Oh, I'm I'm concerned about that as well. I I couldn't agree with you more. So, >> thank you all.
>> Congratulations. Appreciate it. Happy holiday. >> Merry Christmas. >> Any further comments? We will take a lunch break and return at 2:30, I think. >> Thanks for powering through as well. >> [clears throat] Part: 2
We are back taking up public hearing number one which is a public hearing and final assessment resolution for the Coral Gardens wastewater municipal service benefit unit. Mr. Petty, >> good afternoon.
>> Good afternoon. >> We've got a little PowerPoint presentation. >> Ready? Uh, might not say good morning, but uh, good afternoon. For the record, Leo Repetti with Martin County Utilities on their Tech Services Administrator. Um, here today to talk about the Coral
Gardens wastewater assessment final public hearing. Uh, here we go. Uh, this is a vacuum-based septic sewer program to serve 631 single family residences in the Coral Gardens
community. uh Coal Gardens community is bounded by US1 in Willoughby uh just south of Pomeroy. Um the uh in addition to the U MSBU that's going to be uh part of the assessment to fund the project, the remaining funds come from an $8 million
Protecting Florida Together water quality grant, about a million dollars in state revenue sharing funds, about a million and a half of FPNL franchise fees, and just over $400,000 in contributions from utilities. Come on,
touchy mouse. Here we go. Uh, the cost associated with this 14 just just over $14 million. Uh, when we bid this project out, our uh engineers cost estimate was $18.5 million. So the fact that this came in under the engineering
cost estimate was encouraging that our prices are stabilizing and uh it gives us uh some hope for the future uh projects and that uh we're not continuing this great escalation of construction prices. Uh the total project roughly $18.1 million.
Uh when you uh take out the grant and the other contributions the total assessment for this project is about $7.2 million. You take the 631 properties, divide it into that 7.2 million, and each resident would pay $11,43846,
which is under the $12,000 cap that uh the board has asked us to to uh uh to provide. Uh we have state uh uh revolving fund financing at 1.83% 83% and for those who don't do the
prepayment, they uh be put on their tax bill for 20 years. So the 1.83% helps keep that number uh down down low. Uh typical Martin County utility resident, uh uh we have about 40,000 uh
water customers. They average about 6,000 gallons. So, if a customer currently connected to water, which I think all but maybe one or two in Coal Gardens is connected to water, uh they would have uh an increased water bill of about $51. That works better. A little about uh
schedule. We last met with the board back on October 21st. Since then, in the past six weeks or so, we've had two public hearings, one in the community workshop, one to discuss specifically the uh assessment process. Uh we answered questions. We passed out
frequently asked questions flyers. Um and uh generally the mood was uh uh upbeat and positive uh about having this come into into their neighborhood. uh today, December 9th, uh should this be approved by the board of county commissioners, uh our next step would be
to award the construction contract, which is a later uh item on uh uh departmental and we would then start the process of getting shop drawings and approvals and things like that, bonds, whatnot with the contractor uh with an
anticipated construction start of February of uh next year. and the duration is about uh 18 months which puts it early summer of uh 2027. Um the lumpsum payments the assessment
would be due uh that uh prepayment due is either August 1st or 15th. I've got two numbers of 2027 and if they choose to spread out over the 20 years it would be on their November 2027 tax bill. So, in closing, staff recommends that
the board adopt a final assessment resolution to create the Coral Gardens municipal wastewater municipal service benefit unit and that the board authorized the county administrator or designate to execute any documents related to the request. And if there's any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.
>> Questions public? >> I have two request to speak uh forms from the public. The first is Mary Gavin. Do you want to speak on this item? >> It's not on this item. >> Okay. What item is is it on? >> On the brown field.
>> Okay. Then Dustin Bishop. >> Hello everyone. My name is Dustin Bishop and I do reside in Coral Gardens. Um, they did a wonderful job with their presentation. Sorry, I'm a little taller than I think the last person that was here. Uh they did a wonderful job coming
and presenting to us. I did attend the workshop. Um they answered all of the questions that we had. Um we live at the very end of Coral Gardens. So the foot bridge that comes over Willoughby ends in my driveway. So one of our main concerns was with the children because that's why we bought the house 20 plus
years ago. Um and he cleared that up for us. You know, there will still be gates all along there so the children will still be safe. Um I am for this 100%. Um, I could be paying the full amount of it without the grant. It wouldn't bother me. I would still be for it, but I don't
understand why anybody would be against this knowing that right now there is a grant that offsets a large portion of that amount of money. Uh, House Bill, I think it was 1378, specifies we got to convert anyway by 2030. So, we can
either pay for it now at a reduced rate or in 5 years we got to do the same thing at a higher rate. It doesn't make any sense. I'm 100% for this. Um, thank you guys for your time. Um, I hope this gets approved. Thank you for the effort that you put into it. He had a a few
naysayers, but um, a lot of that was communication that I think the real estate agents didn't give to him when they moved into the community less than a year ago. We all known this is coming. I've got plenty of documentation stating this. I got plenty of documentation
saying when this meeting was, when the meeting was for um at the uh college, so I hope you guys will approve this. Um it means a lot to to us. And also um we do care about the Indian River Lagoon as well. We're kayakers. Ed knows us. We're
scouters, so we've done this for many years. Um we took many scouts out. Um so looking forward to clean waterways as well so that we can have a safe time with our friends and family and scouters. So thank you all. Thank you. >> You're a modeled resident, Mr. Fish.
>> Come back often. >> Go to other neighborhoods, too. >> Commissioner Heatherington, >> I was just going to say this is a long- aaited project, and I want to thank staff for, as you just heard, um Dustin just say, you did a phenomenal job in
educating and communicating all the different um aspects of this projects to the community. you made my job really easy and the community is um I think by by and large very much in support and look forward to the project being under
construction and completed and then our road paving to be done. So I would gladly motion staff's recommendation for approval. >> Second. >> Commissioner Campy, anything else? >> Just briefly to say uh job well done from staff. Um I'm very happy for the
folks in Coral Gardens. uh looking forward to having this exact same conversation about Palm City >> and Rocky Point >> and Palm City and Port >> and Palm City. That's great that that prices are are
modulating some somewhat. >> Yeah, it it really uh it it surprises you put out your best foot forward uh as uh county staff. We don't want to be the lowest bidder. you. So, uh uh this worked out that um uh we got some good pricing and the pricing between the the
first and the second uh lowest bidder uh were within uh a few percent of each other. So, we got some good tight bids. It wasn't a an anomaly. And the bidder uh Felix Civil Construction, I believe, is uh the same entity that did the North of the Shores vacuum project. So, they
have experience and uh they're they're uh uh a solid qualified uh contractor to do this work. >> Fantastic. That means that we'll get good bids for the next project. >> And I don't mean to discount the folks that financially this is I I mean we're happy and I know that most people are happy and I get that not everyone can
just easily afford this, but I think in the big picture for the neighborhood, the value of the neighborhood and the individual homes. It's important to do. I know it's it can be a financial hardship for some, but you have to continue to bring these projects forward both environmentally and I think just
for the betterment of the community. So, we get that not everyone is in love with the idea, but I think universally it's the right strategy. >> And the the $754 a year in the assessment is about $2 a day. >> Yeah. >> Yes.
>> Commissioner Caps, >> I also want to thank staff. I know you guys have been working on this for probably several years and great job. And I I also want to thank the more senior members of this board for making subject to sewer a
priority in Martin County. You know, um I've only been here a year and but this was set as a a priority by some of uh my predecessors and I uh think it was a is a very loudable goal
and it's going to do a lot to to help our waterways. Uh, thank you to the rest of you. >> Appreciate it. >> Any other questions or comments? There's a motion in a second. All those in favor? >> I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you very much. >> Thank you.
>> We will backtrack to uh board and committee appointments, shall we? To uh community redevelopment agency agency chair and vice chair designations. >> Susan's not here just yet. Well, we'll take that we'll take that up
when she gets here. We'll take up something else. >> Are you okay doing it on your own? >> I guess. >> Sure. >> Oh, you don't want that. >> Your code states that you >> want to pull the microphone? you, the board of county commissioners, will
designate a member of the CRA as the chair and a member as the vice chair. >> Okay. Current vice chair is Michael Redling. >> Yes. >> And chairman is Robert Krebs.
>> I would make a motion that we elevate the vice chair, Michael Redling, to become the chair. >> Yep. Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I >> opposed. That motion passes unanimously. And vice chair, how do we go about this?
>> I think we'd have to hear from Susan on like I've always felt that this in particular, this part group should advance a recommendation to us because otherwise we're just I see she's coming. >> She's Clyde's plan D
long way. >> Yeah, he's blocking her. So, we'll give her another minute. He clearly did not listen to >> No, he's he's got about Jim's holding the handle. Miss right to
the front, please. >> We've already elected a chair. We've elevated um Michael Redling to chair and we don't know what to do about vice chair. >> So, I have a recommendation. Um Susan Corz, Office of Community Development. motion that Susan Cororus become vice oh I'm sorry
>> please um so I would recommend uh Cynthia Hall uh she has not been a vice chair or a chair for years and she does her term does go out to 29 some of them only go to 27 which might make it a little bit dicey next year
>> I would make a motion that Cindy Hall become vice chair I know her a long time she's very involved in the community she's very professional uh smart person would be an excellent uh elevation Agree. Second. >> There's a motion in a second. All those in favor? I
>> opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Now we'll move. >> And we saw Clyde Doulan trying to like check you out of the out of the position in the lobby. >> Tell me noticed. >> We'll now go to public hearing number two, which is a public hearing to adopt notice of intent resolution required by
section 197 3632 Florida statutes for special assessments. Uh, good afternoon, Commissioner. >> Afternoon, Mr. Duncan. >> Uh, for the record, David Duncan, senior project manager with the utilities and
solid waste department. Uh this is a public hearing to adopt a non-binding resolution declaring the board's intent to use the uniform method of collection for non non-advelorum assessments for a proposed series of special assessments that may be imposed
within certain municipal service benefit units to be established for road paving an ancillary drainage dredging services facilities and water and wastewater projects.
Section 197.3632 Florida statute requires that the county holds a public hearing and adopt a resolution of intent to use the uniform method of collection for any assessment program in the calendar year
prior to any such collection. The resolution, which does not obligate the county either to use the uniform method of collection or to impose anyone's special assessment, must be adopted by January 1st, 2026
and sent to the tax collector, the property appraiser, and the department of revenue by January 10th of 2026. Additionally, section 197.3632 requires that the notice of public hearing to adopt the resolution of
intent be published for four consecutive weeks immediately preceding the date of the hearing. The notice of intent was properly advertised and the affidavit of publication of the intent notice of intent will be part of this resolution.
The notice of intent allows the county to meet its statutory notice requirements necessary to use the uniform collection method. The resolution to be adopted today is a non-binding and the board may
reduce the geographic area covered by any future assessment or decide not to impose any special assessment at a later date. By adopting the resolution, the board is simply preserving the right to use the uniform collection method
beginning in November of 2026 for projects implemented prior to such date. Staff's recommendation is for the board to accept the public comment and adopt the resolution of intent to use the uniform method of collection for
nonadalorum assessments. That concludes my presentation. >> Questions for Mr. Duncan? Commissioner Caps. So what would be the other option? Not that I am inclined to think that it would be the best. I just want to know
about it. Like if you you have to apparently express your intent to use the uniform method of collection. Is there another way we could go on this that would be based not that's not uniform? Perhaps it
would be based upon the value of the homes and the community or something like that. How would that work? current method we use. Um, >> right. Is there is there it appears that that there might be
>> other options besides this that commissioner for the record Samson utilities and department director. We typically use a uniform method because it goes on the tax role serves all the benefiting proper properties equally and they pay the same rate if you will right >> or same fee uh and allows us to do it
over time. see in a 10 year, 15 year or 20 year assessment. Um, but that's the typical method that we've used historically. >> Um, if there's other methods, I'm not quite familiar with it, but this is the most common for local government, >> right? It would seem to me that maybe
there if there is an alternative method that it perhaps would be based on the value of the houses or something like say say you have a couple of McMansions on the street and then a couple of modest homes on the street and a uniform would mean they're all paying the same
and not uniform would probably mean that they're paying a different assessment based upon the value of the property perhaps. >> Yeah. So the commissioner um this is for municipal services benefit units which is the when we're looking at the project
the property itself is is calculated as the benefit the you know whether it's a sewer line or pavement and then there's some or drainage there's a calculation that the the size of the lot might play into it or the amount of front footage or ex you know we have we we develop
what's called a um a standard unit that you would apply and and in or and in and in in order to use to to put it on the tax roll, this advertisement and this list of projects um in order to go on next year's tax
role has to be advertised this way. So, for instance, Coral Gardens, which you just heard a few minutes ago, had was included in our list uh at this hearing last year in December so that it could be considered to be an MSBU project. Um
and so these are all individual where we're assessing the property based upon the benefit derived. There are MSTUS which we have in our budget which are derived uh a taxable unit which is based upon appraised value and it has different rules on how you can spend the
funds if that's what you're looking at. >> Yeah, I that's kind of what I'm getting at that the difference between the MSTU and the MSBU. Okay, that's interesting. Thank you. >> Any further questions? Would anyone from the public like to address us?
>> There a motion. >> I'll move staff's recommendation for approval. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Mr. Duncan. >> Thank you. We will now move on to
public hearing number three, which is adoption of a resolution approving the surplus disposition of county-owned property located at the northwest corner of Southwest Martin Highway and Southwest Palm City School Avenue in Palm City. >> Palm City.
>> Good afternoon, commissioners. Sebastian Fox, senior assistant county attorney for the record. Um, this is a public hearing to consider adoption of a resolution approving the surplus disposition of county-owned property uh located at 3500 Southwest Palm City
School Avenue. Um, a bit of history on this parcel. Back in March of 24, the board directed staff to prepare a request for a proposal uh for the sale of this property. In January of 25, the board approved a preliminary RFP to
designate the property as surplus and to pursue the sale and redevelopment of the property pursuant to CRA guidelines. And on July of 2025, the board accepted a proposal from the Metalist Building Group for the sale and development of the property. Um, the property is
currently under under contract with an anticipated closing date at the end of January. Uh, this item has been properly advertised per Florida statutes and staff would request that the board adopt a resolution approving the surplus disposition of this county-owned
property and authorize the county administrator or designate to execute all documents related to the request, including but not limited to the county deed and other closing documents. And I'm happy to answer any questions uh that commissioners may have. >> Mr. Campy.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Fox, for that recap. to remind the residents this was a piece of property that was going to have uh a development on it that was really a lot of people felt out of character for that specific portion of
Palm City. Uh our staff uh along with uh a handful of others got together and were able to work out u I think a a real strong opportunity for the residents. the county held on to some of it. That gave us access to Danforth Creek, which
we were sorely lacking for maintenance, egress, and egress. And uh and now we were able to um create a deal for the property that's in the works. Again, thanks to Real Property and Legal for
putting that together. Uh and this is just the next logical step in the process. I would make a motion to accept staff's recommendation. >> Second. Would anyone from the public like to address us? Is this a different size of than the
parcel that we approved on July 8th? >> No. >> And can you can somebody describe to me the um map uh the parcel boundary on page 243? Explain the presumably the part
that's in uh green is the county's parcel. Yeah, there's a portion to the the west of Southwest Newbury Court that's going to be conveyed back to the county at closing by quick claim deed. Um there's some easements that are going to be running over that property uh for
the benefit of the property east of Newberry Court. And that sliver right there is is what will allow uh for the maintenance of the creek as commissioner referenced. >> Okay. >> Madam Chair, I just had one other question while we're here. Some
residents of the neighborhood behind it had mentioned that they had heard that Newberry Court, the Southwest Newbury Court has there's a possibility that it would be closed. That's not that's not a thing, right? >> Jim Gordon, public works director. No.
Uh there is no intent to close Southeast Newberry Court. There is uh likely to be a connection from Newberry over to Palm City School A, which will allow the the neighbors in on Newberry to exit at a signalized intersection, which will make make it a lot easier for them to go
east. Correct. >> On uh County Road 714, but there is no intent to close that road. >> And the future owner of the property won't have the ability to close that road separate from us. Correct. >> No, they won't have the ability to close. >> Thank you very much. >> Any further questions? Is there a motion
in a second? I think there is there's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. >> We'll now move on to public hearing number four, which is a legislative public hearing to consider transmitt of
comprehensive plan amendment 25-04, accessory dwelling units, a text amendment. >> Good afternoon, Miss Offenbach. >> Hello again. My name is Amy Offenbach, planner with the growth management
department. This is comprehensive plan amendment 25-04, propo proposed text amendments for accessory dwelling units, otherwise known as ADUs. This was initiated by the board of county commissioners in the furtherance
of providing affordable housing and proof of public notice was turned in at the local planning agency on December 4th. So the request is to change chapter 2 and chapter 4 of the comprehensive
growth management plan. And this is just a brief overview of the proposed changes and staff would be happy to go into further detail after the presentation if needed. So in chapter two of the comprehensive
plan, the term accessory dwelling units will be updated and this represents living quarters on single family lots and a new term employee dwelling units will be added to describe living quarters on non-residential properties.
And this term will be replacing an outdated term um further in the plan that describes living quarters on uh for night watchman's quarters or custodians quarters.
So in chapter four of the comp plan in under goal 4.9, a policy will be added for accessory dwelling units containing the criteria for accessory dwelling units. And this will replace multiple instances of ADU criteria elsewhere in
the plan. And also a policy will be added for employee dwelling units to represent non-residential properties. Under goal 4.13, a line of text will be added to allow ADUs in each future land use designation
that allows single family dwellings excluding the mobile home future land use. And these are all the future land use designations that will allow them. Also under goal 4.13, edus will be
permitted on non in non-residential future land use designations that have historically permitted night watchman's quarters or uh custodians quarters. And this is a legislative hearing that
requires three uh public hearings. The first was on December 4th, 2025 at the local planning agency and they voted 4 to zero in recommendedation of approval and this is
the second public hearing December 9th, 2025 to consider transmitt to the state and local planning agencies and the third will be sometime in January 2026 for approval.
And so staff recommends approval of CPA 25-04 accessory dwelling units on the basis that the proposed amendments are consistent with the comprehensive plan and Florida state statutes and more res restrictive or burdensome requirements
are not imposed prior to October 1st, 2027. And lastly, the affordable housing committee affordable housing advisory committee or AHACK has supported staff's recommendation. And this concludes the
presentation. We'd be happy to answer any additional questions. >> Commissioner Caps, >> I spoke to uh the county attorney about this issue, but um I thought perhaps it might be good to mention it publicly.
You know, there are a lot of people in the county who already have a guest house. And a and a guest house can be half the size of the main house, and it's not supposed to be rented. It's supposed to be used for temporary
um living quarters for family and guests. It's a guest house and it doesn't have a separate address and or a separate mailbox or a separate um water meter or a separate separate
electric bill. It's all kind of the main part of the main house and that's the way the guest house works and there there are quite a few of them in the county. Now, if this were to pass, um would would those people be able to
come in and convert theirs to an accessory dwelling unit, which is different where you you get to rent it out to someone? You can you can get a second mailbox, a second water bill, a separate electric bill, and legally rent
the place out. And so what happens to the guest houses that perhaps someone might want to turn into an ADU? >> So essentially uh staff will be bringing forward some uh proposed tax amendments to the land development regulations and
the accessory dwelling units or ADUs will replace the term guest house. Mhm. >> And so these are the criteria that will be included in that land development regulations which is already in the comp plan right now. >> Mhm.
>> With some additions like compatible with Florida building codes, but essentially we're not taking away any rights, >> right? And >> they will be able to be rented out, >> right? And I suppose there'll be some
procedural some process. They would have to come in and fill out papers and maybe pay some fees or something. No, they would just call FPL and say, "Hey, I would like a separate electric bill." And call their water utility and say, "I would like the
water bill separated now." You know, and and just they just deal directly with those. >> Yeah. >> Commissioner Clyde Dulan for the record. Comprehensive Planning Administrator. Currently, neither guest houses nor the proposed regulations for ADUs deal with
the issues of a separate address or separate electrical or separate utilities. Um, currently, if you have a guest house, you can have a separate address. If you have a guest house, you could have a separate uh utility feed
from FPL. These regulations have not in the past, nor are they we planning to get into regulating those specifics. >> Okay. So, so there's nothing really they have to do procedurally to to uh to basically treat it as an ADU.
>> Correct. >> Right. And then I was thinking there are some other limitations on how ADUs would apply. you know, they don't they don't apply in homeowner associations, right?
>> Homeowner association has its own regulations and rules regarding that. We're what we're working on here are the county's comprehensive plan policies and at a future public hearing, we'll be bringing you the regulations for the land development regulations that are applicable, but HOA rules are separate
and unrelated. >> Okay? And then if someone wanted to build an ADU, they would have to honor all of our setback rules and lot size rules and that kind of thing. >> Yes. All land development regulations
will be have to comply um through the building department at permitting. >> On the screen um Amy has up the some specific requirements for ADUs that are being put into the comp plan with this proposed change. uh only one permitted
ADU for each single family dwelling. Uh it shall not exceed one half the square footage of the primary dwelling which is the same kind of language as we've required for guest houses all along. Um, an ADU shall not count as a separate unit for purposes of density, and
neither the ADU nor the land it occupies shall be sold or conveyed separately from the primary dwelling since it is an accessory to and it must be part of uh it can't be separated from uh the primary dwelling. >> Thank you,
>> Commissioner Vargas. >> Yeah. Um I'm familiar with these um accessory dwelling units. Uh, I just have a couple of questions. If the primary property is on well and septic, how do you handle that? Is that a health
department thing? >> Yes, the health department would do the permitting for well and septic. >> Okay. And what about driveways? You know, people have cars, they have to park them somewhere. How does that work in a neighborhood that's not deed restricted
>> in the same way that it would be dealt with on the single family dwelling? because this is really just an extension of and a part of the single family dwelling. >> So then they would um they have to ask for a permit to pave, take out grass,
put, you know, put in a driveway >> if a driveway is needed. If additional driveway is needed, then yes, they would >> and they make application through the county to do that. Okay. um you know because that can change the character of a neighborhood
tremendously. Yeah, it can. Um the other thing is um is there a limitation or regulation the number of people in a home? I mean you could have a twobedroom I understand half the size of the principal residence. I understand the six people living there. How does how does that
work? >> Uh the definition of family is found in our land development regulations. Mhm. >> Um and at a future public hearing, we'll be discussing a a internal consistency or or making the definition the same in all of our zoning districts, but
typically it's the definition is um any number of uh people related uh by blood or marriage and five unrelated persons is the definition of family. But that's my my paraphrase of the definition. Of
course, I'm not reading it verbatim. >> Okay. on a single property. >> Right. So today we're we're not addressing that issue. We're going to have another hearing. Is that what I'm understanding? >> Yes. The land development regulations will need to be amended to uh implement these particular comp comp plan policies
and additional specificity and detail will be found in the land development regulations. >> Okay. So this is just a preliminary. Do we want to allow them in the county? This is >> correct proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan which the land
development regulations implement. So these are just broad um rules basically for land development regulation and then once we get to the uh LDR changes we'll go into more specific um standards for
development. >> Understand the board will then have a presentation. Is that point we can say >> or we say all right >> and this we'll come back too. This is just for a transmitt to the state to review and then we'll come back with this one also.
>> Commissioner Campy. >> Thank you Madam Chair. Um I'm very pleased that we're here today. Um, I'd like to thank Rob Reer, who's sitting out there, who I know he and a group of citizens, professionals, and and
stakeholders that I've had the advantage to participate in have been working on on I'm fearful when we say affordable housing. It has a connotation that people think it's like public projects or government-owned. I'm thinking more
of housing that is affordable instead of affordable housing. Uh we have had issues for many many years uh of specifically in Martin County the way that we have structured our overall sort of residential philosophy had made it
difficult for people to build you know housing that's affordable. We call it essential housing. Or there's also the concept that the only way you can really make those business decisions work is with density, increased density. And that's not really something that
universally Martin County residents are are super interested in. To do that, you would have to create these largecale projects. Not that there are not some that are very well done. And hopefully in the future, we'll be discussing smallcale versions of something beyond
one at a time. But when this had originally come up at a joint meeting and I was giving us an sort of a an analogy of the person that was throwing starfish back into the water. If you remember, there's an old story about
this guy is walking on the beach and he sees a kid throwing starfish into the ocean and the beach is littered with starfish. And he says, "What are you doing?" He's like, "Well, I'm trying to save these starfish." And the man says, "Well, you know, it's not going to make a difference. there's thousands of starfish on the beach and the boy throws
another one into the ocean. He goes, "Well, I made a bit I made a difference for that one." And so I look at what we're doing here incrementally, this ADU is just another opportunity. We're not going to solve the housing issue, affordability issue in Martin County.
But for us to look at the issue so large that we say we're paralyzed to do anything and I know that it started as a grassroots but the staff and quite often the meetings that we had some I participated in some I didn't the staff
really embraced it and you know community members can have an idea but staff has to do all the heavy lifting and you did and I know and you'll continue to do it so I really appreciate it. The advantage is twofold. Not only are you creating another opportunity for
someone that either is working here to live here, who grew up here to stay here and work and live here, but it's also an excellent opportunity for homeowners to create an additional income stream by
creating this. Now, some people, as Commissioner Cap said, some people have guest houses. All of us know someone that was renting something to somebody else above the garage or a back room or or something and had having to be sort of under the
table with that allegedly. This gives those folks the opportunity to bring those projects forward and legitimize them with FPL, with this health department for sanitation, with the water, with the IRS and whoever else might be wondering how does these things
work. It creates opportunities for folks that are seeing their expenses get bigger and bigger with no especially people on fixed income or retirees, which we have a tremendous amount of. And if in your mind you're thinking, well, they're going to build something
in the backyard. It's there's dozens of different variations that an accessory dwelling unit could be. And so it's not so much that I know that when I was talking to um some people that live in
Hilton Head and it's an island and so where do their staff where does the staff do they leave the island every single night that work on the island? And they said no we live in frogs and I was like what's a frog? And a frog is a furnished room over garage.
And in Hilton Head, frogs have been a thing forever because that's just how they've solved that issue. Now, for o for for those of us that are leerary of development and runaway development, imagine if this was an opportunity that
went through all of the LDR requirements and got you to the finish line. Let's say it's a couple of thousand people in the whole entire county. That's a couple of thousand units that no one will ever see. You'll never drive down the street and be like, "Oh my god, look at this
this project." It'll just sort of filter in and 2,000 people or a couple of thousand people will have the opportunity to live and work reasonably right here. I make a motion to accept staff's recommendation.
So these uh accessory dwelling units don't count as any portion of a unit. >> No. >> And they can be they are separate living spaces. They are equipped with kitchen
and bathroom and bedroom facilities. It can be attached or detached. So, let's say your your land use is one unit per acre and you have a 3,000 square foot house on your acre and you build an
accessory dwelling unit of 1500 uh square feet and it has, you know, it's a separate unit with two bedrooms, two baths, and you're allowed one unit per acre on that acre, but you've got one and a half houses.
You got two houses. You got two houses. >> Yes, that's correct. Um, >> we're defining this as one house. >> One house, but it's not the same house. >> But it's not. They're detached. And we know that they have separate facilities. It's it's in the it's in the definition.
It says that they are equipped with kitchen and bathroom and bedroom facilities. >> It also depends on the development standards. um if if they can fit it within the setbacks and all the open space and if they have septic they have
certain um limits on that as well. So and it doesn't include any uh garages or porches. So it's on just air conditioned area. So look at the at the uh they're allowed in core
>> and the maximum building coverage shall be 40% minimum net lot size permitted shall be 10,000 square feet. What if you're at that? What if you're at the max? >> You mean if the existing residence is at the max? >> Yes. >> Then it wouldn't be permitted. >> Can't do it.
>> Okay. So say if you're marine waterfront commercial and you are at 20 units per gross acre, it says that one ADU may be permitted as an accessory structure.
>> It depends on uh what the property is developed with. So uh marine water >> 20 units per acre say you're at the max. It says that you're allowed an ADU. >> Yes, that's correct. If it's developed with a single family, you can have one ADU per
>> even though you're already at the max. >> However, allow me to to back up just a second. The marine waterfront commercial future land use designation that's implemented by the the appropriate zoning district allows 10 residential
units per acre, 20 hotel units per acre, not to be confused with each other. >> Okay? So, if you're doing 10 units per acre, you're probably doing multifamily. You're not doing a bunch of single family because you're not going to fit them all single family units on there.
And this is only permitted as an accessory to a single family. So, and if you're if by some stretch you could get say eight units per acre and they're all single family, then yes, you would be able to do an accessory to each of those
single families because it is part of the single family dwelling. >> Say you're on your setback is 20 ft. Um, you're within the you're you're at right at the uh your setback. Are you allowed
an accessory dwelling unit? >> You would not be able to violate the setbacks in order to make this possible. >> Okay. >> If I might jump in, I would say more people that would want this probably will not qualify for one of the reasons
that Commissioner Herd is mentioning or not then will. It's not going to be a floodgate. Like I think some people would like this, but they won't be able to, whether it's parking setbacks, 2,000 gallons per day, uh using up more of the property than they're allowed.
So, I think it's an idea that people would be interested in, but I think we'll be saying no to as many people as more so than we would be saying yes. You have to have a very unique set of property circumstances for this to work. And also this provision shall not
prohibit employee dwelling units on properties developed for non-residential uses like industrial. >> So let's let's talk about the employee dwelling unit. Commissioner, thank you for bringing that up. U we have certain land use designations like marine waterfront commercial that are currently
permitting uh night watchman's quarters and uh we have land development regulations that that implement that. We haven't had real good con, you know, the language hasn't been really consistent between the LDR and the comp plan on that. And so we're we're cleaning up that language to use
the the .edu in both cases. And we're keeping the same standards for those night watchman's quarters as we had previously. In many respects, both on the night watchman's quarter or edu issue and on the guest house or ADU issue, we are
following very much the same standards, the same provisions that the comp plan and the LDRs have had previously. The major differences are in the ADU that that Commissioner Caps talked about, and that is it can be rented. Except that we're not except that in in a case like
like one unit per acre, we're allowing two units per acre even though the land use clearly specifies that one unit is allowable. But we're now saying ah you can you can put two on there. And the
definition of family is any group of up to six persons occupying a single dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit and sharing common facilities. Those people don't have to be related. It just it turns it it it allows for a
flop house. So that has been permitted historically for many years and we can't do anything that's more restrictive or burdensome. So, we kept that language the same. >> Yeah, I'm I'm uncomfortable with this
with these changes in policy, and I know that you're going to have to come back uh to revise the LDRs in order to make them uh legal, I suppose, but man, that there are just way too many looph
loopholes in here for me. Commissioner Vargas. Yeah, I I was looking here on pageuh 282 and this is under development and commercial office residential future land use uh second to last paragraph. A bed and breakfast or
other facilities for transient lodging catering to seasonal residents shall be permitted kitchen facilities to be permitted to accommodate occupants for visiting for periods exceeding the general motel trip duration of one to four nights. So what does that mean? This is existing
text in the um comprehensive plan and we also have language in the LDRs that have specific standards for development of bed and breakfastes and so we we're not making any changes here but but I see what you're saying
chairwoman herd about this. It's um it has a lot of loopholes. I I saw this in another county. A lot of residents did not appreciate um the fact that there were quite a few
individuals living in one unit and it wasn't regulated. I I mean, you know, when I lease a property, I put a regulation how many people could live there. and and I don't see this here unless you can point it out to us or
you're going to modify or you know make a mandate on this. It's all fine. Everybody wants to live in town but but we have to think of our neighborhoods and as I say it's going to change the character unless this is is definitely delineated.
It's It's not prohibited now. And so if we did prohibit it, we would be more restrictive or burdensome >> for the SB80. >> Yeah, I'm familiar with that. >> I don't know. Would anyone from the
public like to address us >> back to the board? >> Sure. >> This wasn't planned. >> Hi, Mary Gavin. Um, I was formerly a member of the affordable housing committee. I did not plan on speaking on this topic today, but you know, you all
know I can't keep my mouth shut. Um, I'm also a landlord in Martin County. We have, my husband and I have about 20 tenants and I actually have a guest house in my home and I have another property with a guest house. And I guess a couple things, it's not a separate
parcel, so it's not necessarily two properties. That that's the one point. um you can't sell them separately and it would be very advantageous of course to have a a separate water and separate electric but the real point is every day
every day I get calls from somebody looking for an affordable rental and as an owner living next to a guest or whatever you whatever the term is I'm not going to have 10 people living there and I can't imagine the majority of
people that are renting these or giving them to their mother-in-law. In my case, I have a disabled son and that's who happens to live in my guest house. Um, but I do have another one that is rented. I limit it to one or two people. And I would think that the majority of people that are going to invest in
building this or doing this are going to be extremely considerate about who's in their property. They're not going to put 10 people in there to trash it. There is such a need in this county. I'm afraid to raise my rents. I haven't raised them in 5 years because these people have absolutely nowhere to go. And if we
don't have working people in this county, we're we're really going to be at a loss. So I thank you for your time. >> Thanks, >> Commissioner Vargas. >> Okay. So I and I understand what you're saying about the math on this, the young lady who just spoke. I understand about
the math because I have rentals also, but what happens if you know they can't make trying to talk to you if they can't make their expenses? I mean, we're talking about a huge change that potentially is coming down the line next
year wherein how does that work then? You know, it's your homestead property, one of them with your son living there, that's a family, but the other one is not. So, your your taxes are probably going to
increase. This is what I've heard and everybody I've spoken with in other counties and certainly what's uh proposed in Tallahassee. So, so what happens then? I mean, you haven't raised your rent. I mean, if you if you can make it work,
that's fine. But I I don't know. I I just uh Can you homestead an ADU? >> I >> I don't know the answer to that. I think that's issue for the property appraiser and the state statute. >> That's true. I mean, you know, it's it's
fine. It's it's an emotional issue, but you got to look at the facts. Facts always dictate and it's not, you know, fluff and, you know, style. It's not like that. I mean, you're a businesswoman
based on what you told us. So, >> I know there's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Opposed. That motion carries three to two with Commissioners Vargas and Herd descenting. Thank you. Thank
you members of the board. >> Thank you. >> Uh we will now take up brownfields. This is a quasi judicial procedure. It >> sure is. Uh Commissioner Vargas, any exparte disclosures? >> If I have any, they've been filed.
Commissioner Caps, >> if I have any, they have been filed. I also I went to the Brownfield hearing in Hopetown. I'm not sure. Colleen noted that. I think she probably did. Okay. So, I think I'm good. If I have any, they've been filed.
>> I have some and they've been filed. Commissioner Campy, >> I don't have any and I've been >> Yeah, you got emails. >> I got emails. Everybody got the emails. I >> That's right. >> And I filed that. >> Commissioner Heatherington, >> any they've been filed. Excellent. Anyone who's going to be providing sworn
testimony in this hearing, please stand up, raise your right hand, and be sworn. >> Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> Miss Nabi, have you provided your information to the clerk?
>> Yes, Madam Chair, a copy of my work history and the agenda item has been turned into the clerk. >> Terrific. Please proceed. Good afternoon, commissioners. My name is Jenna Nabi, senior planner with the growth management department. And before
you today is a request by the Palms of Hope Sound LLC and Oasis Development LLC to designate a Brownfield at 9450 Southeast Gomez Avenue. This is the first of two public hearings for this
designation request and the second public hearing for the adoption of the resolution that would designate this property as a brownfield is scheduled to be heard on January 6th, 2026. Section 376.80 80 of Florida statutes
outlines the brownfield program administration process and states that the jurisdictional local government shall adopt a resolution designating the property as a brownfield if the requesting party establishes that all of the necessary criteria in statute have
been met uh during these public hearings. Section 376.79 of Florida statutes defines brownfields as real property the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by actual or perceived
environmental contamination. And this property is located at 9450 Southeast Gomez Avenue in Hope Sound. The site has a feature land use designation of residential estate density which allows a maximum of two
units per acre. And there are two different zoning designations over this property, the R2 and R2B zoning district. And I'll go to the area of the property. So this is an aerial of the subject
property. And on the next page, this is the future land use map and the zoning district. So the light blue district is the R2 and then the yellow is the R2B district. There is currently a minor site plan application that's in review with the
growth management department for 38 single family residential units and uh associated amenities and infrastructure. So that's currently in review with our county staff. The brownfields program is administered by the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection or the FD and they're the state agency that oversees this whole process. And once a property is designated as a brownfield formally by the local government, then it's entered into the brownfields program and there are state-based incentives,
financial incentives to promote the voluntary cleanup and remediation of these sites. And so if this property were to be designated as a brownfield, then it would be eligible to become part of that program. The way that the statute is written for
these two required public hearings states that at least one of the hearings shall be held after 5:00 p.m. on a weekday unless the board of county commissioners by a majority plus one vote elects to conduct that hearing at
another time of day. So with that, our staff recommendation for this meeting is to move that the board receive and file the agenda item and its attachments, including the staff report as exhibit 1,
and move that the board hold the second public hearing on the request to designate the property as a brownfield on January 6th, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. or as soon after as the matter may be heard and prior to 5:00 p.m. And I know that the applicant is here to give a
presentation and they will uh go over how this request meets the criteria. So that concludes our presentation and we're available for any questions. >> Questions for staff. Applicant, please present.
>> Good afternoon, Madam Chair and commissioners. My name is Michael Schnops Tyler. I'm an environmental attorney with the law firm of Cobb Cole uh in Daytona Beach, Florida. Here today with my colleague Jessica Gao on behalf of the applicants Oasis Development and the Palms at Hob Sound. Uh want to thank
Jenna and uh the staff for their assistance in getting this matter before you. They've been fantastic to work with. The Brownfield statute has some very nuanced uh notice and and hearing procedures such as the the item that Miss Na'vi just mentioned about having one of the hearings after 5:00 p.m. and
and voting by supermajority to move it. So, um it's complicated, but um it looks like we're all working well and moving through it. Um, Miss Na'vi hit on some of the key terms about brownfields, but I am going to just talk a little bit about it because there was a change in the statutes since you last considered a
brownfield area designation earlier this year. I'll talk specifically about the property and how it meets that five criteria that Miss Nami mentioned. Um, and then we'll talk about the next steps because, um, I I do know at our community meeting there was, um, a lot of discussion and a lot of input on, um,
how the brownfield process works and how we'll move this forward if, um, the final adoption does occur on January 6th. Uh, again, Miss Miss Nabi did a great job hitting the the change in uh, how the brownfield program is is defined. Before there was only
brownfield sites and brownfield areas but effective January I mean July 1st uh we now have the term brownfield which is the old definition of brownfield site just a property that's having trouble being redeveloped because of an environmental contamination issue. A
brownfield area is one or more brownfields that have been designated by a local government like you all um by resolution. And then a brownfield site, which is the old definition of brownfield, is now the property that has moved into the brownfield program by
signing a voluntary cleanup agreement. So just just some nuances there on on how the terms and the program has changed a little bit since um uh earlier this year when you all considered at Brownfield. This is uh the the property as staff had mentioned. It's a little under 19 and a
half acres. It's a former flower nursery as was mentioned during public comment with chemical storage uh areas and and packaging areas. And as Miss Nabi mentioned, the pro proposed redevelopment is for residential uses. Uh this is a uh uh figure that we um um
found from one of our uh environmental consultants that just kind of shows how the site was laid out. Um there were flower plant packaging and chemical storage areas over here. and then areas for growing of the the flowers and plants on on this side. Uh a small pond
and a small office. Uh our uh environmental investigations to to date by our client um have really um done a good job of defining where the extent of the issues are so that you have an understanding of where the contamination starts and stops. This slide just kind
of shows an example of how they did some of the assessment. There's a little grid here that shows where the buildings were overlaid, how they tested. Uh the um the green uh uh in the legend are are sample locations uh that previously occurred.
Um the uh orange locations were um um sample locations at the time of this report and then the yellow were proposed additional sampling locations based on the results from that figure at that time. um because we have provided staff with some of the environmental reports
and information about the progress. But um in a nutshell, the primary constituents of concern at this site are pesticides and herbicides and fertilizers, arsenic and deaul. as was mentioned earlier this morning. Um we've
done a really good job of of defining where it is in in the soil so that we can have an understanding of what needs to be removed to accommodate redevelopment and and cleanup of the site. Uh we do need to do some additional groundwater sampling to
determine where the contamination starts and stops. And that's really where the brownfield program comes in. It provides a regulatory framework for allowing someone to follow Florida's cleanup rules just like they were the responsible party that that caused the issue. It's a very robust program. Um um
very specific policies, procedures, rules, and regulations. A very very dense part of the Florida Administrative Code is dedicated to assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites. Um there was um some comments earlier about about um you know neighboring properties and
and all that and and I will say the depth to groundwater ranges from about 17 ft on the western side of the property to 6 feet on the eastern side of the property and the groundwater as you would expect moves towards the inter coastal from west to to east. So, we
don't think there is too big of a concern about contamination reaching to the north and to the south because the groundwater is moving um in in a different direction. Um but the Florida statutes do require notice when there is
off-site contamination issues and so uh the comment was made earlier that the the residents weren't notified. Um that's because the assessment done to date has not demonstrated a need to go off-site onto someone's property and test. I'm not saying that that's out of
the realm of possibility. We're still at the very beginning of the cleanup process, but the regulations and process don't require off-site notice until you have evidence of off-site contamination. And that applies whether it's a, you know, a corner gas station cleanup or something like this. But where the
brownfield program does come in and as we get into the criteria of how you designate a brown field, you do have to provide public notice. And that's how all the folks found out about this issue and what we're working through is because you are required to post the property. You are required to publish
notice. You are required to put a post on bulletins. And the Brownfield program does require an advisory board get established to provide frequent updates on how the cleanup proceeds. So there is a lot of public involvement. There is a lot of transparency in the brownfield
process. But first you have to get into the program for that to start happening and moving forward. and that's why we're here today. Um, as far as the redevelopment is concerned, here's a layout from that minor site plan application that Miss Nabi mentioned.
Um, Gomez is is here again on the um east side of of the property at entrance. It is uh 38 units which is consistent with the land use and zoning. Some open space preserve up here, storm water to the south uh and and the rest of the residential lots there. and a
large community center um for the neighborhood with fitness um activities um and and the like. Here's um just some some renderings of what the residences may look like. Single family residences, one story, twotory. Um and again,
everything is going to be done consistent with your land development regulations and all that. There's no proposed reszoning. I did want to touch base on the brownfield area designation criteria. I know the final hearing isn't going to be until the the the 6th of January, but um
I think it is important just to show how this application does meet the criteria. And the first is does the person who owns or controls access to the property agrees to redevelop and rehabilitate the site. The applicant is the owner of the property and uh they have every
intention to enter into the brownfield program by signing that cleanup agreement with D after the area is designated. So that's how that criteria is met. Uh the cleanup and redevelopment will result in economic productivity in the area and the creation of at least five new jobs. Redevelopment for these
single family uses from this vacant use is going to uh generate jobs. It's going to create uh increased advalorum taxes. Um it's going to employ both construction workers and people associated with the community. It is designed to be a luxury community with
security, full-time maintenance, full-time staff on site to help residents and and and things. And and again, there is a large amenity center that'll have fitness classes and and the like. So, very um excited and uh attractive uh community as well. Is the
redevelopment consistent with your comp plan and land development regulations? as as Miss Nai mentioned and as I did, um the future land use is residential estate which has a density of two units an acre and we have that split R2 R2B zoning which does allow single family
use at the density that's been proposed for this site. Um the designation has to be properly noticed and provide opportunity for suggestions on cleanup. And so um that is done three ways. uh newspaper advertisement, posting of the
property, and community bullets and notices. And so we've complied with all three of those requirements both for the community meeting that was held on November 4th that um Commissioner Caps had had referenced uh attending uh um and for for this meeting as as well. All
three notice procedures have been followed and we will move forward with those notice procedures as well for that January 6th meeting. And then finally, the last uh criteria, have you provided um reasonable assurance that you have the financial ability to complete the cleanup? We have
provided uh a memo that outlines um both the uh redevelopment cost and the cleanup cost for the site, how the applicant intends to meet that by using traditional um lending. Uh the applicant does have a presence in the community already. They do um have a couple units
within Hob Sound, which is where we uh hosted our community meeting. It's set up as an office and a design center for the neighborhood. So, they already kind of are invested um in the community already. They are the owner of the property as well. Um so, I think um um
you know, they're they're they're committed to this project. They're they're all in and they're excited to um move forward with uh the Brownfield program itself. I did just want to touch base a little bit. Um, I do a lot of Brownfield work across the state, so I love to kind of cheerlead for the program. Um, so I did provide a couple
of statistics here from the state department of environmental protections, uh, annual report on how the brownfield program is operating. Since 97, there's been over 613 brownfield areas designated by local governments. Uh, 532
voluntary cleanup agreements have been signed. Over $3.1 billion in capital investment have occurred in Brownfield since the program started in 1997 and 88,000 confirmed and pro projected jobs since the Brownfield program was uh
enacted. And then uh I just uh wanted to provide uh another example of a similarly situated property that has gone through the brownfield program that we worked on. Uh my colleague Jessica and I represented the city of Ovido, which is a a community in Central Florida near the University of Central
Florida. Uh they had a downtown with a major storm water problem. None of the properties around the downtown could be redeveloped because there was nowhere for the water to drain. There was a nursery right on the outside, an abandoned nursery right on the outside of that pond. Um they wanted to
redevelop it and incorporate it into a larger community park. And so they asked us, you know, can we use brownfields to to do that? And we said, let's find out if there are environmental issues out there. There was a very significant arsenic impacted soil issue there from the former nursery operations. Um, it
took them about three years to complete the cleanup. They were mainly waiting for some grants from the water management district to help fund the project. So that's why there was a three-year delay. um if they would have been fully funded when we entered the program in 98, we probably could have moved a little faster, but they were
able to address the arsenic, the deaulron, all of those issues very effectively. And it's it's an incredible community park and resource now. All those developments in the downtown if they want to redevelop, they can just pay for credits into the pond instead of taking their smaller properties and
having to put vaults and and things like that in there. So, a a good example of brownfield redevelopment by local government. Um about 30% of the brownfield redevelopments that occur statewide are by local governments and nonprofits. About 70% are done by private developers like like our client
the applicant here today. And just to talk about the next steps um because I think the cleanup and what happens from here is really important. Again, uh there's a final hearing that's scheduled for January 6th. Uh assuming that goes well and you all approve the
Brownfield area designation in 2026, we will execute what's called a Brownfield site rehabilitation agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. That is the voluntary cleanup agreement that says, "Treat me like I am the responsible party that clean that needs to clean up this site.
I am agreeing to comply with your regulations in 62780 of the Florida Administrative Code. It has a very specific schedule that needs to be followed. Requirements that all reports and all work be done by licensed professional engineers and geologists. A
requirement that you lose only certified laboratories to do all the testing um that needs to be done for the sites. and that all um submittals get reviewed in this case by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection because in Martin County you don't have a delegated local environmental agency like Miami
Dade County, Broward, and Hillsboro County. If you're doing brownfields in those counties, you would deal with their county environmental um agencies which have their own jurisdiction. So here we've got the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. They'll oversee and assign a project manager to
review every single submitt that happens under the brownfield cleanup agreement. And that process has four general steps. Um it's it's really hard to take something as iterative and as big as a and technical as a brownfield cleanup and and and summarize it in four steps.
But um the first is identify where the contamination starts and stops both horizontally and vertically in all media soil, groundwater, surface water, marine water, if any of that applies. Here it'll be soil and groundwater. So we
have to determine where the contamination started and where it stopped if it emanated from our specific property which you know based on the historic use that seems to be the case because everything around it is residential. Once you've gone through that process and that's been approved by
DP you can then move to designing a remedial action plan to address those issues. Because this site's going to be redeveloped for residential uses. The most likely remedial action is going to be source removal. digging up all that contaminated soil, taking it to an
appropriate facility that can accept that material, and replacing it with clean fill until you've met those clean points that you've identified. Once that's done, you submit a report documenting how you've done that. That gets approved by DP and then you move into post remedial groundwater
monitoring. You set up a network of groundwater wells and you watch the groundwater contamination drop because that source has now been removed. And after each of those groundwater monitoring events, you submit a report back to the D that says, "We went out to the property on this date. We tested the
groundwater and these are the results." And then that last step is applying for regulatory closure once you've demonstrated you have met all that criteria for closure in Florida, meaning you've addressed the soil and groundwater issues to the extent of your
regulatory obligations. And then that gets approved and reviewed by the the state as well. Um, and for groundwater monitoring, it's at least one year of quarterly groundwater monitoring because you're looking for trends, right? As the water table fluctuates, things can change. So,
the state does require you to do at least four quarterly monitoring events um at a minimum. Can >> I ask a question? Those four uh reviews, is that preconstruction, during construction?
So, uh, the requirements don't, um, they don't, um, let me think of the best way to describe this. Um, the requirements don't, um, take into account when construction occurs. What
they're focusing on is when the source removal occurs, but you can't do anything in the construction of the site to make the situation worse. And so, where that typically happens is in the context of dewatering, right? If you're drawing down that groundwater for your storm water improvements or something
like that, you could be sending the contamination in all different directions if proper precautions aren't taken. So, um you're typically going to do those groundwater monitorings before construction does occur, but oftent times in the context of like commercial
or industrial development, you might do that groundwater monitoring after because there's not as much of a risk of exposure um as as you might have with like residential development. So, unfortunately, the answer is it depends. Um, >> well, I'm only speaking of the residential portion. Yeah. Just
wondering if you started that and and you're third quarter in, you realize, wait a second, we are sensing something, but you've already started to build the neighborhood. You're going to look at us like, well, we've already started. >> And I mean, you're this is a slippery slope. >> Yeah. Um, and and so again, that's why
that assessment is really important, right? We're we're looking for points of compliance before because you're going to you're going to have to do that assessment before you do the removal action, right? So, we're going to know where that groundwater network exists
before you remove the source and go back after. Um, so you're not just monitoring for groundwater for the first time after construction. You're doing it as part of the assessment as well at the initial step. Mhm. >> Followup. If you guys start doing that
where you're doing the borings to check >> and you decide to go beyond that grid that you showed and start because there was a gentleman here this morning who's obviously a close neighbor >> and you start to realize that the that the plume or whatever you're calling it is >> further out than you might have
originally expected your clients. Um what if it becomes financially not feasible to continue the project because the remediation is massive? You guys have the ability to just say we're out. >> No. Um because you are entering into
this agreement with the state that says you're going to address the issue. You can terminate the agreement, but then you're likely to see D's enforcement side come in as a result. And that's why the brownfield financial incentives are really important because they kind of
provide a recurring source of I don't want to say revenue, but an an ability to to fund the cleanup because the tax credits are based on what you spend to do the cleanup, right? You can only get the tax credits for doing the actual
cleanup work. So, if you do $100,000 of source removal, just to say, you will get a 50% tax credit back that then you can choose to elect to use those funds to help facilitate your your cleanup. And so, that's where this program
becomes really important. Um, you know, there are people who decide to take on a brownfield cleanup without understanding their their obligations. Um, you know, as as have as you seen from the submitts we've made, our client has done significant testing on the front end to try and get a handle on what these
issues are. We're not we're not done. Um, but we know enough to know that we have a good handle on >> and they already own the property >> and they own that property. >> Last question. Um, if you didn't do it, if you don't get an approval today and you don't move forward, >> the project just sits there as it is
contaminated with the possibility of leeching into the very close neighbors. Anyway, >> there there certainly is a risk. It's it's it's been there for a a long time. I will say with agricultural uses and contamination, the rules and regulations are a little different than this type of
scenario. By moving into the brownfield program, you're agreeing to use the regulatory framework that says you've got to do the full cleanup. You've got to address the issues to the satisfaction of the DP. Whereas with most agricultural operations, the
pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, you know, were were designed to be applied, right? So that the contamination is there as the result of normal agricultural operations. There's a separate set of statutes that say when you've got a it's a little different here. Now with brownfields, you're going
to go into this complete regulatory framework that says, you know, it doesn't matter that it was an a site. You're agreeing to these regulations that say you have to do the more stringent cleanup. >> Okay. And it's completely surrounded very closely by tons of neighbors. >> Yep. It's a res. >> If you look at the aerial, I mean, it
you could not be more in a neighborhood than you guys are. >> It's it's the hole in the donut, so to speak. >> Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you, >> Mr. Wallwood. >> Yes. To add a little level of comfort to starting construction, the uh development order is contingent on two
dedications of rightway for this project. And part of that process is having a clean title and phase one environmentals that are also clean. So I think that's where this whole process started is in that phase one environmental assessment that was done
for the rideaway dedications. So, we wouldn't issue a development order until those were provided as clean and with no contaminants. >> Commissioner Vargas. >> Yeah. I think this is the second at least since I've been here uh this type
of brownfield cleanup that I think that we've talked about is as I recollect in our conversation and I know that it is a state program through EPA the brownfield's uh cleanup grant and I think it's half a million dollars isn't
it? Um, so the EPA has a separate the separate brownfields program that provides grants to local governments and nonprofits to do assessment and cleanup. And those can be an upwards of half a million dollars. But this is a state
program, so it's administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. And they don't issue grants, they issue tax uh credits. So um there's no there's no free money. um you've got to actually go out and spend the money on the cleanup. And there's a very
specific agreed upon procedures process that CPAs do with the application to verify that you've actually spent the money. You don't just give them copies of checks. You actually give them the bank statements. They review the bank statements, the proposals, the invoices.
They sign a certification. And then your environmental professional has to sign and seal a certification as well that swears and affirms that the work has been completed. and then that goes up to Tallahassee for a second review by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. So there's a very kind of
robust procedure. It actually um the the deadline for 2025 work is the end of January 2026. So my colleagues and I get very busy in January taking um the whole history of our of our I think it's like 20some sites we're working on right now
to submit these applications up to the state um so that they can review the tax credit applications. >> Right. I think um uh one of our commissioners, one of my commissioner colleagues said, I was kind of wondering, okay, if you start to open it, it's like buying a house that needs
work, a really good deal. Pandora's box, which I'm always lry of. >> Um but I mean, it take a lot of money to clean up. I I noticed here in the in the study, arsenic >> was profound on the on on the property.
And I I don't know. I mean, you can tell as well they got deep pockets and they're just going to continue forward. But >> we've we in our application materials, you know, we've established a budget of around a million dollars um for this. Um I I can't guarantee that it's going to
be more or less until we really get out there, but yeah, I mean, this is a significant environmental matter. Um you know, it's something we take very seriously and um but >> it's a huge investment just, you know, on the front end also just to get the tax credits. >> Yes. Yeah. by by the applicant. Yeah,
absolutely. Um but again, you know, from from the materials, you know, we provided there's been over 613 brownfield areas designated, you know, throughout the state of Florida and and I believe we're, you know, in excess of 530 of these brownfield cleanup
agreements um that have been executed and and parties are doing these environmental cleanups from, you know, the Keys all the way through the panhandle. Um, it is actually Florida's second biggest environmental cleanup program in terms of dollars spent per year behind the gas station cleanup
program, the petroleum program. Right? So, if you go to any gas station that's been around since the 80s, you'll see those little monitoring wells all around or you might see some remedial equipment. You know, that program is funded in the hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Uh, in the last couple years, the legislature increased brownfield funding to $35 million a
year, making it the second biggest cleanup program that our state has. Let me ask you a question. Uh I know you're going to build um residential here. Do you have to make a disclosure to prospective buyers that this one time was a brown sort of maybe not really? >> I mean I I I will tell you that I always
advise my clients to do that. Um especially um on brownfield redevelopments um and and that would certainly be the the case here as well. I mean I don't see any reason why not >> for that. I sure would like to know if I'm putting my hard cash down. I've I I
that I I actually, you know, earn part of my living writing disclosures for um environmental issues on on sites and and again with this being a single family residential neighborhood. Um you know, they're going to make sure that it's it's you know, done well, correctly, and
appropriately with >> it's examined. I mean, it's not as if yeah, it's all cleaned up like there no gopher tortoises or you know that. >> Yeah. I mean, again, you know, you have to hire a licensed engineer and geologist to do it. um um the labs have to we provide the certification of the
laboratories to the Department of Environmental Protection and it's not you know the applicant who's signing these reports that go in, it's their hired professional team. Um so they're putting their professional licenses on the line when they're submitting these reports as well.
>> I have one request to speak form and that is from Mary Gavin. If you would like to address us, please fill out a request to to speak form and get it to the baiff. This is what I did come for. First of all, to staff and to the commissioners, I hope you have the best holiday season.
I know I'm going to. Um, I'd like to start off with a little bit of history. I've lived in Hobound in Martin County 30 years and I happen to live right down east of this property. So, I'm the end of the line. I'm in the inter coastal and I don't want to use the sword but
that's what rolls towards me. Um, so I get a little emotional about this I will say and I get emotional also because back in 1993 I was working in a building in Atlanta, Georgia that was poisoned with arsenic and I had a son that was born with tremendous health issues
because of it. So I I just that's why I get a little shaky about this. So I want to start with the owners. Um, there's two applicants here, so I'm not sure what, but it's the same managing partner, it looks like, on Florida Sunbiz. And I'll refer to the documents I gave you in just a moment to to
clarify that. But the property was bought from the original farm family for around 3 million plus. They've had it on the market for 16 million. They took it off right after we inquired why they
said they're developing it when it was for sale. So, I do want to point that out. I also want to point out that they have to clean this property up. Whether there's a brownfield designation or not to develop this property, it's got to be cleaned up. And if somebody spent $3 million on 19 acres, which was the deal
of the century, they certainly had to know why and did their due diligence as far as the environmental issue, especially knowing that this was a a farm for a thousand years. You know, I'm being a little facicious there. So anyway, with all that said, now I want you to get to a to some of
the documents I sent. The front page is a unfortunately close-up picture of the property, but there's two parcels on this property. One was a residential or a storage home, and the other was all the farm. When it was sold to the current owners, they literally buried
the house into the ground where the majority of this contamination is. And you can see it hasn't been mowed. And when they drop signs with the development signs literally been dropped in the 3-foot grass for about 6 months. So Michael told us that the owners are concerned about the health and the welfare of this property. We should have
been notified if they really were concerned in my humble opinion. And when I see how this property has been maintained, it tells me they could give a you know what about what the community feels. The homes around this area run half million to $10 million. Just to put
in perspective, it's an extremely beautiful high-end part of Hope Sound. With all that said, um, yes, they have every right in the world to apply for the Brownfield status. The only real benefit, like I said, they have to develop this. I mean, they have to I
have one important point that really has to be made. I hope I can continue. Um, they have to clean it up to develop. It doesn't matter. But if you look at the ownership and and this is a moral issue. It doesn't necessarily preclude somebody
from getting a brownfield status or from getting the tax credits for it. But the owner that's listed there also spent 13 months in prison in Florida for Medicare fraud through sober homes was recently released. So, we're gonna and it fros my
you know what to think that as a Florida taxpayer, which I have been because of businesses, that we are going to give somebody tax credits that stole millions of dollars from the state of Florida. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Would anyone else like to address us? I see in the uh DP information that this was uh as far as I can tell the um soil borings
as early as 2018 detected all kinds of contamination. Once again, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023. Um, there were all these poisons, contaminants that were detected.
Um, was the owner required to make this information public at any time? Does anybody know? >> I don't know. >> I believe Mr. Schnopstyler had said if
there was off-site contamination, then that there are specific notice requirements for that. All right. Also, um, >> the requirements for qualifying for a, uh, a brownfield designation, one of
them is that at least five new permanent jobs are created. They're full-time jobs not associated with the implementation of the brownfield site rehabilitation agreement. I don't think that's been met. There aren't going to be any jobs,
full-time jobs created with this. This is true. >> You also have to um uh the person proposing the area for designation has provided reasonable assurance that he or she has sufficient
financial resources to implement and complete the rehabilitation agreement and redevelopment of the brownfield site. Well, the owner wrote a letter to us saying, "Oh, yeah. I have I have, you know, a million dollars for rehabilitation and another $45 million."
And signed it. What did we do to proof that claim? We >> It's a personal letter. >> We as staff review the application materials that we receive from the applicant. So, so the applicant is the one that was
sent to prison for Medicare fraud. >> Waserstein, Bay Harbor Islands. >> I know that area well. >> Very well. >> So, we're going to take his word for it. Does that >> him to see what he says? >> Yeah.
>> Anybody else? Madam Chair, I'd like to hear some of the feedback from the applicants representative. >> Okay. >> Uh Madam Chair, commissioners, again for the record, Michael Schnops Tyler with Cobb call. Madam Chair, to uh address
your question about the job creation component and the financial uh information with respect to jobs, full-time security on site, full-time maintenance, full-time operations. Um you know, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at that site. It's it's going to be at
least five full-time equivalent jobs out there at at the site >> forever. >> That's that's the plan for for the redevelopment of the site. Um and with respect to financial asurances, again, we we provided a letter. The applicant does own and operate um um a design
center facility very close to to this site that shows their commitment to the project and and the area. If there are additional financial information um um we can work on it. can provide it in advance of the January 6th uh second reading to to show you that the
financial resources are available. Again, they've completed assessment work. They've continued to complete assessment work to this point um dating back to 2024. I believe our client was an original investor in the first
version of this project. he bought out his uh partner to avoid foreclosure in 2024 and is moving forward with the project as was originally intended. Um I can't speak to when the property was for sale previously. I do know that there
was a rogue listing out there that um um the the speaker identified it was taken down. The property was not listed for sale when we had the community meeting on um uh in November out at the site. It was not listed for sale. Again, it was just a rogue sometimes on the internet. It's out there. It wasn't on the MLS.
You couldn't you couldn't find it. Um to Commissioner Vargas' client u I mean uh comment um um we represent an LLC. There is a managing member who did um accept a plea deal associated with an investment he made. He did not operate the
facility. Um he did spend some time um in a a federal uh facility um paying his debt to society. um he still is uh you know trying to work and earn a living and provide for his family. Uh and again
uh our our client is an LLC. There are other people um associated with the business and the investment here. I don't know of any um brownfield area designation criteria um that are impacted by what happened previously. Um and and again the point of the
brownfield program is to focus on the cleanup and the redevelopment. Um there all there's there's there's no indication that any of the appropriate rules and regulations or anything like that are not going to be followed here. Uh everything still has to be done by the book. Um and uh um and that's what
we intend to do with this cleanup and redevelopment. >> How did it's one of So there are five requirements in order to advance. Um, two of them have not been met. And another one says that notice of the proposed rehabilitation of the
Brownfield area has been provided to neighbors and nearby residents. Do we know that that's been done? And how do we know that that's been done? >> The applicant provided their um their uh affidavit for posting to the community
bulletins. They provided us photos of the signs that were posted at the property for their community meeting and for this public hearing. and the upcoming one on January 6th. And um the other notice requirement, the uh community meeting affording neighbors
the opportunity to comment that was held on November 4th. And then those meetings also had to be announced at a regularly scheduled meeting of the board. So in October and at the November 18th board hearing that um you all had uh um
administrator uh Don Donaldson had announced the community meeting and the uh public hearings. So the notice requirements that are outlined in the statute have been met in in those respects. >> Commissioner Camps, >> let's hear from the local
>> Yes. uh to uh Commissioner Herd's concern about uh number five and this letter that was sent reasonable assurance that he or she has sufficient financial resources to implement and complete the
rehabilitation agreement and redevelopment of the Brownfield site. you do a lot of these uh proceedings and the the type of reasonable assurance that we have been given is this common
and and is it consistent with what is normally done for the record again Michael Schnopstyler with Cobb Cole. Uh it is it's it's consistent with what you all um received for your brownfield area designation that happened uh earlier in
the year I believe in February. But but again if if there are additional information if if that's the request you you want us to take back to our client in advance of the January 6th uh Brownfield area designation hearing, we can do that. We can work with your staff and provide some additional
documentation. Um that's I don't see that being an issue. Okay, it would appear to me then that we've met sufficient threat thresholds to meet these five criteria and that this is kind of strictly regulated by
Florida statute. I mean uh some of the other things that have been talked about are are uh really can't be considered. Uh >> yeah, >> and I it's just these five things, right, that that we can look at
>> when designating a brown field, >> right? These are objective criteria. It's either it's either yes or no. It's not subjective. And if you meet the five subjective activ criteria, >> the statute says shall. >> Right. And in light of that, um,
I would like I would make a a motion to approve the designation, but can you phrase that for me one more time about the additional information that we could ask for on the the fifth
uh number five? Um, maybe phrase that for me again. We're asking for additional information for the next hearing. >> If I may, we're not designating the brownfield today. We are just moving to have a second public hearing prior to
5:00 on January um I think it's 6th and moving um staff the staff report into evidence. You can add the contingency to bring additional financial information if you want, but we're not designating today. Just to clarify that. >> Okay. It sounds like we can just take
this up at the next hearing then. Yeah. >> Okay. Well, I would move approval though. >> Commissioner Campy. >> Thank you. This has gone into a gray area for me. Um, I'm interested to hear from our district commissioner, which we
just did. Uh, if I might ask Commissioner Caps a question. You went to that November 4th meeting. It was a residential meeting. Was it well attended? >> Very well attended. I I would I would guess maybe 30 or 40 people. Does that sound about right based on your memory?
Uh, and uh, a lot of participation, a lot of questions that was handled very well by these attorneys from Daytona who seem to be to know >> the overall mood of the meeting before and after. >> There were just a lot of questions and
um, a lot of clarification given as to what the purposes of the Brownfield designation is. is I think there's a lot of misperception out there about what it is and what it is not and who who and
how what the county's role is in the matter. You know, there are a lot of folks that initially think that the county is involved with monitoring the actual cleanup and soil testing and and and that kind of thing. And that's all
done all done by the D. And this really is just about these five criteria and whether the applicant gets a tax advantage for
engaging in the work to get it cleaned up and it's it's a program to the encourage the cleanup of these sites uh around the state. though it has a good and noble purpose and it apparently is achieving a lot of environmental
cleanup around the state as it was previously mentioned. But I it seems to me like these hearings are all about those five bullet points and that's kind of all you can really look at. And in in light of
that, I uh I think we are satisfied that uh those requirements are fulfilled. Thank you. Um to our staff, I remember this property
came up several years ago and there was a huge uproar of residents that came forward. I remember because they gave us a stack of petitions individual to each of us. It was like 500 pages to each of
us. It was like 3,000 pages. It was like a like a printer's box of paper, copy paper. I've been using I cut them in half and I've been using the back of them for notepads since and I still have probably this many to go.
>> It was a big deal that project. It was really controversial. And if I remember correctly, we voted it down. >> That was reszoning it. >> Correct. That's why I'm I'm getting to that point. That was looking to do something different. But when I look at the picture here, I can't imagine how you
could shoehorn in a single extra house onto that property, which I get is probably legally permissible, fits into we're not even approving yes or no on that. >> We never will. It's minor. >> That's what I mean. It it looks major to me, but I get it's minor and I'm not going to go down that, but it looks like
a full project. Um, so it's not a matter. So for me, I have to take out of my thought process, are we going to be approving this development of a neighborhood right
there or not? Because it's not going to come to us. It's going to be handled at the administrative level. Am I correct? >> That's correct. >> Okay. So, it's not like my decision today will, you know, make a determination for the neighborhood. So, now I go back to the cleanup,
a carnation farm or a flower farm. We had one in Palm City on Berry and it was bigger. I maybe it was about the same. It's a neighborhood now. I don't remember. I have a very good memory, but I don't remember that it being as it it really wasn't a contamination issue
there. It was certainly not a brownfield. I don't remember. And some of you were here then, too. I don't remember if it was a big contamination situation like this one seems to be. It also feels like it was a little more spread out than it this one seems to be.
And so the bottom line for my decision-m today, which with all due respect to my colleague, is he's the local. He was at that meeting and he's the one who made the motion. Um, that's first. Secondly, from a financial point of view, a letter saying
I can afford to do this doesn't really jump the bar for me. I I that's of course someone's going to write that. I don't know what the legal responsibilities or ramifications would be if we found out that that letter wasn't as accurate. Who's the arbiter of
deciding if someone and I don't know the applicant, so I have I'm not trying to disparage any person. I don't I I see the names. I don't know those names. I don't know these people. So speaking generally, if I wanted to do a project and all I had to do was type a letter that says I have enough money to do it
and here's my signature. We don't have a financial arm that's reviewing that. Um your growth management uh we literally we're not sending it to the clerk of the court. It's not being reviewed for any kind of uh accuracy or verifying that
that money exists. So, if we are going to move from today to the 6th of January, I would need some more of a financial kind of proof because like you said, it's big money. I mean, remediation and taking that soil off
that property. I don't even think there's any remediation sites left in Martin County where you could truck it to. Correct. We don't have that anymore. >> Never had. >> Never did. But I then wherever it was going locally, that's it's not even local anymore, right? Even if it's out
of the county. Well, it's just that depending on the contamination, you know, it either would have to be landfill, but typically something like this has to go to like an incineration and be burnt >> or in the worst case scenario, it used to get trucked out of the state to a
special hazardous waste facility, >> some other state where >> I don't know what the level is, but anyway, there's v various designations of which we've never had a facility that could accept anything other than very minor. >> Okay. Okay. So, you're talking about, you know, remediating soil, which look,
it's not a secret. It's obviously contaminated. They've found some already. And to Commissioner Vargas' point, arsenic, which even those of us that are not chemists would say it sounds like the scary one. Um, I'm torn. I'm The reason that I would
potentially vote today in favor is because if you don't do something, it's just going to continue to just leech in and just get worse. This seems to me to be the most realistic and and reasonable approach to remediation for the existing
neighbors that are there in this particular case of doing nothing. I just think every rainstorm, every wash is just going your way or, you know, I get that it's going, you know, west to east, but it's also going north and south.
It's not. It's unless it's a like a a swale, which it's not. it's going north and south and the houses are literally on the property line. So, I'm not opposed to having uh at least bringing this to January 6th. The other thing,
which is more of a personal thing based on, and I appreciate the photograph, I did not get an opportunity. I've driven past here many times because I have friends that live down in this neck of the woods. I probably drove past it on my way to the singing Christmas tree. But that being said, I wasn't looking at
the property with that eye. If this is even an indication of how the property is being maintained, how long has your client owned it? >> 2021. >> 20. So, four years, four coming up on five potentially. >> Client's been the sole owner since 2024.
>> Okay. >> Was an investor in 20. >> Okay. So, at least a year. Um, I will drive by before January 6th. shouldn't look like that. If you're trying to like, you know, put your best foot forward, I'd straighten it up. I mean, that sounds like a weird kind of
personal request, but five of us are making a determination. I'll tell you, I'm close to I was a no until I heard my colleague say that he, you know, we meet the He's a lawyer. Uh we have plenty of them, but he's also one of them. And so
I'm willing to give you guys the benefit of the doubt based on I need to see financials that are I I don't know who will eventually verify them, but more than a letter from the guy that says I got enough money. Uh and I would like from the neighbors point of view that it's you know it's just neighborly to
keep this up then look like some just you know wasteland and um and then I guess we'll take it from there on January 6th. So, I will second my colleague, district commissioner colleagues uh motion reluctantly. >> Commissioner Heatherington.
>> Yeah. Um I would just go back to the five criteria and um as far as the jobs, I would imagine that based on all of the reporting documentation that that's verified by um
by some entity, whether it be the D in order for you to get the tax credits. Is that correct? I mean, you can't if you don't create five jobs, who's who's monitoring that? >> Uh, the the D is focused on the
incentives and on on on the cleanup. They don't I don't know off the top of my head if they actually go out and count the jobs and and verify it, but they do report it. Um, and that's but again, that's focused on the redevelopment after the cleanup is is complete.
>> Okay. And then as far as the proof of funds, I I think you could this would be like a real estate transaction that you could require either to show a particular percentage or a financial institution
would verify that you would you have the proof of funds whatever that amount is >> that. So I I would be willing to move it to January 6th. I I think that you have a little work to do before January 6th, but I would be willing to move it um to
January 6th. >> Can I ask one more question? >> Sure. >> Um to Commissioner Heatherington's point, even if they brought bank statements that says we got $8 million in the bank, there's no verification that they're going to spend the $8 million on this. Is there I remember
projects that we've done in the past where people have to put money into escrow or into something. is I don't know if we're getting out of our our realm, but >> so we don't have any legal authority to require esco escrow. We can ask for a certified bank letter or accounting some
from a CPA if the board would like. So for this meeting, they're entitled to two hearings. So they're moving forward on January 6, just to clarify. Either way, >> um what the board is voting on today is to have it before 5. So if there's a no vote today, then we're having the hearing after 5. the board can certainly
vote no at the next hearing to not designate the Browning Brownfield, but they do have two hearings under the law. So, the board can give them direction that, you know, it looks like a no and they should bring some additional financial, but I just wanted to clarify that there's going to be two hearings and the next one will be after five if
there's a no vote today on the motion. So, everybody understands you're voting on whether to have the hearing after five or before five for the next meeting. >> So, but on the six we can vote no if we >> certainly Yes. Absolutely. If you feel like they didn't meet the criteria, but
they are entitled to two hearings under the law. >> I would I would prefer that the meeting is after 5:00. >> That's really >> Yeah. >> Why? >> Let the people What if the meeting gets over at 12:30? >> Then I have to come back at 5:00 and
have the meeting because I think when you This is just my suggestion and I know that this goes to daytime meetings versus nighttime meetings. This is a contaminated site in the heart of a very specific neighborhood where the houses are very close together. And I mean,
I don't I wouldn't want any kind of a inference that we created an opportunity where it was harder for people to come. This is different than, you know, hey, we're building something next to you. This is contamination. This is medical issues. This is pretty serious. And, you
know, we have budget hearings that start at 50:05. Uh, that's just my personal opinion. If we have it during the day, the other thing I didn't hear anyone say is that you you put it on a board or you put some signs up. Do they have to send
out certified letters to the surrounding property owners? >> There's not a a mailing notice requirement in the statute. >> Okay. Can we ask them to do that in terms of winning favor? >> They have to say that they did. Well, they have to still they still have to
certify them like everybody else does, right, >> D? >> Yeah. We don't have any authority to do that under our ordinance. >> Well, I'm one of five and so I'm just giving you a suggestion. I I'm going to ask people that show up at this meeting on the 6th and say, "How'd you hear about it?" If you genuinely want a
favorable I I'm willing to be very objective. If your client wants, you know, to me to give him all of, you know, the potential um thoughtfulness in my decision-m,
you have to prove to me that the local residents were notified, not just putting a sign up because some people don't drive by that way. And if you put it on some website, some people don't see that website. We require everybody else in the world to mail out within a
couple hundred feet or yards of of a project to say that they got a notification. I get that we can't make you do that, but if you came back on the 6th and said, "Look, here we sent certified letters to our uh surrounding neighborhood ring," that's going to go a
longer way for me to be favorable in my decision-m for you all with your request. Just to remind everybody, the we're following a state statute for a tax credit for this cleanup and the board will be required to evaluate the
criteria by which um in each of those five criteria and so it'll have to be an objective reasoning that you determine. So I think that's that's important to remember. >> Miss Gavin, before or after five? I it
doesn't matter to me. >> What do you think about your neighbors? >> I think a lot of them are still not aware. >> And we we are the closest street to the property. The majority of them don't have a clue. >> She has to speak. >> They think they thought that the sign.
>> Ma'am, can you come up? Can you come to the speaker, please? I'm sorry. Sorry. The majority of neighbors that I have spoken to thought that that sign was for development and and we know that it's not. This is very very different. So I
there are a lot of people that aren't here today um just because of the time. I don't know that it matters if we're going back to the criteria, but I would like to add since I'm here, if there's five permanent jobs created, I think we need to know what they are so somebody can follow up that they really happened.
>> That's the least of it. >> Yeah. Commissioner Caps. >> So in order if we went with uh Commissioner Campy's logic of making it after five, then it would be more logically for consistent for me to withdraw my motion.
>> Correct. If Yes. Because your motion had the um hearing before five. We would still need for the board to receive the agenda item and the attachments, but you wouldn't have to talk about the timing because the statute requires us to have one after five o'clock. And that would be the next one,
>> right? Oh, I would rather heir on the side of making sure that anyone who might want to be at this hearing has that opportunity after 5:00. So, I will with withdraw that motion. >> You withdrawing?
>> Yes. >> All right. >> I would tell you I don't mind meetings before five if if there was some way for you to notify the affected parties. And I'm not trying to give you guys grief. I'm trying to give you like a answer to
the test. This is the kind of things that and I get what Mr. Donaldson saying that we're just talking about giving you the opportunity to get a reimbursement of expenses. But to me, the advantage for the neighbors is you're going to clean up a site that's been really terrible for a long, long time. That's
for me. And if you're legally allowed to build a neighborhood, it looked pretty. What you were showing was pretty. the five the five uh jobs. I get it. I you know I get that you could do that. It's a small pro. How many houses? >> 38. >> 38. You can have a full-time guard in
front of the neighborhood for 38 houses. You're talking about the five employees. But who's paying for those five employees? It cost a fortune to have a gate guard in front of a house of a neighborhood. Even if you have 600 homes, never mind 38. And I get they're going to be beautiful. So, I'm willing to say just do these things that I'm
that are important to me for me to give you the benefit of the doubt in in January. >> So, do we need a motion to move that the hold our second public hearing after 5:00? >> No, we just need a motion for the board to receive and file the agenda item and
its attachments, including the staff report as exhibit one. >> Okay, >> I'll make that motion. Miss Na'vi, >> can I clarify if there was a motion for more financial documents or something in
that respect for the January 6th meeting? >> The applicant heard us. >> Yeah, it's up to the applicant to >> I think you have a real clear idea of what's expected on January 6th. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I will second the motion to receive and file the agenda item and its attachments.
>> Any further inquiries? There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I >> opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. >> Thank you, members of the board. >> We have a fiveminut break. >> Yeah. >> We are going to take a 5m minute break.
>> Okay. My husband will make it up to me. Don't you worry. >> You're on. >> We're on. >> Yes. >> Okay. We are taking up department one, which is Office of Management and Budget items which require board approval. Miss Merley.
>> Good afternoon. Stephanie Merley, director of OM here to present four items today. Our first item is uh permission to apply for the FY26 transportation alternative set aside program um through FDOT for the Palm Lake Park sidewalk connectivity project.
Um our public works department is requesting um a grant application of $769 $769,125 for the construction of a proposed 6 foot wide sidewalk on the perimeter of green space on Northwest Palm Lake
Drive. Um, there is a local match of $19,500 that will be funded with the FY30 CIP program. Item number two is a permission to apply for the FY26 Florida safe routes to school infrastructure grant through FDOT
for the Northeast Rose Tree Drive sidewalk project. Public Works is requesting a grant application of $987,000 for the construction of a six-foot sidewalk on Northeast Rose Tree Drive to connect um the neighborhood to Jensen Beach Elementary School. And there's no
cash match required for that one. Item number three is a permission to accept the FY2526 state funded emergency management accreditation program or the EMAP grant. Our emergency management division is requesting the acceptance of $45,280
for the purposes of funding an accreditation program for our Martin County Emergency Management Program. Um there is no cash match required for that either. And last but not least, we have the permission to accept the state of Florida Department of Health FY26
emergency medical services or EMS trust fund grant. This is an annual grant we we receive. Um this is for $25,219 um to fund equipment and training to enhance emergency medical services at the local level. Um and there's no cash
match required for that either. That's it. Questions? Would anyone from the public like to address us? Seeing none, back to the board. I'll >> move approval. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I
>> oppose. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Next up is department two, which is contracts that meet the threshold for uh a board approve of approval of a million dollars or greater. This should look familiar.
Good evening, Christy Brotherton, chief procurement officer. So, I have one item for your consideration, which is the construction contract award for the Coral Gardens vacuum sewer system project. uh you approved an item earlier in today's agenda for the same project
and staff is recommending that the board award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder which is Felix Civil Construction in the amount of 14 million86,89 and move that the board authorize the county administrator or designate to execute all documents related to this
request and that concludes this item. >> Questions for Miss Brotherton? I will gladly make approval. I move approval for this item. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I >> opposed. That motion passes unanimously. >> Yep.
>> Let's see. That brings us to the end of our last meeting of 2025. >> Should we Old Lang Zine or something? >> Not yet. Commissioner Vargas. >> Yes. you were going to model for us how
I as a citizen could go and find information on the links. >> So, with the chair's permission, I can show demonstrate how you can get to the check register. >> Oh, good. >> For um >> Yeah, that'd be great.
>> Hey, this is ordinary citizen Mr. Donaldson muddling his way throughbody >> all this information. can't work the doc cam but >> there it is. >> Okay. So, um you know, we've we've had
uh questions regarding, you know, the warrant list in the past and this is the agenda item today that shows the warrant list of of uh money spent in the last couple of weeks. Um, and on there there
is a highlighted blue area which you can hit check registry which takes you to the clerk's office. And once that comes up, you can see that here is uh and if we want to look at the
exact dates that um were in the agenda item. Sorry, let me go back to the we flip back to the agenda item. This was from November 17th to the 23rd. Um, you can go back here and you can click
the 17th to the 23rd. December, >> it's December. >> There we go. And if you hit submit, it's going to come up with a list of all of the checks that um that
were issued during that period. Now, you can see that it's just a constant list of vendor name um accurate systems, and I'll just scroll through. You can see there's just an
ongoing list of all the checks that were that were issued in the preceding weeks before this agenda item. Um, and Boundary Medical is an example of one. It's medical supplies for fire rescue.
And for instance, you can, you know, take information. Let's view this view. >> Just view. Just hit view on the right. >> So the view will just I'm just going to bring back. So the the before we do that, I'll show that this is like the check number. And so you can see there's
lots of different individual items for which one check was issued. So if you hit copy, you can go back to So this information can be sorted in different ways. So, if we put the check number uh in there and hit submit, you'll see the
total amount that was issued to um Boundary Medical Services, which was $4,000 uh for for them if you you know, so the the the point and of course Boundary
is uh medical supplies for fire rescue. So when you approve the budget, there is a line item that has medical supplies and fire rescue that that the board had to approve at your budget hearing. Then fire rescue at some point in time had to do an a bid proposal for medical
supplies with Miss Brotherington who was here earlier would have issued an RFP or or a bid proposal for that bid award would have been awarded either depending upon the amount uh at a board meeting like today. Uh um then at which point it
becomes you authorize a contract to be executed. That contract gets executed and then staff can actually purchase materials from Boundary Medical. They then submit us an invoice saying, "Okay, you've bought these services." Then it
goes back to here. The other piece of this, this is on the clerk's website. part of the clerk court's job, Miss Carolyn Timman as our chief financial officer also verifies that all of these processes were actually done in the proper order and that we expended them
properly. Uh and then of course at the end of the year we have an audit. So, just wanted to say that the the check registry is a summary of checks that were issued in a total amounts in the last um um preceding uh two weeks. But
you can also see actually in any date range you want um uh those types of uh registries. Now the information under view I can um so you go back to uh boundary just to hit view you're not
it's that the the information here just again just gives you the total of uh what I showed you before but you can you can put in if you knew the vendor's name you can put it in here the vendor invoice number the minimum amount or if you don't know any of that as you scroll
through the list you can copy that information and and put it back in and sort. You can also sort it by by different dates if if you if you so desire. So there is a lot of information there. Um um it uh u but again the the
consent item that has the list of check registry in order for that to expended it got approved many times before they get there. So you're you're you've already actually approved the budget. you've approved the contracts and then
uh um this is just a way to com to provide the public with a summary of what was expended. Um and you would expect that given the size of our budget that we're going to be spending anywhere from about a million and a half uh
dollars uh or to $3 million every agenda item uh on contracted services or more. So that uh that that's just the nature of the size of our of our business is that um this is this is a week basically
um showing the difference uh uh from from so every time you see these check these summaries um you could expect that um your your county in um um in in check dispersements is going to be um
exceeding several million dollars every time you see one of these. But it's all based upon um for instance you can see all the FPNL bills and you each building has a different meter and sometimes there's we have street lights and so you could see how much we spend on
electricity if you wanted to summarize these every every week or through the year. So the information is there. It's not it is in in in disperate pieces but it's um we did try to make it a little bit easier for you to find it. Um and again you can find the each vendor that
you can or you can scroll through the entire list of the thousands of invoices that we receive. >> Question >> and that's it. >> Yeah. >> Question. >> If someone saw like you used Boundary as an example, if someone went and saw there was $4,000 worth of checks, if you don't know what Boundry Medical is, you
wouldn't know what Boundary Medical is. Is there a way that someone could then either dig down or if they had a question then they could contact specifically? >> There is. I just don't have it. Um I again I'm uh my uh my and perhaps that's
the next exercise in educating the public when we come down here would be you know um uh how do you track boundary back to their original purchase order and original bid? There is a way to do that. I just can't tell you exactly off the top of my head. I know how it gets
to this point going in reverse. I'd have to um I would have to I'd like to practice it at least once before I come back to the >> So, for our next episode of Don Explains It All, we're going to need you to show >> I will have Miss Merly here and uh
>> just just simply because I get that you can see the name of the vendor and the dollar amount, but certain vendor names, some of them are obvious, FPL, AT&T, but some of them are not as >> obvious. That's very helpful. Thank you. It is. Thank you.
>> We have had in the past, I know there's one person's very specific about this. We have every six months or nine months had a review of that the information is there. It's not flashing on the homepage, but it is available for
anybody that is interested in going to that level to see exactly what we have. But Don's I think the most important point you made is first it it showed up in this if it's depending on what is a CIP sheet or a line item in someone's
annual budget then the reason it got there is an employee decided then the department head decided then Don looked at it and then financial looked at it and then Carolyn Timman and her team looked at it. So it's not like someone can necessarily just start writing
checks. Not that there's that that's the the system is 1,000% foolproof because there's always something. But I think overall our system is pretty tight and they're award-winning. Carolyn Timonss and her team wins awards on making this
very foolproof. >> Yes. They watch us closely, which is what their job is to do. >> Yeah. She's also the controller. >> Anything else, Commissioner Vargas? >> Uh no, just my comment earlier. Um I I
would like to follow up uh with the CRA building and zoning uh about the uh street side tables and chairs. Um so I do have a note here and I appreciate if you could please follow that up Mr. Donaldson. >> Yes. >> And certainly if legal needs to be consulted about that. I mean during
COVID lots of different things happen. We are long past that and other businesses they want to put tables and chairs outside and where where does someone walk and ADA and all of that. So that that's critical. I think that's important. That's public safety, too.
Thank you. >> No, no further comments. >> Mr. Caps. >> Well, I'll just mention that on the brownfield matter that we just took up, uh there was this is not a a subject matter that we've taken up a lot uh in
the past. And even before I became a commissioner and I was watching a lot of the YouTube videos of these meetings and uh Brownfield doesn't come up very much. I think this is the second time in Martin County history >> that we've been here too. >> So it was a learning experience for all
of us. And with regard to the technical requirements and the the five things that we have to look at, we'll be looking at those a lot closer at the next hearing. um because I think some of the com our commissioners here brought
us some really uh valid points about whether those elements are really being satisfied. So we'll we'll look at that closely at the next meeting. >> Mr. Campy, >> thank you. Two things. One, I wanted to remind everyone some people watch the
morning and don't watch the afternoon. on uh Sat this coming Saturday, December 13th, 6:00 to 8, we're having music in the park, which is this time dueling pianos with a holiday sing along. It's on Map Road. It's at the patio at Palm
City Place, which if you're not familiar, is immediately next door to the Palm City Station 21 fire station. Uh it'll be a lot of fun. There'll be food truck. You can bring your own food, you can order in, or there'll be food and beverage trucks there. It's a full
family neighborhood kind of event. We'd love to have you come. And then knowing that this is our last meeting of the year, I'd like to wish my colleagues a healthy and happy holiday season. All of our staff, our residents, uh the most important gift that I could wish for you
is health. Uh I wish you all a very happy, healthy holiday season, but wish you all a happy, healthy 2026. Thank you so much. Thank you, Commissioner Heatherington. >> I just say merry Christmas and happy new year and we'll see you back on the 6th. See you then.
>> And to our colleague, happy birthday. >> Well, thank you so much. My husband will make it up to you. Very welcome. >> And with that, >> Mr. Donaldson, >> I just thank you all for a great year. Martin County is the finest of the 67. We have a lot to be thankful for. Uh we
also have a lot of great nonprofits who also and I I ask my staff and everybody to remember those less fortunate and do what we can to help those in our community that uh in need. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Elder. >> All set. Thank you. >> And best wishes for a happy and healthy
Christmas and a very very happy and healthy new year. >> See everybody next year. >> Thanks. Thanks, Laya.