MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — Discussion to consider a land use amendment from an agricultural lifestyle to a rural lifestyle has been postponed in Martin County.
Early Tuesday morning, the developer of a 1,500-acre piece of land in Hobe Sound posted a formal notice on the front doors of the county commission chambers citing a change in text amendment language as the reason for the delay
The note said that the developer would like to modify the amendment after receiving input from various local stakeholders in Martin County.
If the amendment were approved by commissioners, it would pave the way for new development on Bridge Rd. just east of I-95 in Hobe Sound.
Atlantic Fields would become home to 317 multi-million dollar homes and a golf course designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio.
Currently, the land use is designated as agricultural and allows for one unit every 20 acres.
If the land use were changed to a rural lifestyle, then it would allow for one denser unit for every 5 acres.
Seventy percent of the 1,500-acre lot would be left untouched and wetlands preserved, according to the developer.
Tom Hurley, CEO of Becker Holding Corporation, currently owns the land and said his 800-acre tree farm would become a permanent easement.
Those against the amendment fear it will set a precedent for construction in Martin County.
“That would be three projects that would probably add a lot to the tax base,” Hurley said. “It would be low density, few required services, but very high lot prices.”
Hurley, who used to run a citrus farm there, said a lot this size would typically become thousands of homes.
He said that if it is ultimately approved, the development would bring in $20 million in tax dollars to the county each year.
At this time, it is unclear if the article will come before the commission in the future.
Source: www.wptv.com