Live Oak Capital seeks approval for Hope Sound storage facility development

The Martin County Local Planning Agency convened on February 6, 2025, to discuss a significant proposal concerning the development of a residential storage facility in Hope Sound. The meeting focused on an application submitted by Thomas Engineering Group LLC on behalf of Live Oak Capital Partners, seeking approval for a major final site plan for a three-story, approximately 94,132 square foot storage facility on a four-acre undeveloped site.

The proposed location is situated east of Southeast Federal Highway, near Bethel Lutheran Church and a water treatment facility. Currently, the property is zoned as RS-6, which designates it for medium-density residential use. However, residential storage facilities are not permitted under this zoning classification. To facilitate the project, a comprehensive plan amendment is scheduled for consideration by the Board of County Commissioners on February 11, 2025. This amendment aims to change the future land use designation from medium density to general commercial and to rezone the property from RS-6 to General Commercial (GC), where residential storage facilities are allowed.

The site plan includes a single access point from Southeast Federal Highway, with a proposed deceleration lane for entering vehicles. The development plan also emphasizes environmental considerations, with approximately 2.61 acres of the site designated as wetland and upland scrub reserve, which will be preserved and restored as necessary.

Development review staff reported that the proposal meets or exceeds the requirements for the General Commercial Zoning District, including a building coverage of 18%—well below the 60% maximum—and a proposed open space of 77%, exceeding the 20% minimum requirement. The architectural design has been noted for its compliance with commercial design criteria, featuring elements such as decorative cornices and screening for rooftop equipment.

The staff recommended approval of the application, contingent upon the successful amendment of the future land use map and the rezoning of the property. The meeting concluded with a clear pathway for the project, pending the upcoming Board of County Commissioners' decision.