[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6197193,"mediaKeyId","3853691-1fdbee1c431be30e7f8fd97815164b93","parentId",3853691,"title","Commissioners urge swim-safety outreach after two child drownings; parks staff says free lessons available","audioSeconds",773,"startMs",8467000,"endMs",9240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853691-1fdbee1c431be30e7f8fd97815164b93&start=8467&end=9240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853691-1fdbee1c431be30e7f8fd97815164b93/thumbnail_8467000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6197193/Martin-County/Florida/Commissioners-urge-swim-safety-outreach-after-two-child-drownings-parks-staff-says-free-lessons-available","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197193-c2709a0c92c11e3e07d1708b5b0c4bfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023624&Signature=Gpct8DrwfsRrkzAiS16KUv53YddZkbX2T3QKlbRaGuMe-vQgzpzs4b1xrbD9WI84b3BVhUtsPjewT1rtA1uuiEEacN6ilxuHDt884pga1sQiFwBDxppf3HOk9~Jx-2tYUazAFEuFuEIf-T~wYf9P5tXcg89vZjAW6JFwRxo965Jg2lDulADWXoTIzsbQ2FNk0Ss~P3OMPAJgPBzXeRMSot9m5LOTGQGVpMZWGlFtpbB~gvdKWBAVTLeuX5g7fsT6d0p6ZkIdyd6LfjcjHbJMI1ycG6jOY0Ux44qFDpUCbsEFRcvyrt-uYrdAumYjoW2oT9hHA86cuqf9dnb-IBTefQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Martin County, FL","date","2025-06-18T00:40:01.27Z","article","Two child drownings in Martin County reported in local news prompted commissioners to raise swim-safety concerns during the June 17 meeting and to ask Parks & Recreation about available lessons. Commissioner Campe described recent drownings of a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old and urged increased awareness and programming to prevent future tragedies.

Parks & Recreation response: Kevin Abate (via text to Commissioner Campe and reported at the meeting) and county staff confirmed a free swim-lesson program is available for residents ages 6 months to 17 years; parent or guardian must be present for lessons, provide transportation and attend a water-safety class. The program is offered at Sailfish Splash Waterpark in Stuart and is sponsored by the Children’s Services Council, county staff said. Commissioner Campe encouraged residents to contact Parks & Recreation to confirm eligibility; he also noted private lessons exist and suggested donors could help fund expanded access.

Why it matters: Commissioners noted the common pattern that many child drownings occur in pools at properties other than the child’s home and urged neighbors with pools to check gates and latches. The board did not take formal legislative action at the meeting but requested staff follow-up and encouraged public awareness and donor-supported expansions of lessons where needed.

Next steps: Parks & Recreation will continue to manage sign-ups for the free lessons and verify eligibility; county commissioners encouraged residents to contact Parks & Recreation or their elected commissioners if they believe their family needs assistance enrolling children in lessons.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Martin County Board of Commissioners Meeting -Morning - June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After two child drownings reported in news accounts, commissioners raised swim-safety concerns and asked Parks & Recreation about lessons. County staff said a free swim-lesson program exists for eligible children; officials urged residents to check eligibility and contact Parks & Rec.","taxTitle","Martin County, Florida","taxId",12775,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6197198,"Commission directs Driven Brands applicant to renegotiate Cannery Square PUD after contested zoning hearing",2354,8601000,10955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853691-1fdbee1c431be30e7f8fd97815164b93&start=8601&end=10955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853691-1fdbee1c431be30e7f8fd97815164b93/thumbnail_8601000.jpg","/articles/6197198/Martin-County/Florida/Commission-directs-Driven-Brands-applicant-to-renegotiate-Cannery-Square-PUD-after-contested-zoning-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197198-70f4d5786c05c68231cb0b5c22813838/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023624&Signature=GUOY7T~eE2ZWz0w-sJocgzmdWIjvuaC0n~QKhiT8MCBgah1yj2rQGGLAdPyfo~lM2b3vM3vBEmf3sp03UeWngY1wZnwVrJXpQ8DtggE~~wXdyL-Wei88j0vsy9W8x7MZWkBWyEOvdmTpcokxO61tDzawO-1zGrn4HW17cEqV3mzNHxuRQcvXLtUfBB~WH4MkkxLX2HgNJFDgNhTxS~Kb~vx7tsXqqEgf8qdLval-mrSF4qyxSTCfTsBTslldP8jqQrB6C7SIbPmefObQj2WD0qn38YEZhyXsbbE5P5j~SKjE1bkagycRQQzZ7DrORSXZyIVkjHwEvuKR530aRYyG1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of County Commissioners on June 17 directed the applicant for a 2.97-acre undeveloped parcel at the southwest corner of Southwest Canner Highway and Southwest Salerno Road to renegotiate a planned-unit development (PUD) agreement after a contested quasi-judicial hearing on a proposed rezoning.

Staff presentation: Luis Aguilar, principal planner in Growth Management, summarized the application from Driven Brands Inc. seeking to change zoning from the expired Cannery Square PUD (PUD Commercial) to General Commercial (GC). Aguilar said the rezoning request followed an expiration of prior PUD approvals and that staff had found the application consistent with the comprehensive plan and recommended adoption of a resolution terminating the old PUD and amending the zoning atlas.

Public input and concerns: Neighbors and commissioners raised concerns about compatibility with existing single-family homes behind the parcel and about noise, fumes and drive-through operations; several speakers urged strong buffering, filtration and wall requirements. Commissioner Campe, citing nearby residents, said he wanted “exhaust filtration and a wall” to protect neighbors if a drive-through food use were allowed. Deputy county attorney Elise Elder and staff reminded the board that a rezoning decision must consider the full set of permitted uses in a district and that specific site-plan elements such as filtration or walls are typically reviewed at site-plan approval unless negotiated as part of a PUD.

Board action: After extended debate and an initial attempt to approve straight GC (which failed for lack of a second), commissioners considered substitute motions. The board ultimately passed a motion 3-2 directing the applicant to renegotiate a PUD agreement; that motion carried with Commissioners Capps and Hurd recorded in dissent. Commissioner Capps and Commissioner Hurd voted no on the PUD-renegotiation motion; Commissioners Campe, Hetherington and Vargas voted in favor.

Why it matters: A PUD negotiation would allow the board and staff to secure specific conditions — buffers, walls, filtration, turn-lane accommodations or other site-specific requirements — at the ordinance level before a final site plan is approved. If the board had approved a straight GC rezoning without a PUD, the applicant might be able to obtain an administrative site-plan approval that would not require another board hearing.

Next steps: The applicant will return with a proposed PUD agreement (or alternative zoning application) incorporating negotiated protections for adjacent neighborhoods. If a PUD application is filed, the board will review it as part of the PUD approval process.","After a lengthy quasi-judicial hearing on a rezoning request for a 2.97-acre parcel at the southwest corner of Canner Highway and Salerno Road, the board directed the applicant to renegotiate a PUD agreement rather than approve a straight general-commercial rezoning. The motion to seek a PUD was adopted 3-2.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6197203,"Board approves expansion of Waterside Community Development District boundaries after public hearing; 3-2 vote",1679,6917000,8596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853691-1fdbee1c431be30e7f8fd97815164b93&start=6917&end=8596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853691-1fdbee1c431be30e7f8fd97815164b93/thumbnail_6917000.jpg","/articles/6197203/Martin-County/Florida/Board-approves-expansion-of-Waterside-Community-Development-District-boundaries-after-public-hearing-3-2-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197203-ff651d893079545f7a1df21366263332/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023624&Signature=h~~gAPXYGtv-b2zCX4rDov6Eo5pldzg7zP6Z5jBI9No1ARhFzz6fvgYbS5DCbflI-wwzRwd-VsUj-FEFOZAmd6E8VPdMqes9dpPLsOAD5kY-M2UTzoYVDM93bnxseVlQ7ufDOyWNnXFQ0iaxoeQrsCcVp1bmx7kGdvSr6X90nkMOAwVNCtvjr2przWdraDL3ooQKPwnt4ieFixBS-IWzUhCc3vNM9Al86P~2ct6X9ucNed6qq7l35hvjOnjrBc3mAun7TQ9j~VOD2EiCTj-Lo3Kpk84EADDA73Wu8TgoL2ewPUWbI12prYO-WDKk1CdNfcRMgCwG5IHBatuSkl5BaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Martin County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-2 June 17 to amend the Waterside Community Development District (CDD) boundary from roughly 179.9 acres to about 216.37 acres to align the district with recent amendments to the South Florida Gateway planned-unit development (PUD).

Staff presentation: Brian Elam, principal planner with Growth Management, told the board the petition by counsel Kutak Rock LLP sought to bring additional acreage into the Waterside CDD so the district boundary matched the expanded PUD. Elam said the petition complies with the statutory requirements in chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes for amending an existing CDD and recommended approval. “The proposed petition to amend the CDD will bring the additional acreage into the boundary of the CDD, making it consistent with the PUD,” he said.

Why it matters: A CDD is a special-purpose local government that can finance, build and maintain public infrastructure — stormwater, roads, utilities and amenities — inside its boundaries, paid by assessments on properties within the district rather than by all county taxpayers. Commissioners debated whether expansion increases local government and whether assessments could affect future owners.

Key debate: Several commissioners voiced concern about CDDs’ long-term assessment obligations and compatibility with surrounding agricultural land. Staff and the applicant said landowners inside the proposed expansion had consented to inclusion and that the district could levy assessments only on property within the CDD, not on countywide taxpayers. Commissioner Vargas explicitly asked whether the change would mean “double taxation”; staff answered assessments are levied only on included parcels and not on those outside the district.

Vote and outcome: After discussion, the board adopted the ordinance to amend the Waterside CDD boundaries. The motion passed 3-2 with Commissioners Vargas and Hurd recorded in dissent. Staff noted that any future expansion would require a separate amendment and public process.

Next steps: The county clerk will record the ordinance amendment and staff will update records to reflect the Waterside CDD’s expanded boundary. Any future assessment or bond issuance would follow statutory notice and hearing processes required for CDD financings.","The Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance amending the Waterside Community Development District boundary from about 179.9 acres to approximately 216.37 acres to match recent PUD amendments. The measure passed 3-2 after commissioners debated taxation, land use compatibility and assessment mechanics.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6197206,"Martin County to donate 0.27-acre Golden Gate parcel to Police Athletic League for community facility",1012,3916000,4928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853691-1fdbee1c431be30e7f8fd97815164b93&start=3916&end=4928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853691-1fdbee1c431be30e7f8fd97815164b93/thumbnail_3916000.jpg","/articles/6197206/Martin-County/Florida/Martin-County-to-donate-027-acre-Golden-Gate-parcel-to-Police-Athletic-League-for-community-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197206-0f22a7766699e84734b2bd8b8d0526f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023624&Signature=GUwoFEPHOgjJcgDD2Sj2t0pFVmvk64WkLqov6lF77L4zNi8e~E~SnoiD7lWs7fAlwKX1hId2fsDmR2uf3K~GjTSoxeCVx40HAzIMfPsGQGCMHqg-mv-9Opn1LkKRVSkOVZBQsf8vjT7bigTFC-zbCOXEtKIprzYfEyh2CI0PZxvHSupuUpFFCqoq3bBUGbQEd4RZSoL-7UFFtBCINT8hRKcnQhpP3S~bVKlGCRXa8tavw0TY8v7AFpHNhmyKx8cNbRItbr9gSydp1stBaSk46OzzNcobJ443poiVNR-4jsfbv1DCnWLuK2by4pYGVvrm9OGxxR9f1MvX2BcA1mVCnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Martin County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously June 17 to surplus and donate a 0.27-acre county parcel at 2769 Southeast Fairmont Street in Golden Gate to the Martin County Police Athletic League (P.A.L.). The board’s action follows a public hearing and presentations from county staff and dozens of residents who said the youth-mentoring nonprofit has expanded services countywide.

The donation will transfer the county-owned vacant parcel to P.A.L. under Florida Statute 274.05 after the nonprofit finalizes design and site requirements. Sandy Johns, real property specialist with Public Works, told the board: “This is a public hearing to request board direction for a 0.27 acre vacant county owned parcel currently located at 2769 Southeast Fairmont Street in Golden Gate.”

Why it matters: Speakers at the meeting said a permanent building would let P.A.L. run year-round programs on site, reduce travel times for participants and expand mentorship, leadership and diversion programming that county speakers described as reducing juvenile justice involvement. Noel Del Veil, identified in the record as executive director of Martin County P.A.L., urged commissioners to treat the transfer as “not as a transaction of property, but as a life changing investment.”

Details and debate: Staff said the county approved an option-to-lease with P.A.L. in 2020; during the site-planning process, the nonprofit determined the single parcel was too small and acquired an adjoining lot, which requires common ownership for unification. Commissioners discussed the parcel as surplus county property and the legal mechanism under state law to donate surplus land to adjacent nonprofit operators. Several commissioners, including Commissioner Campe and Commissioner Hetherington, described long interactions with P.A.L. and its leadership and noted a reversion clause and other protections for Martin County if the lot is not used for the intended public purpose.

Public input was heavily in favor. Dozens of current and former P.A.L. participants, volunteers and community partners described leadership, mentoring, boxing, drumline, diversion and tobacco/opioid-prevention programs. Testimonials included youth and parents describing job training, scholarships and mentorship that speakers credited to the organization.

Formal action: Commissioner Campe moved to accept staff’s recommendation to surplus and donate the 0.27-acre parcel at 2769 Southeast Fairmont Street to the Martin County Police Athletic League pursuant to Florida Statute 274.05; Commissioner Hetherington seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The board recorded no separate amendments.

Next steps: The nonprofit will proceed with finalizing architectural plans and other requirements under the prior option-to-lease and the donation conditions; staff will coordinate property conveyance and ensure the reversion provisions are included in the deed. No construction start date was specified at the hearing.

Ending note: Commissioners and many public speakers framed the donation as a long-sought permanent home for P.A.L. after years of mobile programming, leased spaces and school-based activities.","The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to surplus and donate a 0.27-acre county parcel at 2769 SE Fairmont Street in Golden Gate to the Martin County Police Athletic League to support a permanent facility after the nonprofit demonstrated fundraising progress and community demand.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners urge swim-safety outreach after two child drownings; parks staff says free lessons available

Commission directs Driven Brands applicant to renegotiate Cannery Square PUD after contested zoning hearing

Board approves expansion of Waterside Community Development District boundaries after public hearing; 3-2 vote

Martin County to donate 0.27-acre Golden Gate parcel to Police Athletic League for community facility