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Commission approves ordinance replacing public hearing with presentation for major developments over 50,000 sq. ft.
Summary
The commission approved a text amendment to the City of Stuart land development code removing the earlier public-hearing requirement for major projects greater than 50,000 square feet and replacing it with a public presentation requirement to the commission; the ordinance passed on second reading Sept. 8.
The Stuart City Commission on Sept. 8 adopted Ordinance 25-44 (second reading) amending the land development code to remove a mandatory public hearing for major development projects larger than 50,000 square feet and replace it with a public-presentation requirement to the commission.
Under the revised code language, developers of major projects must provide a presentation to the commission and follow notice requirements, but the item will not trigger an administrative public-hearing procedure that previously included sworn testimony and a formal voting continuum. Staff said the change preserves public notice and an opportunity for the public to hear about large proposals while clarifying the commission’s role as a venue for presentation and information rather than an additional permit vote.
Commissioners discussed whether to allow public comment during the presentation; staff said the commission may exercise discretion to accept public comment but that the amendment intentionally removed the formal hearing and associated voting process. The ordinance passed on a roll call vote after a motion by Vice Mayor Collins and a second by Commissioner Clark.
Why it matters: The code change affects how large development proposals are introduced to the commission and the public: it retains notice and public presentation obligations but reduces the quasi-judicial formalities the hearing format entailed. Developers remain subject to other procedural steps in the land development code and to any advisory-board review or staff review required by the permitting process.
Ending: The ordinance is effective following second-reading adoption and codification; staff said the presentation form will preserve notice while avoiding the constraints of a formal hearing process.
