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Stuart officials say referendum needed to convert 2-acre Haney Creek parcel; developer offers to build trailhead on adjacent county land
Summary
City staff told commissioners that state and local rules require a public referendum to change the commercial designation of a 2-acre parcel at Haney Creek; a county property owner on U.S. 1 offered to pay to build and maintain a nearby trailhead, prompting debate on traffic, annexation and long-term maintenance.
City Manager Mike Mortel told the City Commission that the city must return to voters to change the zoning and use of a two-acre parcel carved from the Haney Creek purchase and held by the city for commercial lease to fund park maintenance. Mortel described city code and the 2011 interlocal "funding agreement" with Martin County as the reason a referendum is required before the city can convert that 2-acre parcel from commercial to conservation or long‑term preservation.
Mortel said the relevant city-code referral points commissioners to a publicization requirement and to the supervisor of elections, and that the county supervisor asked that a resolution with referendum language be adopted at least 60 days before an election. Mortel told the commission the city may either hold a special election (costly, probably…
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