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Martin County planners approve land-use change and rezoning for Coral Gardens vacuum sewer station
Summary
The Local Planning Agency unanimously approved a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment and concurrent rezoning on 4.2 acres to permit a vacuum-based sewer station that staff says will serve about 638 homes in Coral Gardens.
Martin County’s Local Planning Agency voted unanimously April 3 to approve a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment and a concurrent rezoning for a 4.2-acre site intended to host a vacuum-based sewer station for the Coral Gardens community.
Planner Amy Offenbach of the Martin County Growth Management Department told the agency the request—filed by the Board of County Commissioners as the applicant—would change the site’s future land use from “institutional recreational” to “institutional general” and rezone the parcel from PR (public recreation) to PS‑1 (public service‑1).
The change is intended to allow construction of a vacuum sewer system designed to serve roughly 638 homes in the Coral Gardens area. Offenbach said the parcel sits south of Southeast Pomeray Street at the northeast corner of Southeast Willoughby Boulevard and Southeast Coral Lakes Way and is highlighted in staff maps submitted with the application.
Staff’s analysis found the proposed future land use amendment meets three of the four criteria in section 1.11 of the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan and meets statutory anti‑sprawl criteria required by state law, and staff recommended approval. Offenbach also noted the amendment is consistent with the plan’s policies for the general institutional designation. Leo Orpeti from Utilities and Solid Waste joined the staff presentation.
Planning staff explained that the PS‑1 zoning district is one of two zones (PS‑1 and PS‑2) that implement the institutional‑general future land use; PS‑1 allows fewer and less intensive uses than PS‑2. Staff pointed out both districts require 40% open space under the development standards in the zoning tables provided to the agency.
No interveners or members of the public offered comment during the hearings. Paul Schelling (recorded in the meeting as growth management staff) confirmed proofs of public notice and mailings were received and are in the work file.
Member Moore moved to approve staff’s recommendation; Dr. Brown seconded. Member Chen verbally indicated his support when the chair called for the vote; the motion passed unanimously.
Because this was presented as a small‑scale amendment and a concurrent rezoning, staff noted the request represents the first of two required public hearings; the item will return to the agency for the second hearing as the review process continues.
