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Commission schedules neighborhood workshop, staff to deliver zoomed-in maps for East Stewart zoning review
Summary
City commissioners agreed to hold a neighborhood meeting at Tenth Street Recreation Center to present zoomed-in maps and gather resident feedback on proposed map amendments and conditional-use rules for the East Stewart area.
The City Commission of the City of Stuart agreed to schedule a neighborhood meeting at the Tenth Street Recreation Center to show enlarged, street-level maps of the East Stewart area and gather local feedback on proposed map amendments and conditional-use rules.
Commissioners and staff emphasized the objective of using satellite imagery and detailed street-level labels so residents can see existing uses (houses, churches, businesses) and compare them to proposed zoning categories. City Manager Martel told the commission staff will “zoom in on those maps and break it into 3 maps” and present each for roughly 30 minutes followed by public input so the neighborhood can see transitions between single-family, GRO (general residential office) and BMU (business mixed use).
Why it matters: Commissioners said the neighborhood meeting is intended to clarify what zoning would allow on specific lots and to reduce misunderstandings that arose at prior sessions. Commissioners referenced petitions received and widespread public attendance at the earlier Tenth Street meeting as reasons to provide clearer, more focused displays and a structured way for the public to weigh in.
What the meeting will cover: Staff described a plan to present three focused map areas, showing (1) existing land uses in satellite view, (2) the current zoning color-coded to match historical 1978 zoning, and (3) what new uses would be allowed. The commission discussed how to collect public input during the meeting — options included dot-sticker polling, hand-raising, or asking residents/property owners to identify themselves — and repeatedly cautioned that an in-meeting poll is advisory only and not binding on the commission.
Petitions and public input: Commissioners noted the city had received 338 petitions related to the matter. Some commissioners questioned the petitions’ specificity and evidentiary value; others said in-person feedback from residents who live in the neighborhood should be a significant data point. Several commissioners warned staff to make clear in notices if a poll will be taken and to explain how the commission will use that information.
Conditional uses and code edits: Commissioners discussed narrowing or removing conditional-use requirements for lower-intensity uses (for example, barbershops, restaurants, child care) while retaining conditional review for more intensive uses such as multifamily or mixed-use developments. Staff and commissioners agreed staff would produce suggested code language and parameters before the items proceed to the Local Planning Agency (LPA) and the County Review Board (CRB).
Process and next steps: The commission asked staff to prepare enlarged printouts for attendees, define acronyms on handouts, and provide clear notice language describing the meeting format and any poll. Staff will return with proposed language for conditional uses and with the map amendment parameters before the matter goes to LPA and CRB.
