Commission approves minor PUD amendment to expand Martin County building department facility

The City of Stuart Commission on May 20 approved Resolution No. 50‑2025, a minor PUD amendment that allows a 6,150‑square‑foot expansion of the Martin County Building Department facility on Willoughby Boulevard and Southeast Runkey Street and reduces the scale of previously approved later phases.

Planner Michelle Arvazal summarized staff’s review: the health‑department/public‑service PUD covers two parcels totaling about 15.19 acres; the building department sits on the eastern parcel (about 10.11 acres) and the proposed expansion will fit within the PUD’s impervious‑surface limits. The project adds 39 new parking spaces and proposes stormwater management inlets directing runoff to the site’s drainage areas. The city’s traffic analysis estimated roughly 39 additional daily trips from the addition and concluded no turn lanes are warranted.

Arvazal told the commission that the proposal would reduce the previously anticipated square footage of phases 2 and 3 and that the expansion will adhere to the city’s architectural standards. “Staff does find the proposed development to be consistent with the city's land development regulations and comprehensive plan,” she said.

Applicant Jeff Daugherty, speaking for the county building department, said the existing building was not originally constructed as a building‑department facility and needs redesigned space and resiliency features. “This will satisfy that. We'll have a generator, and we'll have full capability to stay there during the storm if needed,” Daugherty said, describing a Category‑4 facility standard and the department’s role in post‑storm damage assessment.

The commission approved the minor amendment by unanimous roll call. The approval was conditioned on the PUD amendment documentation; staff and the applicant acknowledged that any future desire to develop the original phase 2 or 3 work would require a major PUD amendment and separate review.