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Commissioners approve rezoning for Jensen Beach mobile‑home/RV site over objections about sewer hookup
Summary
The board approved a rezoning that converts an expired Pitchford’s Landing PUD into RS‑5 (low‑density residential) and LC (limited commercial) zoning across roughly 17.27 acres near Northeast Indian River Drive; commissioners debated sewer hookup requirements and impacts on existing residents before a 4‑1 vote.
Martin County commissioners on May 20 approved a rezoning for property in Jensen Beach formerly governed by the Pitchford’s Landing planned unit development, changing the zoning to RS‑5 (low‑density residential) and LC (limited commercial). The board voted 4‑1; Commissioner Vargas cast the dissenting vote.
County staff told the board the 17.27‑acre property contains multiple parcels bisected by Northeast Indian River Drive and the Florida East Coast Railroad; existing future land use is a mix of low‑density and commercial‑limited. Brian Elam, principal planner in Growth Management, explained staff’s recommendation to rezone the parcels to zoning districts that match underlying future land use.
Commissioner Vargas pressed staff on utilities, saying the county’s comprehensive plan policy 10.2(a)4 requires multifamily and nonresidential properties to connect to a regional sanitary sewer within 365 days of notice when gravity sewer or a force main with capacity is adjacent to the property. Vargas described sewer hookup as “an important policy for the protection of waterways in Martin County, especially those waterways that have been impaired.”
Terry McCarthy, speaking for the property owner, urged caution about tying rezoning to immediate sewer installation. He said many residents in the existing mobile‑home/RV park are elderly and would face higher costs if utilities were required immediately: “If you come in and put in the water and sewer you’re gonna disrupt their lives. The rent will go up. ... It’ll kill some of them.” The applicant’s representative said the owner intends to maintain the existing park use and that any utility hookup or site plan for future development would be considered later and could be part of a separate PUD negotiation.
Deputy Growth Management Director Peter Walden told the board staff can prepare a later agenda item evaluating sewer and water connection options and incentives, and that the county can pursue enforcement of the comprehensive plan policy if the board directs it. Counsel confirmed that the expired PUD contains hookup language but that the PUD expired and any mandated hookups would need to be addressed separately or as part of a negotiated PUD or site plan review.
Dina Freeman, representing the applicant, said rezoning is a “color change on a map” consistent with the comprehensive plan and argued site‑specific standards, setbacks and hookup issues are appropriately considered at the site plan stage or in a renegotiated PUD. Commissioners discussed enforcement options and whether to table the rezoning; after discussion Commissioner Capps moved approval; the motion passed 4‑1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.
Action does not itself require immediate utility hookup; staff committed to follow up with options for enforcing or encouraging sewer connection where state and county policy applies. The developer indicated willingness to meet with staff about utility and site plan issues going forward.
