Magistrate orders Meadow Run to stop non‑emergency access from Layton Farms, allows narrow exception for very large trucks

A Martin County magistrate on April 16 ordered Meadow Run Property Owners Association to stop non‑emergency access into the Meadow Run subdivision from Southwest Layton Farms Avenue by April 17, 2025, and to secure the gate. The magistrate said daily civil fines of $500 will begin if the association does not comply; the county is also to be reimbursed $575 for investigation costs.

The order follows testimony from Jerry Mitchell, senior site compliance officer for Martin County, who said the approved master site plan—originally approved in February 2004 when the community was known as Fox Grove—designates the Layton Farms access for emergency use only and shows the approved emergency opening between Lots 49 and 50. Mitchell presented aerial images and photographs, described multiple inspections and incidents between Jan. 24 and early April, and said he observed vehicles repeatedly entering the subdivision through the southern cul‑de‑sac on Layton Farms where access is prohibited.

Why it matters: County staff argued the unapproved access violates the development order and land‑use controls for Meadow Run, potentially creating safety, traffic and drainage concerns that site‑plan review originally aimed to avoid.

Scott Lee, attorney for Meadow Run Property Owners Association, and board member Jeff Cable said the community has ongoing construction and that large construction vehicles have difficulty using the main entrance on Southwest 40 Eighth Avenue (Citrus Boulevard). Lee said the association has submitted a revised major final site plan and “we submitted all the documents, paid upwards of $9,000 in fees” and expects the application to reach the Board of County Commissioners in roughly two to four months. Cable described the subdivision as roughly 91 lots with about 36 homes built and several lots under construction and said very large trucks have damaged the front entry infrastructure.

Paul Schilling, Martin County growth management director, testified there is a clear legal distinction between an emergency access—intended for fire, rescue and law enforcement and normally secured with a Knox box—and a construction access, which is to be reviewed and approved through the county’s site‑construction or site‑prep permitting. He said county records show no construction entrance was requested or approved at the Layton Farms southern point when the development was permitted in 2004.

After hearing arguments and reviewing photographic evidence, the magistrate ordered the association to secure the Layton Farms access by April 17, 2025. Because of the practical difficulties shown in testimony—particularly for very large tractor‑trailers and concrete pump trucks that, officials said, cannot safely navigate the front gate—the magistrate carved a limited, temporary exception allowing oversized/tall construction vehicles to use the Layton Farms opening only until the county commissioners decide the pending site‑plan amendment. The magistrate warned that if county staff witnesses violations of the order the exception will be revoked and the full compliance and fines will apply.

The magistrate also directed the association to reimburse the county $575 for investigation costs. The order and the exception are prospective; the magistrate said enforcement of fines would begin only after the compliance deadline if the association had not secured the gate.

Next steps: The association intends to pursue the site‑plan amendment before the Board of County Commissioners; county staff said major revised final site‑plan reviews can take several months depending on completeness and board scheduling. The magistrate encouraged the parties to prepare a proposed written order to reflect the oral ruling and to circulate it to county counsel and the association for any edits.

Sources: testimony and exhibits admitted at the Martin County Code Enforcement Magistrate hearing, April 16, 2025. Direct quotes are taken from court transcript excerpts.