Martin County LPA approves mandatory rezoning for Gaston Family Holdings marine sales site in Stuart

The Martin County Local Planning Agency voted March 6 to rezone a 2.15-acre marine sales and service property at 4900 Southeast Federal Highway in Stuart from B-1 Business District and R-3A Liberal Multiple-Family District to GC General Commercial District.

The rezoning is a mandatory map amendment to align the site—s zoning with its future land-use designation, staff said. John Sennett, senior planner with Growth Management, told the agency staff found the application compliant with the county—s comprehensive growth management plan and recommended approval.

Sennett described the site—s surroundings and zoning: the property sits about 20 feet south of Southeast Carroll Street and Southeast Federal Highway. To the north and west are mobile-home communities and R-3A zoning; across U.S. 1 are existing GC-zoned commercial properties including Sky King Fireworks, O—Reilly Auto Parts and Harley-Davidson. The site—s proposed GC district includes development standards staff noted: maximum building coverage 60 percent, maximum building height 40 feet, minimum open space 20 percent, and setbacks of 25 feet front, 20 feet rear and 10 feet on the sides.

Bob Raines, an attorney with the Gunster law firm representing Gaston Family Holdings, said the GC designation would recognize the property—s long-running commercial use. Raines said the marina has operated since the 1990s and that the Gaston family has operated the business since "02/2005," and asked the agency to accept staff—s recommendation: "we would ask you to accept staff's recommendation."

Agency members discussed the mandatory nature of the rezoning. One board member called the procedure "a bunch of baloney," and Sennett and other staff explained the quasi-judicial hearing and mandatory rezoning stem from the county zoning code and state law requirements for due process; staff noted the county—s historic zoning classifications had changed several times without a full rezoning, creating the present mandatory process.

With no members of the public signed up to speak, an agency member moved to approve the staff recommendation; another seconded the motion. The agency voted in favor; the motion carried.

The Local Planning Agency also approved the meeting minutes at the start of the session and discussed scheduling for upcoming meetings.

The rezoning will update the official zoning atlas to reflect the General Commercial future land-use designation for the parcel at 4900 Southeast Federal Highway. Staff advised the GC district allows the marine sales and service use under the county—s zoning regulations.