Stuart commissioners adopt Land Development Code changes, pull East Stewart use table for community meeting

The City Commission of the City of Stuart on Monday adopted Ordinance No. 25‑39‑2025, a package of revisions to the city’s Land Development Code covering Chapters 2 (zoning districts, uses, density/intensity), 3 (special zoning codes), 5 (resource protection) and 6 (on‑ and off‑site development standards), while removing a disputed table that lists permitted uses for the East Stewart neighborhood for separate public review.

The revisions shorten allowable densities, raise some parking minimums for multifamily and change how many uses in East Stewart would be handled — converting a number of “allowed by right” entries into a conditional‑use (CU) process that requires public notice and hearings. Development director Jody Kugler said applicants seeking such CU approvals “would have to do public notices within 300 feet, place a sign on the property, and a ad in the newspaper” so neighbors would be informed and able to comment.

Why it matters: The changes were presented as part of the city’s zoning‑in‑progress (ZIP) update aimed at clarifying lot/parcel rules, reducing maximum densities and updating development standards. Supporters described the CU change as adding community safeguards; opponents said the revisions and the process so far risk either permitting significant new intensity in a historic neighborhood or, conversely, imposing a costly conditional‑use hurdle that could hinder property owners.

Most important details

- The commission approved Ordinance 25‑39‑2025 by a 4‑1 vote (Commissioner Clark, Commissioner Gioby, Commissioner Reid and Vice Mayor Collins voted yes; Mayor Rich voted no). The ordinance text amends multiple chapters of the City of Stuart land development code and will be codified if no further legal or procedural steps stop it.

- Commissioners agreed unanimously to remove the East Stewart permitted uses table (Figure ESN‑08) from the ordinance package and hold a focused community workshop to review that table and any requested map amendments. The board set a March 20 workshop to present the historical map comparisons and to collect resident input.

- Key ordinance changes discussed in the meeting (staff summary): reduce maximum multifamily density from 30 units per acre to 20 units per acre in several districts; change minimum parcel thresholds (staff referenced moving many minimums to 6,000 square feet for new parcels); increase required multifamily parking to 2.5 spaces per unit; and convert many previously allowable uses to conditional uses in East Stewart (the CU process triggers public notices and hearings).

What residents and commissioners said

Commissioner Reid read an email from a resident asking for more time and public discussion: “I hope you are able to encourage your fellow commissioners to allow more time for the community to discuss how it wants to go forward with the zoning issues involving E Stewart.” Several public speakers urged a pause and fuller local outreach. Audra Creech, a longtime county resident, told commissioners, “This is theirs,” urging officials to return to East Stewart residents and show them maps and permitted‑use tables before finalizing changes.

East Stewart community members repeatedly asked for a neighborhood‑level process. Charles Jones, who said he grew up in East Stuart, told the commission: “We want to be a part of the decisions.” Albert Brinkley, an East Stewart resident, said the area has been treated unfairly: “I find it offensive when we said we didn't want ... form based code and you did it anyway.”

Staff explanation and next steps

Development Director Jody Kugler and GIS staff demonstrated a new internal web map tool to show parcels by zoning category and to highlight vacant parcels and active projects. Kugler told the commission the ordinance language aims to preserve development rights where a prior development order remains active: “All parcels assigned a parcel ID number and recognized by the City of Stuart as of 09/04/2024 shall be conforming and exempt from the minimum parcel size requirement.”

Commissioners agreed to pull the East Stewart permitted‑uses table (ESN‑08) from the package and to hold a community meeting at the Tenth Street civic center (proposed March 20 at 5:30 p.m.) where staff will show historical zoning maps (pre‑1998, 2004 changes, and present), permitted‑use tables and the proposed code language so residents can comment before the commission votes on that specific piece.

Ending

With the ordinance approved and the East Stewart table pulled for a workshop, the most immediate next steps are the March 20 community meeting and staff follow‑up on community outreach materials. The ZIP package remains in effect for the provisions adopted Monday; the East Stewart permitted‑use table will return for further public review before any final local code change affecting that table is enacted.