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Commissioners approve Palmar property exchange under settlement agreement
Summary
Martin County approved a resolution authorizing conveyance and acceptance of property required by a previously approved settlement and land exchange; the swap transfers about 559 acres out and will bring roughly 1,100 acres in shared ownership as part of the Palmar settlement.
The Board of County Commissioners voted Feb. 25 to authorize a property exchange tied to a settlement involving Beaman By Land and multiple agencies, including the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. County staff said the swap responds to a November settlement agreement and complies with Florida Statutes requiring public notice and board approval for land transfers.
What passed: County staff described the transaction as conveying approximately 559 acres (some parcels owned solely by the county, some jointly with the water management district) and receiving roughly 1,100 acres in the northern Chimney/Palmar area. The incoming acreage would be split between parcels owned solely by the county, parcels owned solely by the Water Management District, and a majority as joint ownership among the parties. The county attorney noted some further purchases under the settlement could continue into 2026.
Board action: A motion to approve the conveyance carried unanimously. The board recorded no individual roll-call vote in the meeting record; the chair said, "That motion passes unanimously." County staff clarified the South Florida Water Management District separately purchased 45 acres in the transaction and paid that party directly; county funds were not used for that specific purchase.
Why it matters: The transaction implements a court-approved settlement and reconfigures acreage among multiple public entities as described in the settlement. Staff said the transfers are the first set of swaps contemplated by the agreement and that later purchases are scheduled through 2026 and will return to the board as required.
Ending: Commissioners asked for the transfers to proceed as soon as possible and asked staff to continue reporting on the settlement schedule.
