Local Planning Agency approves Chauncey Bay Ranch PUD allowing 40-foot homes near Rim Canal

The Martin County Local Planning Agency on Feb. 20 recommended approval of a planned unit development zoning agreement and master final site plan for the Chauncey Bay Ranch project, a proposed nine‑lot single‑family subdivision on about 18.2 acres on the west side of Southwest Connors Highway near the Rim Canal.

Staff presented the application as a rezoning request from the existing RE2A (rural estate density) zoning district to a Planned Unit Development so the project can meet the comprehensive plan’s rural‑density maximum building height of 40 feet. Brian Elam, principal planner with the Growth Management Department, told the board the proposal would result in nine two‑acre lots (about 0.49 units per acre), exceed minimum open‑space requirements by about 25 percent, and include a request for a certificate of public facilities reservation.

The applicant, Matthew Barnes, senior project manager with WGI, said the PUD seeks the 10‑foot increase from the RE2A zoning limit of 30 feet to the 40‑foot maximum allowed by the Rural Density future land‑use category so future houses can see over the top of the Lake Okeechobee dike. Barnes described site design elements he said go “above and beyond” basic code requirements: a dry retention/stormwater system sized to retain runoff from a 100‑year, three‑day storm with an emergency outfall to the Rim Canal (the project’s legal positive outfall), preservation of roughly 109 of 158 existing trees (about 70 percent), and a proposed planting of about 466 new trees. He also said the applicant will provide a one‑time public benefit payment of $6,000 to Martin County Fire Rescue to purchase a single traffic signal preemption device for first‑responder benefit.

Board members asked technical questions about setbacks, shoreline protection zones, septic and well systems, driveway spacing and height measurement. Pete Walden, deputy growth management director, explained there is no shoreline protection zone on those inland Rim Canal segments and that the project will use on‑site wells and septic. Barnes said driveway aprons conform to FDOT spacing rules and that the plans show 660 feet between driveway aprons. He also said the conceptual building elevations anticipate the lowest level used for garages with two habitable stories above.

Several members expressed concern about the PUD allowing an additional vertical 10 feet above the RE2A zoning limit and about whether any rooftop or upper‑level space could be used as habitable living space. One board member asked that PUD language be added to prohibit habitable space on the topmost elevated level (described in the meeting as a porch/roof deck or lookout rather than a bedroom). That proposed condition failed to be attached to the approving motion after the commission moved two competing motions: a motion to deny the application failed for lack of a second, and a motion to approve “as submitted” carried by a 3–2 vote.

Action and next steps: The Local Planning Agency voted to forward a recommendation of approval to the County Commission (approval passed 3–2). The PUD agreement as approved by the LPA did not include an explicit restriction preventing habitable space on the top elevated level; the LPA discussion noted members could continue to negotiate such language as the PUD moves through subsequent review.

Project and site details recorded in the hearing: approximately 18.2 acres; nine single‑family lots at two acres each; residential density reported as 0.49 units per acre; proposed maximum building height sought 40 feet (comprehensive plan rural‑density standard) versus 30 feet allowed in the RE2A zoning district; stormwater designed to retain the 100‑year, three‑day event with emergency outfall to the Rim Canal; on‑site wells and septic; FDOT driveway spacing shown at 660 feet; public benefit contribution of $6,000 to Martin County Fire Rescue; tree preservation of about 109 of 158 existing trees and proposed planting of roughly 466 new trees.

Speakers who addressed the PUD included Brian Elam (principal planner, Growth Management Department), Matthew Barnes (senior project manager, WGI, applicant), Pete Walden (deputy growth management director), and several LPA members identified in the record as Mr. Brown, Jim (board member), Rick (board member) and Howard (board member). The LPA’s recommendation will be transmitted to the County Commission for final action.