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Commission approves 7J's North Industrial Park PUD amendment to deepen Lake 2 to 40 feet after developer offers $100,000 toward fire station
Summary
The commission approved an amendment to the 7J's North Industrial Park planned unit development to increase Lake 2 depth from 20 to 40 feet; applicant offered a $100,000 contribution toward a Western Palm City fire station during debate.
The Board of County Commissioners approved a first amendment to the 7J's North Industrial Park planned unit development agreement, allowing the developer to deepen the existing Lake 2 from 20 feet to 40 feet and updating the master final site plan.
Staff recommended approval and said the change modifies PUD exhibits to reflect the deeper lake; Brian Elam, principal planner, told the board the project remains a permit‑ready industrial park. As part of the approval, Palm City Holdings LLC agreed to provide a public benefit payment toward a potential Western Palm City fire station. Counsel for the applicant said the company would increase an initial offer of $50,000 to $100,000 as a "show of good faith." Commissioner Campy moved to accept staff's recommendation and Commissioner Hetherington seconded. The motion passed 4–1 with Commissioner Hurd dissenting.
Engineer Steven Cooper, who prepared the original site plan, told the board the change was limited to the lake depth to allow use of on‑site fill rather than trucking material in or out. Cooper described littoral shelves and other water‑quality measures that remain on the revised plans.
Commissioners debated the appropriate public benefit. Commissioner Vargas said the fire station cost would be roughly $17 million and asked whether the developer could increase the offer. Counsel for the applicant said $100,000 was the fair number; Vargas requested the applicant check again. Commissioner Campy and others described the applicant's longstanding development activity in the area and said the expanded lake depth request was minor because the project existed previously.
Later in the session, county staff and legal counsel discussed consistency with the county's Land Development Regulations, including provisions that allow deviations for planned unit developments. Commissioner Hurd raised questions about whether PUD approvals can waive LDR standards; staff and the county attorney's office said the county's PUD provisions allow negotiated standards provided the development remains consistent with the comprehensive plan.
The approval included a requirement that the applicant contribute the agreed sum to the county for the Western Palm City fire station design or construction effort.
