Martin County planning panel recommends approval of Hope Sound storage site plan pending land‑use and rezoning votes

The Martin County Local Planning Agency on Feb. 6 recommended approval of a major final site plan for a three‑story, approximately 94,132‑square‑foot residential storage facility in Hope Sound, but the recommendation is contingent on the Board of County Commissioners approving a future‑land‑use map amendment and rezoning that would allow the use.

Staff recommended approval for the Live Oak Capital Partners application, and the LPA voted to forward that recommendation to the county commission. Brian Elam, the principal planner for Growth Management, told the panel that “Staff's recommendation of approval of the Live Oak Capital Partners application for major final site plan approval ... is contingent upon the Board of County Commissioners approving an amendment to the future land use map” and the corresponding rezoning from RS‑6 (medium‑density residential) to GC (general commercial).

Why it matters: If the Board of County Commissioners does not approve the future‑land‑use and rezoning applications, the proposed storage use would not be permitted on the property and the site plan would be moot. If the commission approves the two approvals, the LPA found the proposed development meets the county's Land Development Regulations and related engineering, drainage and transportation requirements.

Details of the proposal and staff findings

The application, submitted by Thomas Engineering Group LLC on behalf of Live Oak Capital Partners, seeks major final site plan approval and a preserve area…