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Board transmits ‘9 Gems’ conservation amendment to state after unanimous vote
Summary
Martin County commissioners unanimously transmitted Comprehensive Plan Amendment 24-219 (the “9 Gems” amendment), changing 1,533 acres from agricultural to institutional public conservation. The property was purchased with a Florida Communities Trust grant and is intended to support restoration of the Loxahatchee River and regional greenways.
The Martin County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 28 to transmit Comprehensive Plan Amendment 24‑219 — known as the “9 Gems” amendment — to the State Land Planning Agency for review. The amendment would change the future land use designation for roughly 1,533 acres from agricultural to institutional/public conservation.
Clyde Doolin, the county’s comprehensive planning administrator, introduced the item and said the amendment was an expedited application initiated by the board. Planner Amy Offenbach told commissioners the property owner is the South Florida Water Management District and Martin County and that the property was purchased with a Florida Communities Trust (FCT) grant and carries deed-restrictive covenants requiring conservation-compatible future land use.
The staff presentation noted the bulk of the site has potential wetlands and that the amendment meets county comprehensive-plan criteria for land-use changes. Michael Houston, senior project manager for Public Works, told the board the Water Management District limited the requested change to the FCT‑purchased parcels, which is why adjacent state‑owned lands were not included in the transmittal.
The parcel sits south of Bridge Road between Pratt & Whitney Road and Interstate 95, and staff said the amendment supports the larger River, Greenway and Ocean-to-Lake connectivity strategy in Martin County. Houston described the property as “critical to the restoration of the northwest fork of the Loxahatchee River,” and noted the parcel’s role in the county’s Ocean‑to‑Lake greenway network.
The local planning agency recommended transmittal by a 4–0 vote on Jan. 16. Following the required local public hearing and staff analysis, the commission voted to transmit the amendment to state agencies for review; after state review it will return to the county for final adoption.
Authorities referenced during the hearing included the Florida Communities Trust grant restrictions, county comprehensive-plan criteria (section 1‑11), and the requirements in Florida statutes that guide changes intended to discourage urban sprawl. Staff recommended transmission; the board voted unanimously to send the amendment to the state for review.
