Commissioners adopt updated CRA architectural design standards after yearlong review

Martin County commissioners voted Jan. 28 to adopt an ordinance amending Article 12 of the county land development regulations to update architectural design standards for the county’s six Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs). The ordinance passed on a 3–2 vote.

The change updates style lists, clarifies how buildings meet the street, and adds a small set of numeric requirements aimed at ensuring visible front-yard articulation. Jessica Seymour of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council told commissioners the update focuses on “the architectural standards” and does not change permitted uses, lot coverage or height limits. “We are also looking at the improvement of the frontage type coordination,” Seymour said during the public hearing presentation.

The new rules add several styles to the county’s palette — including mid-century modern, mission, ranch and Main Street vernacular — and allow greater flexibility in materials and roof types. The package removes some prescriptive elements that staff said raised cost or construction concerns: for example, the draft reduces a required roof overhang from 24 inches to an 18-inch minimum for some styles and removes a strict requirement for gable-end roofs in favor of allowing hip roofs as well. Staff also proposed a 15% façade-transparency requirement for front-facing facades to ensure windows or other openings are present.

Supporters at the hearing said the standards will protect neighborhood character and help guide future redevelopment. “Architectural design standards in Rio…are not new,” said Julie Priest, a long-time Rio neighborhood participant, adding the proposed standards “make it easier for developers, builders and property owners to design neighborhood-appropriate structures that will last the test of time.” Bert Krebs, chair of the Hobe Sound Neighborhood Advisory Committee, told the board the draft “will preserve, protect, and enhance the historic character of our communities.”

Some builders and property owners urged caution. Architect Dan Braden told the board the standards could add costs in certain cases and singled out a separate existing code requirement — a 21-inch minimum finished-floor elevation — as an affordability concern. “The biggest concern is…you're required to have your finished floor be 21 inches above the finished grade,” Braden said, calling that a cost driver and suggesting drainage and enforcement, not prescriptive elevation, should be the remedy.

County staff and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council said the draft reflects extensive public outreach — Neighborhood Advisory Committees, the AIA, builders and the Historic Preservation Board — and that changes were made to increase flexibility and clarify ambiguous terms (for example replacing subjective terms such as “large” or “deep” with numeric ranges). Dana Little said the reference guide produced for the project “shows our work” and provides visual examples and implementation guidance.

The ordinance was advanced after the public hearing; the board debated the measure and approved it 3–2. Commissioners who voiced opposition repeatedly during the hearing cited cost and the potential for frequent requests for alternate compliance if the standards were applied to vacant lots.

The new standards apply only inside the county’s CRAs (about 1% of county land) and are structured so each CRA may apply a subset of styles appropriate to its historic character. Staff said the CRA office has distributed materials widely and will continue outreach as implementation begins.

The ordinance replaces and coordinates multiple existing code sections, adds illustrative materials, increases accessory structure size limits in some cases (from 400 to 450 square feet where specified), clarifies allowed trim and accent colors (including explicit allowance for black accents), and increases options for window types (adding casement windows to certain bungalow-style guidance). It also leaves height and permitted-use limits unchanged unless separately noted in each CRA’s regulations.

Implementation steps described by staff include publication of the Design Standards Reference Guide, a coordinated update of the LDR text to remove duplicate language, and development of an applicant checklist for the CRA review process. The board’s approval sends the ordinance into county records and enables staff to apply the revised standards to permitting and CRA reviews going forward.