Commissioners schedule second public hearing on brownfield designation for waterfront site tied to Ferrer Construction

Martin County commissioners on Jan. 28 voted to schedule the second required public hearing for a request to designate a 7.75‑acre property at 9670 Southwest Marine Way as a brownfield. The hearing was set for Feb. 11, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., with the board also considering whether to hold the hearing before 5 p.m.; the motion to schedule the hearing before 5 p.m. passed 4‑0 with Commissioner Hetherington abstaining.

Senior planner Jenna Nobby told the board the property owner, 9670 Southwest Marine Way LLC, seeks a formal brownfield designation under Florida law so it can enter a site rehabilitation agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and pursue state incentives such as the Voluntary Cleanup Tax Credit program.

Brett Brumman of Goldstone Environmental Law Firm, speaking for the applicant, said the site’s approved minor final site plan contemplates a marine construction facility — including a 12,000‑square‑foot warehouse, a 7,900‑square‑foot office, a boat ramp, bulkhead and parking — and that Ferrer Construction intends to use the property as a water‑dependent base of operations for dock building, bulkheads and dredging. Brumman said the development could create about 30 full‑time equivalent jobs paying roughly $20–$35 an hour.

Brumman and staff explained the site’s environmental history: the property had agricultural uses through 1986 and that historical pesticide and herbicide application left isolated areas of soil and groundwater contamination. The applicant has submitted a soil management plan approved by FDEP in November and has been conducting semiannual groundwater monitoring. Brumman estimated soil management costs at about $300,000; ongoing groundwater monitoring post‑construction is expected to be “tens of thousands” of dollars.

County staff and the applicant emphasized that brownfield designation itself does not approve the site plan or construction; it is a first step that allows the owner to enter voluntary cleanup agreements with FDEP and to seek partial reimbursement via the state’s tax‑credit program. Brumman said the state’s Voluntary Cleanup Tax Credit typically reimburses roughly 50 percent of eligible costs in a year, subject to per‑site caps and statewide program caps; the legislature recently increased program funding and the statute also provides a completion bonus for projects that obtain a site rehabilitation completion order.

Commissioners asked about the cleanup costs, job creation, and protections for wildlife; Brumman noted a wildlife survey identified several gopher tortoises and that the applicant has submitted a relocation plan to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and will not begin construction until relocation is permitted.

Commissioner Campey moved to accept staff’s recommendation to schedule the second public hearing before 5 p.m.; Commissioner Capps seconded. The motion passed 4‑0 with Commissioner Hetherington recusing (she filed the required Form 8B).