Martin County LPA approves Martin Commerce Park PUD with fire-station donation and signal requirement

The Martin County Local Planning Agency voted to approve a planned unit development (PUD) rezoning and master site plan for the Martin Commerce Park project on Nov. 20, clearing the way for the conversion of roughly 167.18 acres near the I‑95/Martin Highway interchange to industrial use.

Brian Elam, principal planner with the Growth Management Department, told the panel the applicant seeks rezoning under the PUD process and submitted a master site plan, phasing plan and amended preserve area management plan. Elam noted prior comprehensive-plan amendments and Ordinances 12-33 and 12-34 that allow a nonresidential development cap of 1,100,000 square feet and require future development approval through a PUD.

Morris Crady, senior partner with Lucido & Associates, representing Martin Commerce Park LLC, said the project will be nonresidential only and reiterated conditions tied to prior approvals. "We are committing to the donation of a fire station site on property adjacent to the PUD," Crady said, adding the owner will also restore about 2.75 acres of upland habitat and increase open space on the property to roughly 54% from the 20% minimum.

Crady and project representatives described phase 1 as including construction of roads, utilities, drainage infrastructure, preserve-area restoration, and the proposed signalized intersection at Stewart West Boulevard and Martin Highway. Crady said the traffic signal must be in place "prior to the first certificate of occupancy" for the first industrial building; the applicant said it is coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation and Martin County on permitting and timing.

Stephanie Guerra, the project's traffic engineer with Kimley‑Horn, said the team has produced a signal-warrant analysis and expects the signal will meet FDOT warrant criteria for phase 1. "They typically are not in favor of having a light that's flashing for part of the day," Guerra said, but added the team will work with FDOT and the county on signal timing and actuation to limit disruptions.

The application requests a single developer benefit: an increase in maximum building height from 30 feet (standard within the LI district) to 40 feet to meet market and tenant needs. An Ashley Capital representative identified in the transcript as Morton said most modern industrial tenants require higher clear heights for racking and forklift operations and described typical interior clearances of 28 to 32 feet.

After board discussion — including a suggestion from Growth Management Director Paul Schilling that the county could consider a broader code change if 40-foot industrial buildings become more common — a motion to approve the PUD zoning agreement, master site plan, phasing plan, and amended preserve area management plan was made and seconded by Mr. Brown. The board approved the motion by voice vote; members responded "Aye." Applicant and staff thanked the board and the meeting was adjourned.

What happens next: the application was advertised for the Martin County Commission meeting on Dec. 9 (as the applicant noted), and staff indicated related items are scheduled for the LPA’s Dec. 4 meeting calendar. The PUD approval includes the donated fire-station site commitment, preserve-area restoration and the requirement that the signal be installed before the first certificate of occupancy for phase 1.