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Stuart commission authorizes pursuit of Haney Creek/Aan Lea land acquisitions and a Baker Road trail head
Summary
The City of Stuart approved Resolution 35‑2026 directing city staff to pursue conservation purchases and to nominate undeveloped Aan Lea parcels to Martin County’s Environmental Lands Oversight Committee using proceeds from the county half‑cent sales tax; commissioners discussed access, safety, and potential county partnership.
The City of Stuart commission voted to authorize city staff to pursue acquisition and nomination of multiple undeveloped Aan Lea parcels near Haney Creek and to move the previously authorized US‑1 trail head to a proposed Baker Road location.
The resolution (35‑2026) directs the city manager to negotiate option agreements and to submit parcel nomination forms to Martin County’s Environmental Lands Oversight Committee (ELOC) for consideration under the half‑cent infrastructure sales tax program approved by voters in 2024. Staff said several parcel owners indicated preliminary willingness to discuss sales and that county staff signaled interest in collaborating on acquisitions and stewardship.
Commissioners discussed site access and safety for the proposed Baker Road trail head, noting traffic near a nearby school and the desirability of separate access rather than combining trail parking with commercial ingress. A county representative at the meeting described the Aan Lea parcels as environmentally sensitive and supportive of preservation; he also noted past county–city collaboration on the adjacent Haney Creek preservation.
Staff said any purchase would come back to the commission for formal approval and that acquisitions could occur in stages over the ten‑year sales‑tax funding period. The commission voted by roll call to approve the resolution; all members present voted yes.
Ending: City staff will begin nomination and negotiation steps and report back to the commission with recommended option agreements and any county partnership details.
