Board approves gates and putting green at 429 South Beach with county call-box permit and no-lighting condition

The Development Review Board approved modifications at 429 South Beach Road that include two driveway gates and a synthetic putting green subject to conditions addressing right-of-way use, lighting and construction activity.

Catherine Harding summarized staff recommendations that a DEP permit be provided prior to permitting for the putting green and that the applicant obtain a site plan showing the call box within the property lines. Applicant representatives said Martin County’s right-of-way is wider south of the S-curve and that they are coordinating with county staff for a right-of-way use permit for a call box in the South Beach Road swale.

Landscape architect Richard Rutledge described a multi-layer planting strategy—sea grapes, clusia hedges and coconut palms—to screen views into the property and obscure the gate lines. He said the proposed putting green is tucked on the south side and that they received a DEP field permit for the surface. Board members asked whether lighting or noise would be issues; staff and the applicant said no lighting is proposed or allowed by DEP for that location (pathway amber lights are limited but would not illuminate a putting green).

As conditions for approval, the board required Martin County to provide a right-of-way use permit for the call box in the South Beach Road swale, that the putting green have no lights, and that construction gates be closed after hours. The board approved the application by voice vote with those conditions. Board members also asked the contractor to ensure construction gates are closed at night and the builder said he would follow up.

The board’s action leaves standard permit conditions in place: gate placement within the property line, a staging plan and gatekeeper during construction, and required verification of the county permit for the call box prior to any building permit issuance.