Atlantic Preserve: A Plum Project for Martin County

During a public hearing on April 11, Martin County Commissioners voted to initiate the process to change the County’s Comprehensive Growth Management Plan to enable the Atlantic Preserve project to move forward.

The property, made up of pristine wetlands and uplands, has been coveted by state and local environmental agencies for years. In February 2007, Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet upgraded the Atlantic Ridge Ecosystem to the A List for Florida Forever’s conservation land-buying program. It is one of only three projects on the list in Martin County which also includes the Indian River Lagoon Blueway (A-list) and Pal-Mar (B-list).

From Halpatiokee Regional Park in the north spanning the center of Martin County through the Atlantic Ridge State Park and south to Jonathan Dickinson State Park, the area is also on the County’s list for lands to be acquired through the voter approved sales tax for purchase of conservation lands and parks. The Atlantic Ridge ecosystem encompasses 16,000 acres of which 5,800 have already been acquired.

In exchange for these donated 2,300 acres of conservation lands, 650 homes would be allowed to cluster on approximately 400 acres of former grazing land. The County’s Urban Services Boundary would be extended to encompass the new community and water and sewer would be provided to the residents.

Multiple wins

• The 2,300 acres of donated lands to be protected in perpetuity will:
  
  
  • Serve as the missing link that will connect the Atlantic Ridge State Park ecosystem.
    
    
  • Create a wildlife, greenway and recreational corridor starting at Halpatiokee Regional Park off of Cove Rd in Stuart through the Atlantic Ridge State Park and south to Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound.
    
    
  • Provide residents and visitors with improved public access to enjoy hiking, bicycling and equestrian activities in the Atlantic Ridge State Park. Access points will include Halpatiokee Regional Park, Cove Road and a new Bridge Road entrance.
    
    
  • Improve historic water flowways from the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and the Loxahatchee River including Kitching Creek.
    
    
• The county may be able to leverage the donated lands – worth an estimated $70 million -- and partner with state agencies to acquire additional lands elsewhere in martin county.
  
  
• The landowner can create a compact and more efficient residential community where urban services and infrastructure already exist.
  
  
• By allowing water and sewer the need for well and septic systems is eliminated.

For a pdf version of this information click here.

To show your support for the project, please contact Martin County Commissioners at 288-5420 or commissioners@martin.fl.us.