Q. What is the current land use and zoning for the property?
A. More than half of the property is designated for 1 unit per 2 acres; the majority of the rest of the property is designated 1 unit per 5 acres except for a small sliver of land adjacent to Hobe Sound Golf Club that is designated for 5 units per acre.
Q. Is the landowner asking for more density?
A. No. The change being requested reduces the maximum density allowed on the property from 993 to 802 units. The landowner is requesting to build a maximum of 650 homes.
Q. How many homes can currently be built?
A. The current land use allows for 993 units on 2,760 acres but that does not take into consideration wetlands and other regulatory constraints. The reality is that under the current rules, if all of the usable land on the entire property were developed into 2 and 5 acre lots on well and septic tanks, then approximately 500 homes could be built. Clustering the homes allows the landowner to design the community on pasture land that has already been impacted by cattle grazing, is of no significant environmental value, and minimizes the footprint of the development.
Q. Why is it better for the County to allow 650 homes when the landowner can only build 500 homes under the existing zoning?
A. Allowing the entire 2,760 acres to be developed into 2 and 5-acre ranches would split the property into several owners, allow clearing of all usable uplands and fragment the property with roads, fences and other structures. The opportunity to acquire the land in its currently pristine state would then be in jeopardy. Clustering allows the landowner to efficiently develop only 15% of the property and donate about 85% of the property to the county -- all at no cost to taxpayers. Because the property is targeted for public acquisition, the project saves taxpayers more than $70,000,000. Additionally, the land to be developed remains on the tax roll and increases the taxable value of the property.
Q. Is the land proposed for development environmentally sensitive?
A. No. Over the last 50 years, the 400 acres of land proposed for development has been used for agricultural purposes and cattle grazing.
Q. Who supports the project?
A. The list is very long (Click here to view our letters of support). We have strong support from many environmental agencies and organizations including:
[We can insert a click here to go to their letter of support or their speech during the public comment at the BCC meeting]
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Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
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Florida Trails Association, local chapter |
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Loxahatchee River Coalition |
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South Florida Water Management District |
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Martin County Parks & Recreation |
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Martin County Conservation Alliance |
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Martin County Audubon Society |
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The Nature Conservancy |
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Economic Council of Martin County |
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Martin County Taxpayers Association |
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Hobe Sound Golf Club |
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Hobe Sound Neighborhood Advisory Committee |
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Town of Jupiter Island |
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and many others |
Q. Will the project create traffic problems on Bridge Rd?
A. Bridge Road has enough capacity to handle additional traffic; however, intersection improvements to US 1 and Bridge Road as well as a signalized intersection at the project’s entrance on Flora Avenue and Bridge Road would be required. The project would not create the need for Bridge Road to be widened to four lanes.
Q. Will water and sewer be available in the community?
A. Yes, South Martin Regional Utility has the capacity to provide water and sewer. Well and septic tanks will not be necessary.
Q. What is the timeline for the application and review process?
A. See full timeline.
Q. When would construction begin and end?
A. If approved, construction could begin in 2009 and the community is expected to be finished by 2015. Dates are subject to change depending on market conditions.
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