The City has received application to annex a parcel on the northwest corner of SR 76 (also known as Kanner Highway) and SW Martin Highway, which is the continuation of Indian Street. The 15.88-acre parcel is undeveloped and under contract for purchase by Atlantic Realty. The property is considered contiguous to the City, is compact in form and will not create a municipal enclave if annexed.

The property is zoned COR-1 (Commercial/Office/Residential) and is designated by Martin County to the Commercial/Office/Residential Future Land Use designation. If the annexation is approved, it is Atlantic Realty's intention to pursue a PUD authorizing residential development  and will be served by the City of Stuart's utilities. At the current time, the applicant is not proposing a development plan or seeking PUD approval. The applicant understands that a City Comprehensive Plan land use category and a PUD zoning designations will be necessary to pursue modification of the Commercial Office approval previously granted by Martin County.  As a result, Martin County’s land use and zoning regulations remain in effect.  The Martin County Board of County Commissioners was notified of the proposed annexation by certified mail on September 9, 2019. A complete copy of tonight’s agenda item was also provided to the County’s Growth Management Department on September 9, 2019. At the time of this agenda item, the County has not provided comments.

On September 9, 2019, the Local Planning Agency recommended approval of the item and moved the Ordinance forward to the City Commission. The draft minutes have been attached to this agenda. Staff has discussed, with the applicant, the option of incorporating additional property, in the same ownership and to the south of the Veterans Bridge, into this annexation request. At this time the property to the south of the bridge is not included within this request, staff are informed by the applicant that the owner of the property intends to donate it to Martin County .