The vacant subject property is approximately 13.59 acres and consists of three parcels, located west of SE Federal Highway in an urban area on the south eastern edge of jurisdictional limits of the City of Stuart. The City Commission unanimously approved the annexing of the three parcels into the City of Stuart on May 8, 2017. The applicant is proposing to construct 280 multi-family garden-style residential units consisting of seven 4 story garden-style apartment buildings all with elevators. For additional details and code reviews see attached staff report.
On January 30, 2020, the Local Planning Agency unanimously approved the project with the following conditions:
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Address bus stops to make them safer
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Extend ornamental fence on the west side of the road
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Increase parking calculation to 484, but garages can be included in the calculation
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Include exterior trash cans, grills, signage, exterior lighting in site plan
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Implement a car wash station
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Solution to mail delivery and mailboxes
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Work to get permission to add sidewalk connection through “preserve” area
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Indicate the correct unit count and submit the floor plans
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Address charging stations
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Include rules or deed restrictions regarding dogs
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Submit a detailed construction activity plan
Since then, the applicant has responded to each of the eleven conditions including the addition of improved lighting, signage, landscape, a 6 foot wide sidewalk along Springtree Place and enhanced entry and has had conversations with the Department of Transportation agreeing to a temporary access off U.S.1 thus avoiding using Springtree Place during the construction phase.
Additionally, a revised Traffic Study has been forwarded to the City's traffic consultant for review along with Parking statement. Floor plans depicting studio, one, two, and three bedroom layouts are now attached as exhibits to the Ordinance.
The intent of this application is to assign a Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD) zoning designation and a multifamily land use to property recently annexed into the city in order to construct 280 multifamily units on 13.59 acres owned by Stuart 13 Acres, LLC, Tierra Del Lago and Stuart Harbor Marina and Yacht Club.
The proposed project consist of seven (7) four-story apartment buildings. In addition to the apartment buildings, there will be amenities such as a clubhouse, pool, dog park and car wash. The apartment access will be privately gated with two access points, one of from S.E. Springtree an existing open private road and from S.E. Harrison Street a Martin County maintained road to the north. The residents will also have opportunity to rent a garage for an automobile if desired.
The property is bounded to the south by the Natilie Mobile Home Park which is in unincorporated Martin County. To the north is Coral Gardens single family and an Exon gas station with convenience store, also in Martin County. To the east is vacant land with a CPUD zoning and is within the City of Stuart. The main access to the property will be from Springtree, which has capacity for the additional trips related to the proposed development.
The property is comprised of both uplands and wetlands. The wetland has been qualified as a very low quality system which the South Florida Water Management Department requires no mitigation. The northern portion of the property contains pine flatwood forest which will be mostly retained as preserve. A lake at the development's center will have littoral planting at it's perimeter then transitioning onto it's bank with native trees.
The Springtree Home Owner's Association has applied as Intervenor for tonight's meeting. See Intervener application attached