Board of County Commissioners on 2025-06-17 9:00 AM - Jun 17, 2025

Board of County Commission meeting, I'm calling this meeting to order. Please join us for the invocation by Pastor Stan Allen from Redeemer Lutheran Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be led by Colin Rydell. And Colin is then going to tell us about his military service. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning. Please pray with me. Merciful Father, we are so thankful for this day, another day which you have given to each and every one of us to serve. Thank you for this great joy and this great blessing. Lord, I ask that you would keep Martin County under your care. We also thank you for the various individual gifts which you have given to each of us. And today we are especially thankful for the gifts given to each of our county commissioners, that they would continue to serve the people of Martin County with wisdom, compassion, and joy. Lord, I pray for your guidance and strength be upon our commissioners as they discuss the issues brought before them, that they would carry out their work this morning and every morning, work which is done for the welfare of the citizens of Martin County, and that their decisions, all their decisions, would be made with a spirit of enthusiasm, grace, and humility. And Lord, we're also thankful for all, all who work in and for the county of Martin. May their service to the people of this county be joyful and rewarding. And I ask that you would bless each and every one of them and their families as well. Lord, all these prayers we lift up to you in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Colin Rytle. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Good morning, everybody. Good morning. My name is Colin Rytle, and I served in the Marine Corps as a 7051 aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist from 2015 to 2019. My mission as a firefighting specialist is the same as Martin County Fire Rescue, save lives and protect property. But our focus was to make sure pilots and their crews made it home safely. Being a firefighter and a Marine is unique because whether you're at home or forward deployed, you're executing your mission 24-7, 365. I responded to a variety of calls ranging from aircraft crashes to medevacs to responding to a volcanic eruption in 2018. Did you put that fire out? You know, I tried my best, but fighting Mother Nature doesn't work all the time. The Marines taught me mental toughness, leadership and followership, accountability, time management, and service above self, all things that apply to my current role as an emergency manager. There came a time in my career as a Marine where I could choose to stay and continue defending our freedom or get out and follow my passion to protect the community. I left the Marines in 2019 to pursue a degree in homeland security so that I could accomplish my new mission. The Marines have a lot to offer, but above all else, they give members a sense of purpose and belonging that we hold near and dear. But what happens when you leave all that behind and return to civilian life? I think this is an issue that many veterans struggle with, whether they admit this or not. For me, my purpose was clear. I want to protect my community. But that sense of belonging is difficult to find and something that not every organization has to offer. I feel extremely lucky to have found my belonging here with Martin County Emergency Management. My sense of belonging comes from my emergency management team sitting behind me and from being a part of the Martin County Fire Rescue family. I can look to them, I can look to my team for someone to talk to about my own personal life or mentorship in my professional development. We are there for each other through good times and bad and make each other better every single day. I'm very thankful for this community and getting the opportunity to be part of such a great team. Thank you. Thank you. There are no additional items. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? I'll move approval of the agenda with no additional items. Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. There's a proclamation recognizing the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County Youth of the Year. Good morning, Commissioners. I'm just going to introduce this item. We have Megan Shirey here with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County, and she's going to talk a little bit about the program. And introduce their Youth of the Year winner. Good morning. Oh, and they would like a photo with the chair afterwards, please. Okay. Thank you. Good morning. As mentioned, I'm Megan Shirey. I'm the Director of Marketing and External Affairs for your Boys and Girls Club here in Martin County. And I'd like to tell you today about the Youth of the Year program. The Youth of the Year event recognizes the incredible achievements of some of its most distinct and inspiring members. Youth of the Year candidates are celebrated for their academic discipline, spirit of good citizenship, community, and record of volunteerism. Commitment to healthy choices, avoiding vaping, drugs, and other dangerous patterns, exhibiting leadership and support to their peers, and pursuing education, training, and career paths to contribute to a better world. BGC MC is thankful for the nearly 1,000 children in our five clubs daily and more of the 7,000 children impacted through our annual programs. This nonprofit that I'm so proud to be a part of is proud of our efforts and celebrates these members' achievements. It should be noted that to earn the mere consideration of Youth of the Year, the candidates must take extraordinary efforts, consistency, comprehensively, and with an unquestionable, clear commitment to excellence. Local winners will advance. They advance to regional and state and national competitions. And I am honored to say that our Youth of the Year placed in the top four in the entire state of Florida. So it is my honor to introduce to you Mildred Castillo. Thank you, Ms. Megan. Good morning, everyone. I'm here to share a little bit of my story. Throughout my time on this earth, I learned, the further you travel down the road of life, the richer your journey becomes, with wisdom, strength, and growth. One of the biggest challenges I encountered in my life was when my dad tragically passed away after getting deported. It was a very hard time for my family. My mom had to support my two brothers and I playing both parental roles. Despite the hardships, she always stayed strong for us, pushing forward with that bright smile on her face. Although, when she made the big decision to move from Jupiter to Hope Sound, I was devastated. It felt as if we were finally figuring things out, and now we're leaving our home. But this is where the Boys and Girls Club became my second home. I've been going to my club since fifth grade, and let me tell you, it changed before the better. My club environment changes lives, gives people a new beginning, and a helping hand when needed. Hi, my name is Mildred Castillo, and this is the story of how my club inspired me to be great. As I mentioned previously, my club really is a special place. They always choose the right people to work there. They're all so kind, and people you can always go to. I remember not long ago, I was a shy person. I'd never talk. I'd just go to the club, sit on my phone, and that's it. I was always afraid of what people may think of me, whether it was how I looked or how I dressed. So I found it easier to stay in my own bubble. However, the staff would motivate me to participate in fun, engaging activities, to find myself, make new friends. Even though I didn't make it easy for them, they never gave up on me. Some say that the Boys and Girls Club is just a place where kids go while their parents work. But it's much more than that. My club provides opportunities to go beyond a simple daycare. For instance, my mom is a single mother raising three kids, so money was tight. I fear not going to college, and they don't want to put that burden on my mother. However, in sixth grade, I earned my very first scholarship through my club, covering four years of college. This meant the world to me and my family. I thank this program for making me realize my true potential. Great futures start here is a phrase I've often heard throughout my club. I am living proof that the Boys and Girls Club wants to ensure this happens. At 14, my club provided me with my very first work experience at the Boys and Girls Club culinary team. I joined over a year ago, and let me tell you, it has been the greatest experience yet. I met new people, gained new skills, all while earning a paycheck, which means I could go on more shopping days. But it also means I can help my mom financially in ways I couldn't have before. There are so many different paths I could have taken. Some may be better than others, but some could have been a real catastrophe for me. But the path I chose, the path that led me to the Boys and Girls Club, has placed me down a brighter path, towards my dreams and aspirations. I know if I ever get knocked down, I can count on my club to pick me right back up. It's a place that saved me. My second home. My Boys and Girls Club. Thank you. Mildred will go far, won't she? Yes, she will. Now it's time for public comment. The first request to speak form I have is from Noel Del Valle, followed by Maxie Del Valle. We don't have. Morning. Good morning. Morning. Is this working? I can't hear. Good morning, County Commissioners. My name is Noel Del Valle, and I am the Executive Director of the Martin County Police Athletic League, also known as Martin County Powell. Martin County Powell was founded in 2017 with a dream and 12 kids. I am proud to share with you today that this fiscal year, we had the opportunity to mentor over 600 kids in Martin County. Yes, we do offer athletic programs. We have boxing fitness, golf, drumline, and soccer. And these are led by people we're often called coaches, but at Martin County Powell, they are more than coaches. Coaches prepare kids for the game. Mentors prepare kids for the game of life. Each one of our coaches is a mentor, someone who helps guide kids through challenges, encourages them, and shows them what it means to make smart choices and live with purpose. Beyond our sports program, we also run three important mentorship and diversion programs. A tobacco and e-cigarette prevention program, where kids are educated on the dangers and long-term damage of caused by nicotine and vaping. A drug and opioid awareness program, which will help youth understand the dangers of opioids and drugs. And our leadership program, designed to provide guidance, support, and positive role models to youth who need it most. These programs are not just about education. They are programs designed to help youth find their way, their purpose, and stay out of trouble. This year alone, these programs have served over 225 kids. Many referred through the schools and through diversion court. And we are seeing real results. These programs are picking kids back on the path, they are staying out of trouble, and they are finding their purpose. They see a future for themselves. This doesn't change lives. It saves lives. And it also saves taxpayer dollars by keeping these kids out of juvenile detention systems. Today, I know you are considering a decision involving a valuable asset, but I ask you to see it not as a transaction of property, but as a life-changing investment. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your support. Thank you. Maxie Delvall is next, followed by Jake Delvall. Imagine being a 12-year-old kid and hearing again, When are you going to change? You're not worth anything. When are you going to be better in school, after school? When am I going to be able to make a difference? Over and over and over. Being put in a box by your parents, by the school, by your friends. Making choices that aren't necessarily the best for you right now or for your future. And then, after endless midnight prayers, maybe seeing Mobile Pal at your middle school, maybe a referral from juvenile court, you come across Martin County Pal, and you realize, because of the mentors and the people involved, that you have value, that you are worthy, that you have a future. My name is Macy Delvall, and I am the wife and mother of, well, the wife of Noelle Delvall, Executive Director. The mother of two kids that have literally founded this program. And I am here to tell you that the decision that you have in front of you is a responsibility that you hold to make a difference, not just in the lives of these children that could potentially attend because of building being placed in their community, but in the community as a whole. The community needs a place for these children where they can feel safe, but that they are known, that they are seen, that they are valued, and that they understand that they are worth the chance. Martin County Pal's mission is to develop healthy, productive children of the future. Leaders. We need leaders, and leadership starts today. It's our responsibility as leaders in this community to break generational curses. Oftentimes these kids come to Pal because they don't know any better. They land there because of decisions that their parents have made, ultimately. And unless they are guided and supported by people who could help them, they will end up in jail or on the streets or potentially even worse. I ask you, really, I implore you, to think about the fiscal responsibility of Pal. If you don't know, you can pull the records. They are one of the leanest nonprofits in this community. I've seen it. I've seen the numbers. I know what kids pay to go through their programs. Right now they have a camp four days a week, all day, so their parents can go to work and do what they need to do for $45. And Kyle G's pays lunch. Well, I thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope that you make the decision to support the future of our community by supporting the building in Golden Gate. Thank you. Jake DelVal is next, followed by Lillian Melton. Good morning, Commissioners, and thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Jake, and I'm proud to say I've grown up at Martin County Pal. Pal has been more than just a program for me. It's been a home away from home. It's where I found my voice, my purpose, and the people who believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. Through Pal, I've gained communication skills that have changed my life. When I first came here, I was a kid who didn't say much. Now I coach, I mentor, and I lead confidently. That's because of Pal. Pal gave me the space to grow, the tools to succeed, and the mentors, both male and female, who pushed me to become more than I ever thought I would be. Over the last three years, I've worked every summer camp here, mentoring younger kids who remind me a lot, like myself. I've also been helping lead boxing classes every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, both here and at our new Indiantown facility. It's become one of the most important parts of my week, showing up for these kids, helping them build confidence, and being the kind of role model I once looked up to. Last year, I was honored to be named Pal's Coach of the Year. But honestly, the biggest honor is just being part of the family, because that's what Pal is to me, a family. One who builds leaders, not just athletes. One that teaches responsibility, respect, and resilience. One that kids see a future they might not have imagined for themselves. Next year, I'll be stepping into a new chapter, as I begin my journey to become a firefighter. The lessons I've learned at Pal about leadership and hard work and service are lessons I'll carry without me through life. Pal helped me shape the man I am today, and I know I will continue shaping the next generation of leaders coming up behind me. Thank you for supporting Pal, and thank you for your time. Lillian Melton is next, followed by Evie Klaassen. Good morning. Good morning, Commissioners, and thank you so much for allowing me to speak today. My name is Lillian, and I've been a part of Martin County Pal for several years now. Starting out as a Camp Spark youth and eventually volunteering as a counselor, I've grown through Pal's programs, from golf, media class, and fundraising efforts at the Stewart Air Show. Every experience has left a lasting mark on me. Pal has an impact on me in many ways, just as it has on many other kids. What makes Pal special is that it's more than just a place to hang out. It's a safe place where you always feel welcome. People here are kind, supportive, and generally care. You're never judged, only encouraged to grow, to lead, and to be yourself. Over the past few years, I've been proud to step into a more leadership role. I've had the chance to volunteer at summer camp and help younger kids the same way others once helped me. Whether it's been in the gym, out on the field, or behind the scenes during our media class, I've learned so much, not just about communication and responsibility, but also about who I am and who I want to become. Pal has taught me the importance of showing up, of giving back, and of lifting others up along the way. It's shaped how I see myself and the kind of leaders I want to be. I'm deeply grateful for the staff and mentors who believed in me and to the opportunities that Pal has provided for me to grow and give back. Thank you again for supporting Pal. It is a place where lives change, and I'm a living proof of that. Thank you. Evie Klaassen is next, followed by Steve Klaassen. Good morning. Oh, stop it. Okay. You can pull the mic down. I have a broken toe, okay? First off, I want to say ditto to whatever my husband says, because I thought I was going after him, because he's got a really good thing. I'm here on behalf of not only myself, but also our grandson that lives in Miami that has attended the Pal program through the summers when he comes up to visit us. He sent a little text for me to read to you of what Pal meant to him. He said, Pal teaches good leadership skills, it teaches self-dignity, and it's very inspiring, and it's a good environment. It teaches you a lot of needed skills in this world that not many teens have. I have to say that Jake has made an incredible impact on our son through the Pal program. You know, Jake coached him, he mentored him, and he is a true leader. And Austin said that if he lived here and if he was here now, he would love to go through the leadership course so that he could give to others what has been given to him. Noel and his family are not just a program of Martin County Pal. They are family to us, and we will support them no matter what they do and how far we can go to help them, because we believe in the program and what it does. Thank you. Thank you. Steve Klaassen is next, followed by William Reppy. Good morning. You have to pull the mic up now. I don't. Oh, yeah. Okay. You live that every day, don't you? Yeah, I do. But I hate talking in front of people. But when something's worthwhile, I like to stand up. So good morning. My name is Steve Klaassen, and me and my wife have owned a local business for 14 years here in Martin County. And we've always looked for good organizations that are run by upstanding leaders to invest in and help. We both have a big heart for our youth and special needs children, as we have one of our own. Since Pal started and was conceived by Noel and his family, it started over at West of Old England in a little hole in the wall there. I can still remember that. And we've supported them ever since then and seen the growth that they have developed. Because we have seen and felt what his care is and the partnerships that he has built to help our young kids, he has provided boxing, camps, leadership classes, and then just adult leaders that in after school programs have been able to help kids and keep kids out of trouble. Most importantly, he has given the kids purpose and leadership skills and confidence to deal with life, not just situations. He's taught them to say no to bad things and to feel cared about and with purpose. In fact, with retirement, we retired now in January, I have joined the leadership class and become a coach. And now I serve on their Wednesday night leadership classes. And it's really cool. They have 30 to 35 kids in there that are special, you know, that are in trouble. And we try to help them and guide them. It's a well run organization. And it makes a big difference. So I would appreciate your support. Thank you. William Reppy is next, followed by Terry Kogel. Good morning. Good morning. My name is Bill Reppy. And I live in Hobes Sound. I've ended up speaking to you this morning because of a progression of disappointments that I have experienced with the Martin County Sheriff and the Commissioner Capp. My experience with them has led me to conclude there is no enthusiasm for helping Martin County residents if the issue doesn't make the evening news. Let me repeat. There's no enthusiasm for helping Martin County residents like me unless we make the evening news. My experience started when a large dog attacked and bit my 10-pound puppy on a public sidewalk, causing $1,300 worth of medical bills to me. An agent arrived. I called. An agent arrived. And, yeah, she asked me to do photos and medical bills, narratives. I provided all that. I thought a police report was forthcoming, something that would assist me in small claims court to get my $1,300 back and to put this dog away. The report was unprofessional. It was incomplete, and it was absolutely useless as a litigating device. I asked the agent to improve the report in very specific and brief ways. She declined. I came here to the Martin County Sheriff's Office, and I talked to her lieutenant. We spoke for 10 minutes. He agreed with everything I said. And he said, I'm sorry, but I don't think I can help you, but I'll try. Nothing happened. I said, okay, so I wrote this letter to the sheriff's department, and I included a template for a better capability of the agents to know what's important in a litigating experience. Excuse me. I got a call from his lieutenant. His lieutenant and I spoke for 15 minutes. I don't know if he was humoring me or what, but he agreed with everything I said. He said, yeah, you're right. This is not going to work. I spoke to a lawyer, too. He said, no, this is not going to work. Guess what? Nothing happened. So I wrote a letter to Commissioner Kapp, and I said, here, here's a copy of the letter, and here's a template that I wrote to the sheriff's office. And I said, Commissioner Kapp, can you help me? Nothing happened. I did say that if you couldn't help me. Sure, your time is up. You have three minutes to address us, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Can you send us your information to each of us, please? Thank you. We don't have jurisdiction over animal control. Terry Kogel is next, followed by Bob Thornton. Good morning. The complete street design concept for Southeast Dixie Highway from Cove Road to Jefferson is not in the best interest of the residents and businesses. It was voted down in 2005. Business Flair did a report for Martin County pertaining to Innovation Hub for Port Salerno, Golden Gate, and residents of YCC back in 2023. For the last two months, they've been doing a survey for the same thing. I'd like to know where is all this money going to? We do have some concerns. I've been speaking to quite a few residents in that. Okay, property will have to be purchased, not leased, from Treasure Coast Railroad Commission. Some businesses on the railroad side of Dixie Highway will have to be purchased or eminent domain. All upgrades, tree irrigation will be removed from Dixie Highway Center medium. Remove and relocate electrical telephone poles and lampposts. Roundabouts will have to be removed, Cove Road and St. Lucie Boulevard, making it more difficult for Mariner Cay, Yacht and Country Club, Hidden Harbor, and Cove Road residents to enter their communities. Kensington Street entrance is used for all work trucks entering YCC. Elimination of congestion on Dixie Highway will lose all parking spots for businesses. This is a flood zone, an area specially designed to remove flood water to flow into the manatee pocket. Where are the environmental and financial impact studies showing this is beneficial for the health, safety, and welfare of residents? Furthermore, this board lectured the community to stop following misinformation we bring to the BLCC meetings. When we are provided incomplete and vague information regarding proposed projects, the largest amount of misinformation to the public comes from the BLCC. The incomplete and vague information provided by the BLCC is no different from misinformation found elsewhere. Thank you very much. Bob Thornton is next, followed by Jay Nuffer. Oh, we will. Good morning, Commissioners. I'm Bob Thornton, and I am going to cry. I've been sitting back there crying. What does it do for the community? Let's check the police records. I helped start a program up in Massachusetts. We went into the prisons. We did kind of a similar program. The rate of recidivism in that prison was 83%. 83% of the guys that got out were back in prison in the first year. 28% of our guys were back in prison. There's men now from 30 years ago still up there teaching in the seats that they sat. So it makes me think of Frederick Douglass had a quote, and he said, it is better to build strong children than it is to repair broken men. And that's what we're doing. We're mentors. I'm not a pro. I'm a business guy. All our mentors, they're not getting paid. We're in there because we've all had, we all have a highlight reel in life. We also have a low light reel. And some of our low light reels are a little bit bigger than other people's. So we're taking that experience, and we're sharing it with these kids, that somebody sucked the kind out of mankind, and we handed them a phone and told them to raise themselves. And they're not learning the lessons that we learned. We're teaching that at PAL. Leadership is teaching that at PAL. We are waking kids up, shake and wake, I call it. They come in for a 16-week program, and they are tough, and they know everything, and they're closed off. And all of a sudden, about week 8, week 10, something like that, they start to wake up. And by week 16, they're different people, and they're thinking different. And a lot of them come back as mentors. And I've watched them grow up. And it's the coolest thing in the world. There's nothing better. You can build business. You can make money. You can do all these things. But when you reach out and help another kid catch fire, get their torch of faith, and walk out and light other people up, there's nothing better than that. So we're not trying to build more auto places. We're not trying to build anything else. We're trying to cobble together some land to build a place where we can go from helping 600 kids to 1,800 kids to 2,500 kids because they are our future. They're the ones that are going to be taking care of us. So please use this and this. Thank you. Jay Nuffer is next, followed by Eric Escalante. Thank you. It's pronounced Newfer. I had no idea PAL was going to be on the agenda, but I volunteer with Project Lift, and I definitely support Martin County PAL and encourage you to do the same. I recently saw a development sign go up in the property adjacent to me. It's item agenda 25, 1023, Canter and Salerno Road. And I understand that, you know, when I bought the property 11 years ago that it would be developed. The only thing that I want to really speak to the board about is that you have in place a six-foot fence that gets installed on property lines. And I really think you should reconsider that if you have any influence on it whatsoever because a six-foot fence really isn't much when you're going from a commercial line to a residential line. And just think about that if you were living on the other side of it. The other thing I think about is my neighbor across the street adjacent to the Publix property recently was fined for Publix's fence that he complained about that's fallen in disarray after the 13 years that Publix has been there. He complains about it. Code enforcement comes out, and they actually issue him a warning. It's not even his fence. And he's seasonal and lives down here, and it's left on me to deal with, and that's a horrible experience all on its own. So something to think about. There's only four of us that live on that property line that you're looking at rezoning today. We're all in agreement with what we really want. Also, it would be really nice, Mrs. Hurd, if you would return phone calls once in a while. So thank you. Have a great day. Eric Escalante is next, followed by Randy Cleveland. Good morning, everyone. So my name is Eric Escalante. As one of the very first Publix kids, I would like to share my testimony on what Publix has done for me and my future. Just initially wanted to learn boxing. I stepped foot into what now I consider a group of individuals I can count on. From day one, all of Publix coaches who happened to be retired law enforcement became what every coach hopes to become in a kid's life, a mentor. Having the right mentors in, especially for young boys, like when I first started Publix, could really impact how their life would turn out, such as Noel Brooks, a retired deputy and Captain Prez. They all have instilled in me hard work, discipline, and having the confidence that I can accomplish anything I can set my mind to. The dedication and work they have poured into me is a living testimony on what a great organization can do for the community and for someone who wants to have a positive and impactful life. They taught me to stay resilient while accomplishing my dreams and always be a helping hand to others. They have supported me and guided me, which accelerated personal and professional growth. And now as a current employee for Martin County Fire Rescue, I'm able to carry those positive attributes. I can now attest that their guidance has shaped me into the person I am. The influence they had over me has made an immense difference in my life that now I can get to help the coaches and carry on those skills, principles, and values when I coach the young generation who now are a part of this great organization. Just as many other kids can benefit from a PAL facility, they're instilling a great foundation for many other kids to set up a better future and provide them with a better life. And I just want to thank all you guys for hearing my story, and PAL has done a lot for me in my life. And now having a facility in Indiantown, I wish I grew up in that facility. But, you know, for those kids that are coming up in the Indiantown Boxing Organization, it's a great opportunity for them. Just want to thank you guys. Thank you. Thank you. Randy, Cleveland is next, followed by, I think, Steven Iskowitz. Morning. I'd like to talk about rezoning with Driven Brands. I see they want to go from planned unit development to general commercial district. A layman like me is a little bit hard to understand. But what I do understand after living there for 20 years is the privacy and how much Stewart's changed in the 20 years I've been here. That property's been a buffer zone with all the hurricanes come through, and it saved my house and some of the neighbors' houses. When that's replaced with a six-foot fence, we lose the buffers on not only the animals and stuff that are there. I've seen the development of the gas station and the Taco Bell and everything, and I had to put shrubs up around my yard because I could hear the Taco Bell when they ordered their food and everything. And the thing I'm really concerned about is that's a tough Salerno Road going east from Live Oak Lane is tough to get in and out of. It's not so bad going east. Sometimes I have to wait for two lights to get through because the people coming out of Publix don't have enough respect for the neighborhood. They pull out and block traffic coming the other way. And especially when I come home in the evening at 4 or 5 o'clock, and a lot of times I ride motorcycles and I'm looking into the sun, and every time them people pull out and they start easing out. And I always, you know, slow it down to 10 miles an hour, but the amount of traffic that's coming, and I don't know what you guys are going to do with rezoning Canter Highway or what the improvements are. The only thing I know is the traffic coming in and out definitely can't come on to Salerno Road. And the other thing is if this exemption is to make a taller building or whatever, at least the neighbors would like to know what's going in there. So far we have no clue. So I am really for the 10-foot wall myself, for the safety and the protection from the wind and the storms. And we'd like to not hear the business that's there. We support business and business people, and we support the community. We'd just like something in return. Thank you for your time. Have a great week. Thank you, Mr. Cleveland. We are going to take up that agenda item shortly. That's public hearing quasi-judicial number one, which will be early this morning. Stephen Iskowitz? Yes, that's right. I'm Dr. Stephen Iskowitz, retired chiropractor from New York. A little over two years ago, my wife and myself opened up a local business here. We've been embedded in this community ever since, whatever we can do to help out. I'm here to speak about life experience. I'm 62 years of age. I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where it's a lot easier to go left than right. And the work that Noel and his team does for these youth, I personally do not believe that Martin County cannot afford not to give them what they're looking for. All they're doing is good for these kids, keeping them off the streets, keeping them away from drugs. And as long as I'm here, I don't have any kids or grandkids in this county. It's just something that I believe in. The youth is the future. Thank you. Tom Pine is next, followed by Jim Boyle. Good morning, Commissioners. My name's Tom Pine. I've been a resident of Martin County for over 50 years, presently living in the Jensen Beach area. Today in the consent agenda, this commission will approve $29,048,474.83, which was spent between May 5th and June 5th of 2025, without identifying the payees or the purpose of the payments. Democracy dies in darkness. Welcome to Martin County. It won't be much longer. This government is going to have to tell us their plans for three new fire rescue stations in western Martin County. The cost will be breathtaking, to say the least. It's been reported that it can take anywhere from three to five years to obtain new fire equipment. I attended a meeting with our Jensen Beach commissioner, the head of the parks department, with their appropriate staff. I asked for the meeting with the commissioner so I could discuss my objections to the county being in the restaurant business. She invited the head of the parks department. So I was overwhelmed, to say the least. The head's department gave quite a detailed beatdown of the prior operator of the restaurant at our county golf course. He quoted a sum I can't verify. I even checked with the commissioner and staff that attempted the meeting and took copious notes, but she didn't record the exact amount. I did a public records request. I don't remember the exact number of the head of the parks department gave at his presentation, but they were considerably different than the ones I got in my public records request. The management team that ran the restaurant at the county golf course was $250,900.84 behind past due rents as of May 14, 2023. The value of capital assets, the restaurant equipment, swallware, was valued at $256,831.51. Staff and the BOCC agreed that this was a fair exchange for the contractual rent due on June 6, 2023 and approved the mutual termination of the agreement. So if you hear anyone claiming that the management team at the county golf course walked out owing Martin County over $300,000, they're lying. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Jim Boyle is next, followed by Kenneth Russell. Thank you for listening to all of us today. I'll be pretty brief. I'm kind of new to the PAL system within the last year, and I echo what everybody else said. The biggest thing that I would emphasize is foundation. That's what PAL is doing for not only the community but all the kids, which you kind of know, right? We talk about infrastructure and sinking money into all sorts of infrastructure. I'd like you to think about how having a Martin County PAL building is infrastructure for the foundation of the children we're raising. And the last thing I just highlight was that I remember I'm a mentor in the leadership program, and I specifically remember a conversation that I had with a sheriff's officer when I was in the back of a police car telling me that I wasn't a bad kid. And I turned 16 in juvenile hall, and I never got in trouble again. And I went on to become a rescue battalion chief. I served at the World Trade Center during 9-11, and I didn't know how I would fit in with these kids. But when they hear that, wait, you turned 16 in juvenile hall? Yep. And you went on to, you know, be someone, do something that was impactful. And I can tell you, out of all the medals that I have on my chest, this is more rewarding. This is being able to interact with these kids and just knowing you're making an impact. So I honor your decision, and I have no doubt that I have no doubt that you're going to, you know, take us, be with us in the right direction. Thank you. Thank you. Kenneth Russell is next, followed by Jackson Henderson. Good morning, commissioners. My name is Kenneth Russell. I am a teacher at Murray Middle School here and off for the summer. So my comment card went in a little after most of the other PAL participants, but I dragged my littles here this morning. I wanted to speak like a community perspective. You've heard from the PAL mentors. You've heard from the coaches. And you've heard from a couple community members. Well, as a middle school teacher, I have done my share of mentoring. I started my own Murray to Men program years ago. And just anecdotally, just to share briefly, you know, having the kids come up years later and tell you what that little moment of mentorship meant, it just blows you away. And creating an opportunity like Boys and Girls Club or PAL or any of our support organizations that we have are all worthwhile. Well, my son started PAL because he was done with Taekwondo, what they call safe space karate, right? So he's like, I've been doing the same routine over and over. Can I do something different? I'm going to hear it because I don't think he likes me to talk about him. But he didn't know that this was the forum. So I'm up here nervously trying to tell his story a little bit. I speak better to kids than adults. So he wanted to sign up for something different. And he signed up for PAL and started boxing. And now we take the entire family there two days a week. And there has been a 180-degree turn in my son. He's not a bad kid. He's my kid. Of course, I'm going to tell you all the good stuff only. But he's also a teenager. And at times, you know, he's pretty resistant, obstinate. I don't want to say too many more of those words. He's here. But, man, has PAL brought a 180-degree change in my son's life. And then my youngers are wanting to go too. PAL is mostly for teenagers. And you've heard it mentioned that the PAL-Martin County is a family organization. And it is. They wanted my kids to be able to go too, even though they're a little younger than the kids who typically come to PAL. So that's me and my family's story. But also, like I said, I teach at Murray Middle School. And PAL comes to my middle school with the truck. And what an improvement it would be to have a freestanding building. When I ask my kids if they go, if they know my son, because we drive out to Palm City to go to the building they have now, they don't go. And they're like, I don't know what you're talking about, or, you know, but what an opportunity that would be. And, again, it's anecdotal one at a time, but I believe very strongly that we're planting seeds and growing community members. So PAL is not just something that's impactful for me and my family, but for us, for our community. Thank you. Jackson Henderson is next. And Mr. Henderson is the last request to speak for him. If you would like to address us, please fill out a request to speak for him and get it to the bailiff who will get it to me. Thank you. Good morning, everyone. My name is Jackson Henderson, you know, watching everybody up here. I'm getting more and more excited to go up here and talk to you guys. I'm here on behalf of PAL. And I just want to start by telling you a little bit about me. You know, I just graduated in Martin County High School. I'm going to attend the University of Florida in the fall. And I'm on the snare line, the drum line, which is what I do at PAL. I'm a coach for the drum line. And I just want to talk to you guys about how important I think PAL is, you know. I started PAL in, I want to say, the sixth grade to do boxing. And boxing wasn't my thing. But I just, I saw the community there and the opportunity it provided for all these kids. And I was like, wow, this is amazing. So I took a little bit of a hiatus, you know. And I came back my junior year of high school as a coach for the drum line because they started opening up all these new programs. But first, I just want to talk about the opportunities that PAL provides. So a lot of these activities that they know PAL has, you know, soccer, boxing, all these different sports, it's so hard for a lot of these kids in our community who don't have, you know, the money to be able to go and play these, you know, sports for like clubs and all these things. It's so expensive, which is something so great about PAL. It's so inexpensive and so affordable for the community. I have a friend who I went to high school with, which is so weird to say. His name is Jefferson. And he has a younger brother who loves soccer. And PAL gave him the opportunity to start playing soccer in the community, which is great. It's awesome stuff like that that I see every day, you know, with all these kids. And I think that's so important for our community and especially for a new building to provide. I mean, he does live in Golden Gate, which I am hearing is where the building is going to be. And, I mean, that would make it so much more accessible for him. It would be amazing. Another thing I want to talk about are the life skills that PAL provides through their leadership program. I mean, going to Martin County High School, you know, you meet all these kids, you know, and a lot of them, I mean, you can, there's a huge difference between kids who are in PAL and just everybody else because, I mean, the ones in PAL have these skills, these leadership skills that I think are taught in this leadership program that, you know, kindness, respect, intrapersonal skills. They're willing to help each other out, which I think is amazing, and I don't see that that often. And it's just so important that PAL provides this. And for them to be able to provide it even more to all these kids, it's just, that would be amazing. Okay, here's another thing. PAL provides something for these kids to look forward to. This is the last thing. I'll say this real fast. A lot of these kids, like my sister, if she didn't have PAL, she'd be playing Roblox all day in her room. These kids need to get out. They need to experience the real world, and that's what PAL allows for them to do what they want to do and have opportunities. Thank you so much today. Thank you. Thank you. Would anyone else like to address us? In that case, commissioners, let's jump around a little bit. First of all, can I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? So moved. And there's a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Aye. That motion passes unanimously. Now we're going to bypass, momentarily, commissioner comments and administrator comments and go on to public hearing number one, which is a public hearing for board direction on a county-owned vacant parcel located at 2769 Southeast Fairmont Street, Golden Gate. This is a public hearing to request board direction for a 0.27-acre vacant county-owned parcel currently located at 2769 Southeast Fairmont Street in Golden Gate. The parcel is currently under an option to lease agreement with the Martin County Police Athletic League, who is requesting the agreement to be terminated, the property surplused, and donated to PAL pursuant to Florida Statutes 274.05. Back in 2020, the board approved an option to lease with the Martin County Police Athletic League, a not-for-profit corporation, to lease the property and build a public facility. Pursuant to their option to lease, they are required to submit architectural plans along with some other steps. And in that process, it has been determined that the parcel is not large enough on its own, and they have then went ahead and acquired the neighboring parcel. And in order to unify those parcels, they need to be owned by the same owner, which is why we're here. Would you identify yourself for the record, please? Oh, Andy Johns, Real Property Public Works. Commissioner Campy. Is that the presentation? Yes. Do you want more? No, go ahead. This is a personal one for me because I happen to, in my regular job, work at a location in Palm City, and my next-door neighbor is PAL. So I have had the great benefit of not only knowing about PAL prior to them locating in that facility. I heard someone say when they were next to west of Old England, and I remember hearing about a boxing program, and my kids at the time were young. And my son, that boxing program sounded like a perfect opportunity for him. So I had heard about PAL. And look, a lot of us have heard about the Police Athletic League in our communities when we were growing up. And it was different. When I was a kid, we had a Police Athletic League. It was different. It was basically completely sports-driven. It was basically, you know, after-school sports and those kind of things, as far as I could tell. But now, having had a front-row seat to what Noel and his family, especially his sons, have been able to accomplish next-door to me, sometimes fantastic and sometimes to my detriment, when he first started the boxing, they put speed bags, a whole row of them, up on the opposite wall of my office. And from after-school until dark, one after the other, and some kids were really good at it. And then I went to my next-door neighbor and said, hey, listen, you're going to have to move these speed bags off the wall. And they did. And then you heard a couple of the kids talk about drumline, which I can tell you the kids have really improved. Because in the beginning, it was just kids beating on drums. And it was a lot. It was really a lot. But I would look out the window and watch these kids, and you can see the mentors. Even the mentors, they're young, training kids that are even younger. So, I mean, there's a hundred different ways. And I'm really known for my brevity. So, I don't want to beat the drum that hard. But I will tell you that PAL, and you heard the common theme from a lot of the younger people that said, I started at PAL, and now I train and mentor at PAL. That really speaks volumes to the program, that these kids got so much out of it that they came back to present it to the younger generation. Which is remarkable. In Martin County, we are so fortunate to have lots of different organizations that lift up our young people, all young people, but especially our young people that are struggling. Through many cases, no fault of their own. Parents have difficult sets of circumstances. Parents could be absent. One of the parent could be absent. Financial issues. Health issues. So, yes, we have organizations in our community that lift up our students and our young people. But thank God we do, because the pressure that society is putting on young people, if it wasn't for organizations like PAL, the Boys and Girls Club, and so many others. And you can't say, well, if you have the Boys and Girls Club, do you need PAL? Yes, one organization cannot do it. One organization doesn't speak to the desires and the needs of individual kids. If there was ever an agenda item that I could speak to with the most confidence, it would be what we need to do to support PAL. Now, some will say they have to do it on their own. It's not the government's responsibility to assist in any way. Now, in this particular case, this is surplus property that's been sitting vacant, and we have never done anything with it. I remember going to Indian Riverside Park many years ago when they had a fundraising and sort of a kickoff. Stacy, Commissioner Hetherington, was there. They showed a rendering of the building that they wanted to build. That got to have been eight, nine years ago, maybe longer. They had boxing greats that were there with their belts. And it's been almost a decade that they've kept this focus. They've done whatever they've needed to do to keep the program going and expanding. They've rented space. They've got mobile. They went into every school. I've had the pleasure of calling Noel my friend. So with all transparency, he's a friend of mine, and I didn't know him ahead of time. He's just so remarkable a man. And his wife and the boys, I've watched his son came up here. Jake came up here. I remember Jake was little. And to come up and so effortlessly speak to a group, adults will tell you it's difficult to get up in that podium and speak to us. And your group that spoke today, you could see the leadership. It's not just about athletics anymore. When they talk about diverting kids from vaping and doing drugs and when someone shows you a group of pills, pills, to have the emotional strength to say no, that's taught by the folks at PAL. Most of their mentors are friends of mine, I know. You know, it's harder. It's easy to mentor kids that are sharp and on the right track and come from great homes. It's much harder to take a kid who's working at a negative, bring him to neutral, and then elevate him above neutral. And that's what these guys are doing, all for free. They have tried and succeeded very well at getting additional money from other sources. Everyone will say, well, it's not the government's responsibility, as I mentioned. Go and get the money from not-for-profits, from donors. Done it all. Very successfully. They created this idea that we can't bring everyone to Palm City or to Indiantown. We've got to bring our program to them. And Noel says, I'm going to get a van, and I'm going to outfit it for boxing, and we're going to bring it around. And I don't know, a couple weeks later, there's this gigantic van as big as a UPS truck, completely wrapped with boxing and the thing inside the van, outside the van, and they go school to school. And then that expanded and that expanded. So this is the natural progression. And for us to play a very, very small role in our assistance, I was originally thinking, well, make it a lease. Not a lease. Make it a lease. And then when you hear the legal ramifications that that's not a possibility, that in order to bundle what they've accomplished on their own with their donors, I think it's easy, in my opinion, easy for us to assist in this way so that we will have another organization that can last for many, many years. Because the need won't go away. The need is, if anything, it's growing greater every day. So in my small way to be able to assist by making a motion to accept staff's recommendation, since they're going to be leaving Palm City and heading into Commissioner Hetherington's district, and I know she's a big supporter, I'm honored to do a small share of moving this movement forward. And I hope that we're going to be saying congratulations to you in a little bit. Thank you. Commissioner Vargas. Yes, I am familiar with PAL. I was a former high school teacher in another county, so I definitely had my share of students that came through my classroom who experienced PAL. Well, I know that your organization has been leasing the property. I know that it's about a quarter of an acre parcel, and I know that you'll gather the funds from donors to build and do what you feel you want to do for this. It's always nice to have something for the voters of Martin County, for the residents from this, and maybe to get something from this too. Commissioner Hetherington. So I believe Ed said so much of what I wanted to say. I'm surprised. So when I first came into office, I had met John and Noel, and they were telling me about Police Athletic League, which I was not familiar with. And they were in the west of Old England Plaza in a very small, and I remember Sheriff Snyder was boxing there almost nightly with the kids. So I had went to the facility, and they said, let me take you to St. Lucie and show you what kind of facility they have there for their leadership program and their kids. So we toured that. I'm like, wow, that would be amazing to have in Golden Gate. And Lamar Howard Park was a perfect location, and I will say that Noel and his team and his family and his volunteers have worked so incredibly hard to raise the funds, to get good people on the teams, to provide these programs. My older son, who's now 21, he was in probably middle school, and he attended both the boxing and the leadership program. So I got to see firsthand the impact that your programs make on the lives of others. Many of us have had an opportunity to see Sandra, who is one of your early students, that have come to this board and speak about how Powell completely, completely changed her life. Many of you know I'm a big advocate of keeping our kids away from tobacco, drugs. Vaping has become an absolutely epidemic. We've talked about it up here. We've tried to pass policies to encourage. And Noel and I have had a chance to sit down with schools and the judicial system. And they have a passion to make sure that our kids have a clean and clear path forward. And we, as a board, one of our biggest legislative priorities this year was our inmate medical bill. And when you are now taking, in society, those that have gone off track, it becomes very, very expensive for us as a society. So keeping our youth on track, building leadership, building those skills, absolutely shows me there's a life-changing return. And I wholeheartedly support it, absolutely. And I don't think that you kind of glazed over this part. There is a reverter clause. I am 1,000% confident that Powell will, and they have a track record of raising money and building this facility. There are protections in place for Martin County. I support you 1,000%. And I can't wait for you to build your facility in Golden Gate, and I will second the motion. Commissioner Capps. Well, my experience with Powell began several years ago when a friend of mine had asked me to come over and do a little boxing when they were over by west of Old England. And I thought I was in pretty decent shape at the time, and I found that to be one of the most exhausting things I have ever done. I did it for a little while. I had to sit down. It was tough work. I mean, to tell you, that is some real physical fitness activity there. And so I will always remember that. I know Noel Duvall, and he's a great guy, and I have great confidence in him. I really appreciated his comments about distinguishing the difference between mentorship and coaching. And I think that they are teaching life skills and leadership skills. I'm familiar with some of the things they teach them. And I think it's just great to see what they're building in the lives of young people and the difference they're making in our community. I also would like to mention that I really appreciate all the support that they get from this community, the people who have shown up here today, and all of the supporters that I know that Powell has in our community. I'm always amazed at how giving people are in our community. It's incredible. We have so many great charitable organizations that are supported at such high levels. I think I'll mention just a couple of things about anyone who might be concerned about how a donation like this could be given to a charitable organization. And Commissioner Hetherington mentioned that there are protections in place for Martin County, one of them being a reversion clause if the property ever ceased to be used for its intended purpose. It would automatically pervert to Martin County. I think that's important and good. And then there's another feature and limitation that is in the resolution. And it says, whereas, pursuant to Florida statutes, the Board of County Commissioners has discretion to classify as surplus any of its property that is obsolete or the continued use of which is uneconomical and which has a location of use only to the adjacent property owner. So that's another big limitation. It's not like any charitable organization can come in and just ask for a parcel of land. There are lots of limitations here, one of which is that it has to be the property adjacent to the organization asking for it. So I think that's worth mentioning as well. So with all of that, I fully support the work of Powell and the donation of this parcel to their efforts. I will simply add my enthusiastic support and thank you for the wonderful example that you're setting in our community. There is a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you very much. We will now return to Commissioner comments as soon as the enthusiastic crowd. Thanks for coming. Mr. Vargas. Well, this past week we had a number of our commissioners and our county administrator, our Florida legislative aide and our director of environmental go to Washington, D.C., trying to bring back tax dollars for the benefit of Martin County residents. So I think it was a fruitful trip. I think we all think it was a fruitful trip. And we're anxiously awaiting in the near future to receive the good report that, yes, we do have the money and we'll be able to continue with our projects. With that, I'm going to pass this on to Commissioner Capps, who will give a detailed report. Commissioner Capps? Yes, I would also like to focus my comments on our trip to Washington last week to advocate for Everglades restoration. And it was an enormous learning experience, a very valuable, great use of time. First, I want to thank our staff for their competence and hard work to make this trip a success. They were truly amazing. It was so obvious that they had been there many times before and that their influence was very well known in Washington, D.C. The world's largest ecosystem restoration is taking place right here in South Florida. The effort began in the year 2000 when the comprehensive Everglades restoration plan was passed by Congress. That's called SERP for short. The benefits of the project will be enormous, both environmentally and economically. It will greatly restore the river of grass in the 4,000 square foot or 4,000 square mile Everglades region, which is one half of Florida's landmass, while boosting the Florida economy. America's everglades have been valued at $1 trillion, spawning $31 billion of economic value each year. We have learned that, or we did learn, that Martin County has been at the forefront of this effort from the very beginning. When we visited government offices, it was obvious that our people were well known and that our requests had great weight. We made the case for completing SERP projects in Martin County, chiefly the one called Indian River Lagoon South Phase 2, which involves buying the lands in the IRL South area of Martin County and then removing 8 million cubic yards of muck from our rivers. We felt that we made real headway and that the federal government was poised to take bold action in the coming days. Lastly, I want to thank Commissioner Hurd for taking the lead in our encounters with federal government officials. It was very obvious that she had really mastered this subject matter over the years, and it was a great learning experience watching her in action in her communications with federal officials. It was great to deepen my understanding of the Everglades and of Martin County's role in the restoration effort, and I look forward to putting my shoulder to the wheel and helping get this work done. Thank you. Mr. Campy. Thank you. So, it's a downer. What I'm about to say is negative in a way, in every way, and I wasn't sure that we should be discussing it, but we have to. I think most of you read that in the last couple of days, two young people, younger than five years old, have drowned in pools in Martin County, a two-year-old and the next day a five-year-old. We've talked about swimming lessons here before. We've talked about the need for pool safety here before. Several years ago, I remember a young family in Palm City lost their son who had wandered into a neighbor's yard and drowned in their pool. Two in less than two days, or within two days. I was reading it on my phone on TC Palm and was absolutely shocked to hear that. So, I was thinking, I'm going to have to bring this up because it's awareness. I don't know the exact percentage, but I've heard it's as high as 75% of all child drownings drown in someone else's pool. Because when they're at your house, you're thinking about, I've got to protect my pool and my kids. But you don't know if your neighbor has the proper gate latch on their pool. So, I'm using this time to just sadly reiterate the fact that, and in one of the cases, and this is not secretive, I read it in TC Palm, the mom was attending to her younger child when the five-year-old was able to get out of the house and get into a neighbor's pool. So, I don't blame that, obviously, on the mother. Those of us that have raised two or three kids, when they're close in age, it's hard to keep an eye every minute of every day on all of your children. So, it requires everyone, then, if you have a pool, and you don't have any children. Your children are grown, but you still have a pool. Make sure that the, first off, that you have a child protective gate latch. I don't think you can put a fence in or have a pool without that. However, make sure it still works. You know, you could look over at your gate around your, the fence around your pool and see that gate and know that you have that special latch. But maybe it's not catching properly. Go over and push on that gate. Kids are very resourceful. But that's the first line of defense. So, and if you know, like, I know I have a pool, and my kids are well-grown out of college, but my next-door neighbor has three little kids. So, I'm thinking that they are as much of my concern, because I have a pool, as though they were my own. And so, I would beg people to, one, be aware, or especially sometimes when young children are visiting their grandparents, the grandparents are not as used to keeping a tab. And these happen to be very little kids, but six- and seven- and eight-year-olds also, you know, 10, 12 grown-ups drown. I would like to see, through our Parks and Rec program, I know that there are all sorts of programs available to help teach kids to swim. There's private programs that are remarkably successful, but even within hours. And so, just as a point for Mr. Donaldson to speak to our Parks and Rec, if we have the ability to offer free, and maybe we're already doing this. I'm not, I can't remember if we, if the program still exists or not. We, as a community, as a county, should offer free swimming lessons to anyone that wants them. And if it's a funding issue, I'm sure we could find private donors to sponsor that program. We can't just read what happened in our community, in the newspaper, and three days later, forget about it. So, my heart goes out to those families that will suffer for the rest of their lives, will question themselves for the rest of their lives. So, let's take this tragedy and hopefully turn it into some kind of a lesson and a movement going forward. Thank you. Commissioner Hetherington. And thank you to our colleagues for representing us in Washington. I had the opportunity to represent us at the Larry Pendleton Awards for the Treasure Coast Sports Commission. And I want to congratulate Rick Thatcher, ready of us know him, head of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission. He received the very coveted Larry Pendleton Award, which was a surprise to him. And Ryan Strickland, also, Treasure Coast Sports Commission, received quite great accolades and an award at the Treasure Coast Sports Commission Awards. So, I want to congratulate them both. And we talked all morning about leadership. So, we have a young lady in our audience. I just wanted her to stand and be recognized. Sydney Spears. She's a local Martin County High School student, and she has the privilege of going to Girls State this summer. So, she's here this morning just touring, meeting everybody. She's very interested in government, and she's a fabulous young leader in our community. And I just wanted to recognize her. Not many young residents of the county spend their mornings with us on Tuesday mornings, particularly in the summer. So, thank you, Sydney, for being here, and congratulations on being accepted into Girls State. Mr. Donaldson. Yes. I have two things. First, our water utility. One, the Florida section of American Water Works Association, a region for the best-tasting drinking water, and they will be going on to state. So, just another example of our utility, very recognized for their ability to make excellent water, potable water for all of us. Also, I wanted to let you know that next week at the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida Association of County and Human Service Administrators is going to give one of our own, Joanne Green, an award for her advocacy. Recognize an individual member in good standing who has worked to advance equity and advocacy contributions that affirm the purpose of human services. And Joanne, of course, works for Michelle Miller and our staff, and, of course, our group does really excellent work in that area. So, we want to thank and congratulate Joanne Green for her upcoming award. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Campy. I have an update. I received a text from Kevin Abate, the head of Parks and Rec, to say that there is a program in place. Free swimming lessons, there are qualifications. It's for anyone between the ages of six months and 17 years. Parent or guardians, there's some financial requirements that are necessary. But if you want to have your children swim and you are above the eligibility for free, look, we all know there's some people that qualify for things that are free and some people that don't qualify for things that are free but still struggle financially, let us know and we will assist. The parent or guardian must be present for each lesson and provide transportation. The parent or guardian must also attend a water safety class. And then to register, you can contact the Parks and Rec to confirm eligibility. And then the second step is to schedule swim lessons at Sailfish Splash Water Park, which is in Stewart. But like I said, if you feel like you are just out of the qualification zone but still would like to do this, I don't want anyone to be like, well, I wanted to do it, but I couldn't afford it and I didn't qualify. So contact any of us at Parks and Rec. There's no reason that if someone's interested in getting their kids swimming lessons that there'd be any kind of restriction. So thank you to our Parks and Rec. And that's also sponsored by the Children's Services Council. But tell your friends and neighbors, your coworkers, the people that you go to church with, this is a tragedy that we need to find some kind of a benefit from. Ms. Woods, in that case, Commissioners, let's take up B and C 1. Before we take our 10-minute break, have you all turned in your voting sheets for the Value Adjustment Board appointments? We just have his. We just select one person. Donna Gordon for administration. Value Adjustment Board, we need one person. And Mrs. Diane Castellucci received three votes. I make a motion to retain Ms. Diane Castellucci to the Value Adjustment Board. Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. We'll now take a 10-minute break. We are back, taking up agenda item number, public hearing number two, which is a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance amending the boundaries of the Waterside Community Development District. Good morning, Mr. Elam. Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners. For the record, Brian Elam, Principal Planner with the Growth Management Department. I'm turning in a copy of the agenda item, my work history, and the applicant's affidavit of publication for the record. This is a request by Kutok Rock LLP on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of the Waterside Community Development District to amend the boundaries of the Waterside Community Development District from the existing 179.9 acres to the proposed approximate 216.37 acres. The project is located on the west side of Southwest Canter Highway, approximately one mile south of the intersection of Southwest 96th Street and Southwest Canter Highway. For my own edification, for those who don't know, this is a description of what a community development district is. It's a special purpose unit of local government established under Florida law. It's a way for developers to finance infrastructure like roads, utilities, amenities, and new developments without overburdening traditional local governments. CDDs are typically found in your amenity-rich developments. I have the Florida statute, Chapter 190 definition, if anyone would like to hear it later. The Waterside CDD was established by the adoption of Ordinance 1175 by the Board of County Commissioners on February 1, 2022. The CDD was established pursuant to Chapter 190 Florida statutes. The original CDD encompassed 179.9 acres, which was the boundary of the South Florida Gateway PUD at the time. The South Florida Gateway PUD has been amended twice, resulting in an expansion of the boundary to 216.37 acres. The proposed petition to amend the CDD will bring the additional acreage into the boundary of the CDD, making it consistent with the PUD. And this just shows the original boundaries of the approved master site plan, PUD master site plan for South Florida Gateway, and also the sketch and legal for the boundary of the CDD, which was the same. Just going over some of the reasons why we have to amend it, or why it was petitioned to be amended. And the first amendment to the South Florida Gateway PUD added 7.97 acres. The second amendment added 32.26 acres to the PUD. So this petition will amend the CDD boundaries and make them consistent with the South Florida Gateway PUD boundaries that have changed due to that and due to the acceptance of a portion of the Southwest Waterside Way by the county as public right-of-way. This is an image from the petition showing the amended areas of the Waterside Community Development District. The original was in black. You can see the ones that are highlighted in red are the two additional from the First and Second Amendment. And then also highlighted in green is a contraction area, which was the area of a portion of the right-of-way, which was accepted by the county. This is the new proposed CDD boundary. So the CDD petition is consistent with Chapter 190.046 Florida Statutes for Amending an Existing CDD. This public hearing has been advertised consistent, and the matter is required to be heard at a public hearing. Staff recommends approval of the request by Kutok Rock LLP on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of the Waterside Community Development District to amend the boundaries of the Waterside Community Development District from the existing 179.9 acres to the proposed 216.37 acres. We move that the Board adopt an ordinance amending the Waterside Community Development District boundaries. That concludes the presentation. Questions for staff? Is there an applicant presentation? Commissioners. Morning. My name is Ryan Dugan with Kutok Rock. I'm here on behalf of the petitioner. Thank you, county staff, for the presentation. I don't have a separate presentation, but I just want to make myself available to answer any questions, if there were any. I have a couple. It says that the area to be served by the amended district is amenable to separate special district government. Where is that amenability provided? That's a general reference to the statutory requirements that are required to either establish or amend a special district. With the county's adoption and creation of the special district in 2022, I think that in itself shows that we've looked at the separate special district being created the service, only the public improvements that are located in that particular area. It's the process for setting up a special district requires that point to be made. So this amendment doesn't change anything. The general plan for the original district, simply just adding land a little bit to the north and south, consistent with what the original district plan was. I have reservations. I don't see – this looks like it has the possibility to be endless, and it also is incompatible with most of the adjacent land uses, which are almost exclusively agricultural. It looks like it just keeps gobbling up more agriculture and more agriculture, and I don't see the end. I don't see the benefit to Martin County. I don't see why this is preferable to a homeowner association. It's a unit of local government. I don't think that I am in favor of expanding local government, particularly your ability to tax, because you can impose and collect assessments along with other property taxes on your county's real estate bill. It just seems like overreach to me. If I may, Chair, regarding assessments or anything used to fund public improvements in the district, those assessments can only be levied by the individuals that own land or live within the CD's boundaries. So it would have no impact on anyone living outside of those boundaries. And for today's petition for expanding into those areas, the process requires that we obtain consent to inclusion into the district's boundaries for those areas. So all the landowners in the boundaries have agreed to this boundary expansion and have agreed to the possibility of being assessed for just public improvements in those areas. The land uses that for the areas, for at least a development plan that's going to occur, are consistent with the county's PUD for that area. And the district is limited to act only within those uses. So any development in the district boundaries is consistent with the PUD that the county approved. And the last point, I know I'm rambling a little bit, but the district's only going to fund public improvements. So we're talking about stormwater ponds, you know, any public roadways or utilities. So that's the only thing that the CDD would be financing or maintaining. So what this does is, for today's petition, you know, granted the district has already created, we're expanding to an area where there may be a stormwater pond put in there or stormwater, part of the stormwater system. And the district would be able to maintain that improvement to make sure that it's not causing any issues or it's not being properly maintained where it would impact areas outside of its boundaries or the property within it. So I think it's a benefit to the county and to the residents to create or to expand this boundary to cover that area where there could be a potential or there will be a need to have a responsible entity to manage just the public improvements. I can certainly understand that there's a benefit to the developer. I'm not understanding what the benefit to the county is. And I also, if you'll, Mr. Elam, if you'll look on page 357, I'm just concerned about limitless expansion of this because it's incompatible with every single land use surrounding it. I understand that there's a benefit to the county. I understand that there's a benefit to the county. I understand. And we would not be able to expand any further than the district's boundaries. So we would have to come back and get an amendment or approval. And today, what you're seeing is being consistent with the PUD and the plan for the development as it currently states for what the county already approved. So we're not asking to go beyond that or do anything different. You know, today's petition is not to go speak to any development approvals. We're limited and restricted to act within what is already approved. So that's a statutory requirement. We're not allowed to go beyond that at all. So it's a very limited analysis today for just looking at has this petition submitted the information that's required by the basically technical statutory process. Commissioner Vargas. Yes, I have a question. Is this a double taxation? Because I know about CDDs, and people are not happy about them. I know a lot of them. I saw all of this real estate broker. I get it. They're not happy about this. And I understand, to Chairwoman Hurd's point, agricultural around here, you said you would not be able to at this moment. But that opens the door for the future, then, to come back and ask again for something different. That's absolutely true. If there was any plans to expand the boundary, they would have to come back and ask permission. But that is kind of outside the scope of what we're looking at today. Today is just for these limited areas where all the landowners have provided consent. And to your point about double taxation, my response is no. Any services that the district is providing are services that the county is not providing. So if the district wasn't providing maintaining roads or stormwater improvements within this community, then the county would be providing them. So it's either one or the other. It's just for this growth and this development in this area, what it's doing is putting those services and those costs for the CDDs, and it's going to be funded by the landowners that live there, instead of spreading that cost out on all the residents throughout the county. Yeah, but this is no guarantee of success. The CDD is not a guarantee of success for this parcel. No, absolutely not. I definitely would not say it's a guarantee of success. Commissioner Campy. Thank you, Madam Chair. I think the conversation in terms of should we have a CDD, that was a couple of years ago. Correct. What I think, and I've heard you say, is we're just deciding if we're going to allow for the expansion that you've requested today. That's what's before us today. Correct, yes, sir. Now, the concept of a CDD, I have some friends that live within them, and they knew that it existed when they moved there. And here, I agree with you that when you say the two things that you mentioned that speak to me, one was whatever's being charged is to the benefit of the people that are being charged versus their neighbors or any of the rest of us that don't participate in this. And two, you said that the people that you're looking to expand into the CDD are willing participants. So that being said, the defined issue of the agenda item is adding in these additional, now to Commissioner Hurd's point, and she brought up a lot of very valid concerns, which I'm glad to hear, so that I have another perspective. But in this particular agenda item, I don't think that's the case. In my mind, it's not the case, because, yes, of course, it could continue to expand and expand, but you'd have to do the same thing that you're doing now. You'd have to come back, and then we, either the five of us exactly or some variation, would have to decide if we see the benefit in that. I think under the circumstances of what you're asking for here and understanding that we're not deciding if you should have a CDD or not and whether or not the folks that are going to benefit from any improvement that would need to be paid for by the CDD, they've already made that determination if they wanted to be there or not, versus us having to do it, I would make a motion to accept staff's opinion. Commissioner Hetherington. Just for clarity, two things. So you mentioned and referenced people who live there. It only applies, and this is wholly industrial property, and the two red areas are the additional industrial property you're adding into the already existing CDD, correct? And it's wholly industrial. Correct. Okay. Yes. So it does not apply to the area surrounding it. Absolutely. And if you were to request that, A, that land would need some kind of development approval, and then you would have to request a CDD separately. This could not be expanded to that. No, absolutely not. In order to expand the development, which is separate from today, there would be a lot of steps in the county's development process, go through the same exact process that they would have had to go through to get any kind of development approval. That's unchanged by today. And then on top of that, we would have to come back and for a CDD boundary expansion to cover those areas consistent with any future development. A lot of steps, a lot of review involved in that process. That is, yeah, that is completely outside of what we're looking at today. Today was driven by, you know, development changes that have already been approved, and now we're looking to have the CDD boundaries match what the development approvals, so they're consistent. Okay. And just one other point is the CDD doesn't currently intend to finance or construct any improvements in these expansion parcels. What they potentially could do is acquire completed improvements, so what that means is, you know, I think it's just common area improvements, so it wouldn't be a, you know, what we're talking about today, too, is more of a discussion about what a CDD could potentially do. But just for today's discussion, it's very limited to, you know, these industrial areas being added to the existing CDD boundaries. Okay, and which is wholly industrial. Correct. And I, listen, I can appreciate a CDD, there are pros and cons, and, but I agree with Commissioner Campy's comments that those, your tenants, your, you know, your owners, those that are investing in building their businesses there get to make the decision whether they want to participate in the CDD or not. Yeah, Mr. Dugan, you said that if the CDD wasn't expanded, and if the developer wouldn't provide these improvements, it would be the county's responsibility to provide those improvements, and that's not the case. It's not our responsibility. It's the developer's. However, the developer chooses to finance that, and this is just a financing mechanism. Absolutely, and I apologize if I misspoke. Again, more of a general discussion about the CDDs and the benefit they provide to the community. So, yeah, I agree with your statement. Commissioner Capps. So, you've stated it a couple of times, and just for clarity, this is not an application to expand the size of the development. We're talking about just applying the CDD financing mechanism to some new parcels that have already been added into the PUD. Yes, yes, sir. And if you ever wanted to expand the size of the development, you would have to come in and do, like, a PUD amendment? Is that the way it would work? Yeah, absolutely. The developer would need to go and petition and go through the PUD process and work with the county on an application to expand their development. But, you know, just in my, at least my world, I'm just dealing with the CDD, and Chapter 190 requires us to go and get an amendment to its ordinance to expand the technical boundaries. And we're, again, required to operate within what the county's approved plans are for the development. So, the district cannot go beyond or do anything different than what the county approved. So, if you had portions of the development that did not have the CDD designation or legal status like the rest of the development, what would that mean for the people who bought property on those parcels that were brought in with those amendments, the parcels in question? Like, what would be the consequences to them if they were not offered that same type of financing mechanism? So, the, I guess we're speaking about property that's located within, say, a broader PUD area, but it's not inside the CDD boundary? Well, say this board were to deny the application of applying the CDD to these amended parcels. What would be the consequences to people who were buying those parcels of land? Like, they wouldn't be able to participate in the infrastructure financing mechanism that the other people are already allowed to do, right? Well, yeah, to the extent that the property is not located within the district boundaries, essentially any district improvements or finance can be financed by assessments levied on the property owners, the accessible property within the boundaries. So, if their property was not within the district boundaries, one point is that they would not be levied any assessments. So, any property outside the CDD boundaries could not be levied assessments to pay for any district improvements. That's just a general concept. As far as the plan for this particular development, if the property was not within the CDD boundaries, then it could impact the district's ability to finance or maintain or construct any improvements within those boundaries. Whatever the plan would be, it could impact the district's ability to provide those improvements. And, you know, one of the benefits of allowing a CDD to finance these improvements is we're able to deliver more cost-effective public infrastructure improvements to the community. So, you know, if it wasn't – if we still had these improvements and someone bought into that property, then they're benefited by it. It might cost them more to buy the property. It might cost them more to, you know, to own that property. So, the CDD benefits, you know, the individuals that live there because they're able to get more cost-effective improvements and also having that maintenance entity long-term there to make sure that everything is still functioning the way it should be. This is a point of curiosity. Like, say I'm a buyer and a developer that has a CDD. Like, I understand Newfield is the CDD. And the contract that you signed to buy the house and the deed, what does that look like when you're buying into a CDD? Does it reference a year slice of the infrastructure costs for the development? And, you know, you're buying a lot for – or you're buying a house for $700,000, and then you're buying a slice of the infrastructure costs for an additional $100,000 or something? How does that work? I've never seen a contract that involves purchasing inside a CDD. Yeah. So, just generally speaking about if it was a homeowner living in a CDD, you know, the first part is when they're buying their property in their purchase contract, there is required disclosure that lets them know, hey, you are in a CDD. As far as the public improvements, you know, the district goes through a – can go through a financing process where along the way we're posting notice of potential assessments in the public record. So, it will show up on the deed or on your purchase contract. The district lays out basically a capital improvement plan of what they're going to – what they're planning on financing. And, you know, once – we're holding public hearing processes similar to today's hearing where we're mailing or publishing notice in the newspaper or directly mailing it to impacted residents and saying, you know, come to our public meeting. We're planning on financing these improvements. They're going to provide public benefit to the community. And here's our plan. We lay out the exact cost of what it's going to be. And at the end of the day, after a district can go through all those steps, you know, there is an assessment levied on the residents, either – typically their tax bill. Well, you'll see a line for, you know, debt service assessment for series, you know, 2025 bonds. And those bonds were used to, you know, build the roads or build the stormwater ponds. So there's not a – per se, an ownership interest in those improvements. But as a member of the community, you are benefiting from those improvements. And we are – the district is required to hold public, you know, hearing and provide public notice of the district's plan to finance those improvements. So it's probably a lot to just dump out there. But I'm hoping that answers your question about the ownership of the particular improvements will be owned by the district, but not necessarily owned by the landowners within the district. Yeah. So, yeah, that was my next question, was the collection mechanism. It actually goes on the tax bill, the cost of your portion of the infrastructure. Yeah, that's exactly right. A district has the option to collect their assessments on the tax bill. So there's, you know, one – just you'll have your county, you'll have your taxes, and separately from that you'll see any particular assessments that apply. Well, I guess what I would say is that since it doesn't expand the size of the development, you know, we're just talking about giving a financing mechanism to additional partials within the development that has already been approved. I will support it. Commissioner Vargas. Yeah, I think some of my questions were answered here. So this is a mechanism for the developer to recoup his money, pretty much it, correct? It definitely – Passes it on. I've seen it in perpetuity. I've never seen them go away, CDDs. I mean, their bonds are floated for long periods of time. Yeah, and typically when you have a development that, you know, gets you successful completion and, you know, it's developed and either landowners or uses of the property being made by either resident or non-residential purposes, then, yeah, you have a successful community that was helped by utilization of a district or of a CDD. So, you know, without the CDD, I believe that it makes the development could be negatively impacted. So the CDD does help the developer. It also helps the county by having a stable community or development. Instead of having something start halfway, developer runs out of money and then backs away and doesn't, you know, carry through with it. So I think there's benefits not only to the developer, but there's also benefits to the county to have a successful development. When something is approved, you want it to, you know, be successful and have or reach its full potential. Yes, I understand that. But as I said before, there's no guarantee of success, and you agreed. Very few guarantees. So you keep saying live, but this is industrial, correct? Correct. The conversation has kind of been spilling a little bit into general discussion about CDD. So, you know, I am making reference to other communities that which could be residential. But, yeah, for purposes of today's discussion, bringing it back to this narrow petition, we're just talking about adding two industrial pieces that are, you know, zoned or approved for land use for industrial. If the infrastructure improvements fail, whose responsibility is it to fix them? It will be the landowners. Commissioner Hetherington. I second the motion. There's a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? We need to ask for public comment. Sorry. Is there anyone from the public who would like to address us? Seeing none, there's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 3-2 with Commissioners Vargas and Hurd dissenting. We'll now move on to public hearing quasi-judicial number one, which is a public hearing to consider adoption of an amendment to the Martin County Zoning Atlas to change the zoning classification for Driven Brands, Inc. Commissioner Vargas, any ex parte disclosures? I have any. They've been filed. And Commissioner Capps? If I have any, they have been filed. If I have any, they've been filed. Commissioner Campy? I don't have any. I filed that. And Commissioner Hetherington? I don't have any, and that's been filed. So, Mr. Aguilar, have you presented all of your credentials and materials to the clerk? A couple of my work history has been turned in as Exhibit 1. Excellent. Anyone who's going to be providing testimony, please stand up, raise your right hand, and be sworn in. Anyone from the applicant being sworn in? Thank you. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? I do. Proceed. Thank you, Madam Chair. There are no interveners, and a proof of public notice was turned in at the LPA meeting. What was the LPA recommendation? 4-0. Thank you. Good morning, members of the board. My name is Luis Aguilar, principal planner for the Growth Management Department. I'm presenting a resounding application for a property owned by Driven Brands, Inc. Driven Brands, Inc. is requesting a zoning change from PUD Commercial District to General Commercial District. The property is located at the southwest corner of South Canter Highway and Southwest Salerno Road. This is an enlarged area of the site. The property is undeveloped. The future land designation is commercial general. The adjacent properties on South Canter Highway are commercial general as well. The zoning district is planned unit development commercial through the Canter Square PUD zoning agreement, which was executed on July 1, 2008. However, nothing was constructed, and the timetable for development has expired. The proposed re-zoned area is approximately 2.97 acres. There are two standard Category A zoning districts available to implement the commercial general land use policies of the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, which are Community Commercial and General Commercial District and General Commercial District. A new PUD zoning is an additional option for applicants. These are the development standards for Community Commercial and General Commercial District. The differences are in the maximum building coverage, maximum height, and minimum open space. These are the corresponding setbacks, which are the same for both districts. These are the conditions supporting the requested general commercial district. The general commercial district is consistent with a future land use designation, the direct access to South Canter Highway, the adjacent properties with general commercial zoning district designations, and the area of established commercial development on South Canter Highway. This matter was heard before the LPA on June 5, 2025, and as I mentioned before, the LPA voted to approve 4-0. Development review staff have found driven brands in resounding application to comply with all applicable regulations, and the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan as detailed in the staff report. We recommend to move that the Board receive and file the agenda item and its attachments, including the staff report as Exhibit 1, and move that the Board adopt a resolution terminating the Canter Square PUD zoning agreement and amending the Martin County zoning atlas to change the zoning district designation on the subject site from PUDC, Planning Unit Development Commercial, to GC, General Commercial District. This concludes my presentation. And the applicant has prepared a presentation as well, and is here to answer any questions. Questions for staff? Mr. Aguilar, the agenda item says that the PUD zoning agreement was executed on July 1st of 2008. Yes. Was it this entire property, or was it larger? It was for this property. And what was the zoning district before July 1st of 2008? B1. Okay. B1 is? It is what it will be right now, the General Commercial District. Would it also be CC, Community? Good morning. Peter Walden, Deputy Growth Management Director. Prior to this, the stated PUD, there was one prior to that as well, but both of them have expired and been over with. The B1 business district is more consistent with the General Commercial and its uses and its permitted use table. And that was the original zoning district signed to it in 1967. One other note, when the future land use map came out in 1982, it was given General Commercial. At that time, Community Commercial didn't even exist, so it seems like it was always intended for a General Commercial zoning district. But B1 can be converted to General Commercial or Community Commercial. Those are the two choices that are most likely, that those are our choices. Correct. Because there are some significant differences in what's permittable in those two zoning districts. Yes. Those are the two consistent with the General Commercial land use. Correct. For example, Community Commercial does not allow restaurants or convenience stores with drive-through facilities. That's correct. Would the applicant like to make a presentation? My name is Shayla Stack. I work for Bowman Consulting. I'm a resident of Martin County as well. I'm here to represent the Driven Brands rezoning that is occurring off of Canter Highway at the southwest corner of the intersecting roads of Salerno and Canter Highway. The site is existing as a 2.97-acre parcel that has been undeveloped and is vegetated with impacted by exotic communities. There also has been, as previously discussed, a rezoning that was expired, the Canter PUD, and we're requesting to go to Commercial General. The other options, of course, as you discussed, the CC, the CC, and amending the PUD. However, we are looking to go for one use and that being greater compatible than with GC. So, with that, the previous use had provided for a drive-through use, so we were trying to continue along with something similar. So, as you could tell, it's PUDC currently. We're proposing GC. Surrounding it in the north, south, and east is all general commercial. And then just directly behind on the west is B1. Currently, the PUDC could possibly allow for multiple uses, anywhere from one to three to four, however it does decide or gets reconfigured. With that, a GC zoning would allow for one use in itself. And then the PUDC would also allow for some alternatives or deviations from maybe what some of the intent of the commercial code initially was or is currently. So, what we're proposing is general commercial. And the requirements are on the left and the proposed on the right. So, as you can see, the maximum building coverage is 60%. We're proposing only 4% for the most part. The minimum open space is 20%, while we're proposing possibly 50%, give or take. And then we also are meeting the setback requirements. Otherwise, I know buffering seemed to be a question. And along the western boundary, we are proposing there is a 40-foot required buffer from our pre-application meeting. We were told a type 4. With that, there has been mention of, like, fencing or walls and things along those lines being required. That is built into the code for GC, where a type 4 buffer would be required, in which case we are providing that at variable widths. So, just to review, we're requesting GC to keep, essentially, what the intent of the previous Canter Square PUD was. And instead of multiple uses, we're proposing one single use, cohesive, that would be part of the, that would essentially be a part of that primary urban service district that is a part of Canter Highway. So, I appreciate you guys' time, and I'll, any questions? Oh, staff dies. Who is this? Elise Elder, Deputy County Attorney. I know the applicant went into the particular use that's going to be on the property, but I just want to remind the board that this is a rezoning, and we don't look at a particular use. You look at what kind of uses can be put in there, but not exactly what they're putting in. So, I just wanted to put that reminder out there. Mr. Vargas. Okay. So, Ms. Elder, let me understand this. This is for a Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant, correct? Well, so, right now is a rezoning, so we don't look at what the intended use is. You can look at what the highest use that can happen under a zoning district, but what they're doing is not a consideration in the rezoning. That would come for a site plan approval later, but we don't look at what they're actually doing in a rezoning. It's what can they do in the rezoning. And you can look at the highest and most intense use in general commercial versus community commercial, but what they're actually doing is not a consideration in a rezoning, typically. Okay. I think somebody was speaking earlier from the audience, the public, about a traffic concern, too. And, of course, fencing is not a buffer for sound noise abatement. Correct. All of that also comes into play in the site plan process, not in the rezoning process. So all that will come before the board, potentially, when they bring a site plan. But for now, the rezoning is you look at what the potential uses are and what the code provides for those uses. Okay. And so they're asking for the rezoning so that for this particular use. Is that what I'm understanding? Or they could do something different if it was commercial or general commercial? I mean, you could do something different. I mean, I'm looking at the paperwork here, you know, the back information here in my book. Yes. It shows a fast food restaurant. So I assume that's one of the. North Carolina, so, I mean, that's what it is. Correct. So one of the uses in general commercial would be a fast food restaurant with a drive-through. But if the board approves this rezoning, they don't have to do that. They can do any use in general commercial. So that's why we don't take that consideration in a rezoning, because they could do anything that would be within general commercial. They're not restricted to a fast food restaurant with a drive-through. All right. And if we don't approve, then they can't do a Chick-fil-A. Well, if you don't. If there's not. If you don't approve. There has to be an approval of some kind of zoning, because right now they have an expired PUD. So either the applicant would renegotiate the PUD, which I don't think they want to, because they want straight zoning. So the board would have to fix some kind of rezoning for the property, whether it be community commercial, general commercial, or renegotiate the PUD, which the applicant doesn't seem interested in doing. So it has to be rezoned. Otherwise, they can't do anything on their property. And the rezoning has to be based on the competent, substantial evidence that's presented during this hearing today. Commissioner Campy. Thank you very much. I struggle, and I appreciate Ms. Elder reminding us, because it bears reminding. I think for lay people, you know, citizens, and even for some of us commissioners, it's difficult to separate out what do you want to do on the property. But having been up here long enough to realize that's how it works. So then I go to what you could have done before 2008, as we heard from Mr. Walden, was basically what you're asking for today. A B-1 would have given you these things. And that had been in place since 1967. So for nearly everyone that could be a surrounding property owner, if they got there before 1967, they might be surprised by what could have been their neighbor. But since 2008, when it's changed to the PUD, I just came in then. I don't specifically remember the Canter Plaza, whatever this was going to be. I'm assuming it would have been something similar. It could have been multiple businesses. That seemed to be the model back then. It could have been three or four little businesses. Now, I don't blame you, because I think it would be even more helpful for you if you could tell us, and I know you can't, exactly what are you looking to do here, because the public can either get on board or not. Commissioners could either get on board or not. So based on what you're asking for, and then I get the concept between if we went to general versus community, the real decider there is drive-through. Given the name of your company, or at least the applicant's name, Driven, I'm assuming you want a drive-through. I would also tell you that I don't think, and I think everyone would most likely agree, that the food model, not necessarily just fast food, but the food model in general requires a drive-through to be successful, because most Americans don't want to get out of the car anymore. I'll give you an anecdotal situation. We have a Culver's, it's in the city of Stewart, but I find it sometimes easier, call me crazy, to get out of the car and go inside and order at the counter purely because the line to the drive-through might be longer. That's the only reason I'm interested in getting out of the car to go to the counter and order, unless, of course, you're with your kids or you're with someone else, and you're going to go into the restaurant to sit down and eat. But most people are picking food up, so I wouldn't want to begrudge you as the applicant's representative or the applicant, the owner of the property, hamstring them in their business model to not allow drive-through. I think that's not like, hey, we want a drive-through, and America doesn't really care. America cares. So with that in mind, the only two things, and I know that I'm not allowed to layer them up in this decision, I'm only going to give your owners, the people that you're representing, just a clear understanding of where I will be when it is time. I really will be a proponent for the people that were there first. For instance, if your restaurant was there first and someone wanted to build four or five homes behind you, you were there first. So I would lean towards who's the existing person. In this particular case, the residents are there first. So go back to your ownership and say, well, one of the commissioners said that he's very interested in a wall, not a fence. And the other thing that became like an issue after the fact was one of your neighbors just up the road on Kanner built a fast food restaurant, very popular, and I think agreed to some type of filtration system, exhaust filtration system, that they didn't do. And it became a huge problem for the neighbors to smell constant cooking chicken in their yards. And then I went there. Some of them invited us to go and sit in their backyards. It might as well have been in the restaurant. So whatever is going to come there, and I know it's not part of my decision-making process. I told you what my decision-making process is. It will be so they can come forward and get their yes today and then come and say, well, we're not going to do a wall. We're not interested in filtration or whatever. Even if the code is here, like the bare minimum, and I've always said minimum is the legal minimum. The code is not necessarily great. It's the legal minimum. If I will be up here when it is my turn to say, well, I like that idea or I don't, I will expect exhaust filtration and a wall. And because of what you're asking for today, which is the only thing I'm exclusively thinking about, I will give you a motion to accept what you've requested. Commissioner Hetherington. Yeah, a couple questions. So for staff, probably at least, so with the size of this property, if they were to be successful in rezoning, when that would come forward for site planning, would that be a site plan that would be approved administratively by staff, or is that something that would come to this board? It could be approved administratively, depending on what they bring forward, but it could be an administrative approval based on the one use and the size of the property. Okay, so that gives me reason for caution, because it could be negotiated with all those great points that need to be added for the neighbors that is now not coming before the board. So the alternative options would be a new PUD zoning or community... The CC, yes, or renegotiate the existing PUD would be the other option, which you need agreement of both sides, and I'm not sure that the applicant is willing to do that. I don't know if there's been discussions on that. I haven't been privy to it. Isn't there a public hearing, not a public hearing, but isn't there, like, some kind of public board or public meeting requirement or neighborhood meeting requirement that is as part of final site plan? Not at that location. Only if it's in the CRA. Okay, that's the CRA. Hi, good morning. My name is Bill Barbaro with Bowman Consulting. I just wanted to make one clarification. They seem to be circling around. And we could go the PUD route, but what would happen was we would come in with everything just meeting code. Usually PUDs are generated because there are certain things that you want to add in there that are site-specific, so to speak. So the previous PUD that was, they did have a site plan, had a drive-through bank, and I believe a retail store as well. And I think the one before that may have had two drive-throughs. But what we're doing is we're looking for something that just simply matches the previous code, the previous zoning, as much as possible, and it matches that surrounding. So I think that I just want to make sure there was that clarification that there's no need. We're not looking to do a PUD because we're not looking to put multiple, you know, buildings and multiple retail locations there. So I think just wanted to make sure that we go through that clarification. Could the, may I? Could, a PUD could be constructed for a single use? Oh, of course, yes. And as a clarification, this is Luis Aguilar. The current PUD has 7,000 square feet of retail and 3,000 square feet of bank with drive-through and 55 parking spaces. So that's essentially one and a half times what's allowed by the requested GC zoning that we're basically stepping back from what was more aggressive, previously approved. Mr. Aguilar, what were the public benefits in the expired PUD? Because I would imagine that that was factored into the decision by the majority board that made the decision to change from B1 to PUD. I don't have that answer with me right now. I got some information on that. We looked back at the original agenda items. At this time of the application for a PUD, there was a proportionate fair share operation going on for the expansion of Cantor Highway. And I believe, looking at the site plan, because there wasn't any real relief on the site plan showing what the developer could have gotten out of a PUD. So I believe the PUD was evolving around that proportionate fair share negotiation that the board was undertaking at the time. There was no public benefits or other monies associated with the agenda item. All right, I'm looking at permitted uses. Community commercial does not allow outdoor commercial amusements. General commercial does. Community commercial does not allow restaurants and convenience stores with drive-thru facilities. General commercial does. Community commercial does not allow trades and skilled services. It doesn't allow vehicular sales and services. It doesn't allow vehicular service and maintenance. It doesn't allow wholesale trades and services. General commercial does allow all those things. And then please go, Mr. Aguilar or Donna, to page 408 and move that up so that we can see the – that's what I want to show. So that's the parcel that we're considering. And those are the adjacent uses, which for me is significant. Those – it's a large lot, single-family residential development. But they are B1. Can you also read the definition of B1? I can see what the uses are, though. Yeah, and that's a shed for someone's – Well, it's actually a garage that a business is operated out of. It looks like homes to me. It looks like single-family homes to me. But what is the zoning? Can we read the definition of B1? We have to be concerned about compatibility. So these are some of the permitted uses under commercial – community commercial, and some of the uses under general commercial that are not permitted under community commercial. Commissioner Campy. Can you go back to the slide that showed the setbacks, north, east, south, the setbacks, what was required and what you were recommending? Or what you were proposing, I should say. Can I have the – The mouse? Oh, yeah. They were on yours, yes. Can you make it larger, like make it the slideshow? Uh-oh. So the western boundary, in my mind, is the one that would have – is adjacent to the residential – existing residential homes. It's 40. You're going to do 65.9. And to my staff, is that – once they propose that, is that written into the conversation? Well, that 40 feet, I believe, is – takes into effect landscape code, which requires a type 4 buffer. So, again, we're talking about construction standards that are part of the site plan development. So hesitate to go into it in too depth. And in the rezoning, if they say they're going to propose the 65.9, they don't have to in the site plan. So just because there's nothing in the rezoning to keep them to that. Again, that number is an average. There is 40 feet minimum, but there is an area that is larger as well, and then – but it does not ever become less. So you're saying it's undulating kind of thing? It's not a straight line across the – Yes, but it does not become at any point lower than 40 feet. Well, it can't. Yeah, it can't. And as staff had mentioned, this is purely for, you know, speculation. Honestly, we're going straight zoning here and matching what's – Understood. But when you present it and we're thinking about it and the public is looking at these slides on television, I just wanted to clarify what is what. So in my mind, knowing that we don't go into the second phase of what it is in the site plan, a little disappointed that it won't come back before us, maybe that's a conversation we need to have not with the applicant but something that, you know, these are big decisions. The other thing that I think weighs in your favor from my perspective is the parcel that you're talking about is completely fronting Cantor Highway. So, yes, there are residential homes behind it, like I mentioned, and I'm sure they would be thrilled to keep a tree-lined, whether it's evasive or not, tree-lined lot to their east. And I've told many people that like that strategy, you need to own it in order to keep it what you want. Someone owns this property, and I get that we don't owe them a specific business model. I understand that what you're probably looking to do, and I think it said on one of the slides there, I had a name, unless there's something else that ends in full A. That being said, I'm still okay with this under the set of circumstances, knowing that a drive-through, which I'm sure you would agree you don't have to, and I know we're not discussing drive-throughs. Oh, we are. I'm allowed to discuss a drive-through. We are discussing a drive-through. The business model would need to have it. I think we're hamstringing you without it. So I'm leaving my motion in place. This is a public hearing. Would anyone from the public like to address us on this matter? There is a motion. Is there a second? I don't recall that there is. There isn't. Mr. Capps. Can I hear from you one more time, Deputy County Attorney Elise Elder, about why the site plan will not be coming back to us? So I haven't looked at it, but Pete is telling me that it is of the size that doesn't require board approval. It can be administratively approved, so the site plan will, if what's being proposed is brought forward, will likely not come back to the board. There's no guarantee of that. But Pete could probably tell you why. I didn't see it. Yeah. It's $25,000, or there is, like, vehicle use and service. That's another one. That's why the Wawa came before the board. That always has to be a major. But right now the code is just a restaurant with a drive-thru would not trigger that. I think it needs to for a future conversation. It's our threshold. That's what I mean. I think we're going to have to have a conversation that's not part of this because that's a landscape changer. And then can we go back to the previous slide again that showed the houses along the back edge? Probably. Yeah. If, you know, I understand the argument about who was there first, but things have changed, and houses are right up against this property, and I think we need to be really concerned about conditions that they would have to live with going forward. And I just try to put myself in their shoes to think about drive-thru places being right in your backyard. And out of concern for them, I think a community commercial would be a better fit when I think about looking at the backside of a commercial building and the limitations that community commercial would put on that. I think that's a better use. So I will not be able to support this application. There's a motion, but there's not a second. Is there a substitute motion? I will support Commissioner Capps. Is that a motion? Yes. Should we just make a motion for denial, or should we make a motion for a community commercial? Or can we do either? Or you can make a motion to see if the applicant's interested in renegotiating the PUD. You can do a motion for community commercial. If you do a motion for denial, they're left without being able to develop their property, so that's probably the least preferential. Okay, I'll make a motion for a community commercial. I second that motion. Mr. Campy. Prior to that, I was going to make a motion that we have the applicant go and renegotiate with our staff for a PUD. I think if you take a CC today, you've limited yourself exactly on what you can and cannot do there versus some of the frustration that my colleagues and I have had was not having the ability to sort of dictate what you could and could not do there, how it would affect the neighbors, what the side setbacks were, filtration, construction of a wall. You could negotiate those things, and I think maybe if you were able to successfully negotiate those things in a PUD, you might get to the end user that you're hoping for, versus if we do a CC right now, you'll never have that. Okay, so we have a motion on the floor currently that the chair will have to address, and then if otherwise I would make a substitute motion afterwards to have you renegotiate with our staff to go back to the concept of a PUD, letting your ownership know now that they were not successful today. But even with PUD, once again, it doesn't come back to the board. The PUD will come back to the board. Yeah, but the site plan won't. No, but we could negotiate everything that we would want that would happen at a site plan during the PUD negotiation, so even if the final version of the site plan didn't come to us, it couldn't be anything other than what we negotiated in the PUD. It could come back as a master final site plan with a PUD agreement. Yeah, we could even negotiate that it had to come back. To make your decision, I just would like to ask staff, what are the residents allowed to construct and operate on those parcels that are Zone B1? I wouldn't go there. I wouldn't go there. I'm just addressing that it is a transitional use. Yeah, if they're doing something, it's one person. It's not the argument you want to go with, in my opinion. Commissioner Vargas. Okay, so let me understand. When they come back again, after renegotiating PUD, they're going to present a site plan. We're going to put X business entity. It's going to be this type of thing. Is that what I'm understanding? Yeah, so if they come back with a PUD agreement, there'll at least be a master plan where you can put your buffers and all the requirements that you're concerned about. But it would most likely be a master final site plan because it's just one use. So that would require board approval. You can put whatever contingencies for buffering that you want in there to make sure it's big enough and you're protecting the residents so that they would be able to get their use and you would negotiate exactly how they're going to do it. Okay, so then they'll say we're going to put in or not put in a fast food drive-through restaurant or we're going to put a strip center or whatever it may be, correct? They'll tell you exactly what they're putting. Okay, I think we need to have clarity. We have to have vision. We have to do this for the benefit. Let me speak. The compatibility, I don't see this as it stands right now, what you're asking for those who live in the surrounding area. I wouldn't like it. I would not like it at all. So I would recommend that we go with PUD. You could recommend the PUD. If the board does approve community commercial, there's nothing stopping them from coming forward with a PUD agreement as well. So they have options moving forward depending on whatever the board decides today. Okay. There's a motion on the floor for community commercial. May I just? And there's a second. Briefly, yes. So if they adopt the community commercial, then therefore they would not be allowed to do a PUD or? No, they can. If the board approves the community commercial today, they could still come back and propose a PUD zoning on that property. That doesn't foreclose them from doing that. You just put a new zoning on here, and then they would submit a new application for a PUD zoning agreement, and the zoning would change to PUD in the future. But then they'd have to reapply. Correct. They would have to reapply. So right now you would keep the same application. I'm sorry. There's no application for development right now, so that PUD would be part of the site planning process anyway. Correct. It's like layering in an extra step for no reason just to beat the applicant over the head. Well, or to protect the neighbors. There's more than one way to look at it. Commissioner Vargas. Okay. Well, you know, I'm going to look for the greater good, not just for one entity, not just for one entity, for everyone, and put myself there also. So what I'm understanding, if we approve this today, general commercial, they can talk to you about PUD, it will come back before the board anyway. Is this correct? If they apply for a PUD agreement, it will come back for the board. If they take their community commercial and decide to do a final site plan, that might not come back. But a PUD would absolutely come back to the board. That's the board's decision. Okay. And a revision, like to amend the current one and everything, that would come back to the board anyways. Correct. Okay. So if we're talking about walls and filtration and turn-in lanes and all, that will come back to the board. Is that correct? As part of a PUD, the master plan, most likely master final, will come back to the board. Okay. I make a motion for a PUD. Well, we already have to dispense of the motion. If you withdrew your second, then we can start over. Okay. Then I withdraw, and I make a motion for a PUD. Which I will second your motion. Thank you. There is a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Opposed. Which way did you vote, Commissioner Hetherington? Four. In favor. It passes three to two with Commissioner's caps and herd dissenting. And for clarity, that's to renegotiate a PUD, correct? Correct. Which they had before, correct? Yes. That was expired. They didn't have it. It expired, yes. Thank you very much. Okay. Let's take a break for lunch. Until what time? Thank you. 1.30. Agenda item PHQJ2, which is a public hearing to consider adoption of an amendment to the Martin County Zoning Atlas to change the zoning district classification for the American Humane Society. Mr. Elam. Oh, so, ex parte disclosures. Commissioner Vargas. If I have any, they've been filed. And Commissioner Capps. If I have any, they have been filed. I don't have any, and they've been filed. Commissioner Campy. I don't have any. And Commissioner Hetherington. I don't have any, and that's been filed. And Mr. Elam, have you provided all of your credentials to the clerk? It's a copy of the My Work History and the Agenda Item. Excellent. Anyone who's going to provide sworn testimony, please stand, raise your right hand, and be sworn in. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Thank you, Madam Chair, Commissioners. This is a request by Gary Oldehoff on behalf of the American Humane Association, Incorporated, for a proposed amendment to the County Zoning Atlas to change the existing zoning district on two contiguous parcels of land with an approximate area of 13 1⁄2 acres from A2 Agricultural District to AR5A Agricultural Ranchette District, included with this application is a request for a certificate of public facilities exemption. Subject site is located at the northwest intersection of southwest Quail Hollow Street and southwest Citrus Boulevard at 4903 southeast Quail Hollow Street in Palm City. Existing zoning on the district, the existing zoning district on the property is A2 Agricultural District, Category C district consistent with the Agricultural Future Land Use, per Article 3, Division 7 of the Martin County Land Development Regulations. The property's future land use is Agricultural Ranchette. The existing zoning is inconsistent with the underlying future land use of the comp plan. Therefore, this is considered a mandatory rezoning. There's an aerial view of the two parcels that are subject of this rezoning application. There are two standard Category A zoning districts available to implement the Agricultural Ranchette future land use policies of the comp plan, which are AR5A Agricultural Ranchette District and AR10A Agricultural Ranchette District. In addition to the standard zoning district, the PUD Planned Unit Development District is also available as an option. The PUD district offers more design flexibility to applicants for proposed projects. In exchange, the district requires additional benefits to the county and more controls by the county. The requested zoning district of AR5A is the only Category A zoning district consistent with the future land use designation and the currently existing development associated with the areas adjacent to and within the proximity of the subject site. Here are the development standards and structure setbacks for the proposed AR5A and AR10A Agricultural Ranchette zoning districts, which only differ in the maximum residential density allowed with AR5A one unit per five acres and the AR10A one unit per ten acres. This application was heard before the local planning agency on May 15, 2025. The LPA voted unanimously 4-0 in support of staff recommendation to approve this rezoning. Development review staff have found the American Humane Association incorporated rezoning application to comply with all applicable regulations in the comp plan as detailed in our staff report. The staff recommends approval of the rezoning request by the American Humane Association Incorporated. We move that the board receive and file the agenda item, and all its attachments, including the staff report, is Exhibit 1. We move that the board approve the request to rezone from A2 Agricultural District to AR5A Agricultural District. That concludes the presentation. Questions for Stan? Applicant, would you like to make a presentation? Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Madam Chairman, Commissioners. I'm Gary Oldehoff, and I'm really pleased to be representing the American Humane Association. In connection with this request to change the zoning, they've got wonderful plans for the property, and they've got a wonderful-looking property right now. I mean, it is the most serene, beautiful place. With me today are Dr. Robin Ganzert. She's the president and executive director of the American Humane Society, and Miranda Garcia, who is the program coordinator, who's there on site at this property. The association bought this property, and they want to replace a barn that was on the property, and they want to replace a kennel area with modern, updated, raised elevation structures that are air-conditioned and soundproof. But that triggered this requirement, according to your code. It triggered a requirement that the property had to change its zoning to a consistent zoning under the county's new Category A zoning districts because it had an old Category C district, which is deemed by the LDR to be inconsistent with the plan. It's mandatory, and the only zoning district that would be available for this property is the AR-5A, which is consistent with and the same as the Agricultural Ranchette zoning district. So we agree, of course, with the staff's take on this. They've done a wonderful job, and I really want to commend them on the work that they've done on this application. Very, very thorough work was done, and we're going to seek to have you approve this request for change of zoning. Dr. Gansert would like to just speak for a few minutes and tell you a little bit about what's going on on the property or planned to go on on the property. And I think that you'll hear that this is going to be a wonderful addition to Martin County. Can you help me hold these? Thank you. Hello, I'm Dr. Robin Gansert, and I'm so proud to be here today. Thank you so very much for taking the time considering this petition. First of all, American Humane Association is our country's oldest national humane organization, founded almost 150 years ago. And contrary to my children's belief, I haven't been CEO for 150 years, but it has been a long time. We work around the world. You already know us through our rescue program that was founded on the battlefields of World War I. You know us through our No Animals Were Harmed and the making of this movie. If you have a cage-free egg, you know American Humane because we certify most of the cage-free eggs in this country. Most humanely raised agriculture are certified through the entity that I have the privilege and the opportunity to lead. This organization is so proud to have Martin County as our new home, our home for our sanctuary. And when Gary described it, I can tell you it is a place of peace. It's heaven on earth, and it's also a place where we are going to serve America's wounded warriors by providing them with service dogs. About 10 years ago, it was General Petraeus and General Keene who came to me and said, we need to have a service dog program for wounded warriors to stem the tide of suicides. These are the wounded warriors who face PTS and TBI. And so we created Pups for Patriots. And as we looked at this program's growth, I realized that I had a vision of having a beautiful sanctuary, a residential place for our service dogs, hence the opportunity to be in Martin County, the opportunity to build this incredible facility that we're talking about, have kennels, and of course what I call our Arc of Hope barn. So this is, again, a beautiful slice of heaven. And we also have absolutely celebrated the land and the biodiversity on this particular plot of land. I'd like to introduce you to a drawing of what our Arc of Hope barn will look like. It's rather large. It's rather glorious. And, again, it is all state-of-the-art facilities for animal care and handling. And right behind it, thank you, Gary, you have the view that you saw in the slide presentation. And, of course, this is the entire plot of land. You can see that this right there will become the Arc of Hope barn. It was an old riding arena that has been removed. And those will be the state-of-art chemicals, again, with soundproofing and HEPA filters and all the latest in terms of systems. So we're delighted to be in Martin County. We're delighted to protect animals here and bring our incredible rescue program. But, most importantly, this will be a place where we train service dogs for wounded warriors. Thank you so much. Any further information? Questions for the applicant? This is a public hearing. Would anyone from the public like to address us? Hearing none, back to the board. Mr. Cain. First off, thank you for the presentation. Your team, your local team, who I have had the opportunity to meet in the past, have done a remarkable job explaining to those of us that are not as, I mean, once we heard it, then I said, oh, like you mentioned in your presentation, we've heard of these things, just didn't realize who was doing it. So it's a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for picking Martin County. I think it's a great compliment. We have a lot of organizations that we hope to see you all collaborate with. I know that that has already begun to do that. So it's my pleasure, especially considering you've smartly selected Palm City for your operation. I'm honored to make the motion to accept staff's recommendation. Second. There's a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you very much. Good luck. Next up is public hearing quasi-judicial number three, which is a public hearing, which is a request for approval of a revised major final site plan for Parrot Circle Storage Facility, formerly known as CNC Recreational Vehicle Resort Development. This is a quasi-judicial public hearing. Are there any ex parte disclosures? Commissioner Vargas. If I have any, that's been filed. And Commissioner Capps. If I have any, they have been filed. I don't have any, and they've been filed. Commissioner Campy. I don't have any, and they've been filed. And Commissioner Hetherington. I don't have any, and that's been filed. And Mr. Elam, have you provided your credentials to the clerk? Copy my work history and this agenda item have been turned in. Anyone who's going to be providing sworn testimony, please stand, raise your right hand, and be sworn in. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Proceed, Mr. Elam. Thank you, Madam Chair. Again, for the record, Brian Elam, Principal Planner with the Growth Management Department. This is a request by HJA Design Studio, LLC, on behalf of Land America 225, LLC, for approval of a revised major final site plan to construct a 59,932-square-foot, two-story self-storage facility with a total area of 119,983 square feet, and the associated infrastructure on approximately four and a half acres of an 11.1-acre undeveloped parcel. Included with this application is a request for a Certificate of Public Facilities Reservation. The subject site is located at 450 Southeast Parrot Circle, generally on the east side of South Canter Highway, approximately 0.3 miles south of Southeast Pomeroy Street, and directly north of Charlie's Neighborhood Bar and Grill in Stewart. The site was approved on December 26, 2012, as a 57-lot recreational vehicle park. A preserve area management plan was established from previous Canter Professional Center and Southeast Parrot Circle driveway projects, approved in March of 2008. There are no proposed changes to the existing preserve areas or PAMP with this application. The current zoning on the property is CC, Community Commercial District, and RS-3, Low-Density Residential District. The future land use is Commercial General and Low-Density. A mandatory rezoning was approved by the Board December 6, 2022, rezoning the portion of land with a low-density future land use from A1A Agricultural District to RS-3, Low-Density Residential District. The entirety of the proposed development is located on the portion of land-zoned community commercial setback as required from the existing wetland and preserve areas that were previously established. This is the revised final site plan. The building is set back from South Canter Highway, approximately 390 feet, and is accessed via Southeast Parrot Circle. The building's primary facade complies with our Article 4, Division 20 commercial design standards, providing elevated parapet locations and accented cornice treatments and other various architectural features. The property fronting South Canter Highway consists of approximately two acres of preserved land under a PAMP from the street that's fronting the street. That preserved area wraps around the northern portion of the proposed development and all the way down the eastern property line, all the way to the southern property line. The development has gated access to the northern portion of the building that includes outdoor storage and loading areas. So as you pulled in the driveway here, they have a gate, which you access the loading areas and some outdoor storage that's on the northeastern portion of the property. Development provides 16 parking spaces to accommodate customers. Development review staff have found the Land America 225 LLC application to comply with all applicable regulations of the comp plan as detailed in our staff report. This matter was heard by the local planning agency on June 5th, 2025, and the LPA voted unanimously to approve staff's recommendation. Staff recommends approval of the application. We move that the board receive and file the agenda item and all its attachments, including the staff report as Exhibit 1. We move that the board adopt a resolution approving the revised final site plan for the Parrot Circle Storage Facility Project. That concludes the presentation. Happy to answer any questions. Questions for staff. Would the applicant like to make a presentation? Hello, commissioners. I hope you're having a good day today. Thank you for your time. My name is Erica Beitler. I'm the agent for the applicant with HA Design Studio. Brian promised me the mouse today. And thank you, staff, for working diligently with our team over the last couple years. Here we go. All right. So as Brian mentioned, this site is located off of Kanner Highway and behind Charlie's Barn Grill. Our team worked together with staff back and forth over the last few years to make sure that we meet all the needs. This project represents a strategic reuse of the currently vacant parcel to meet growing storage needs in the community while preserving the environmental resources on site and aligning with Martin County's long-term goal. You can see here, this is our site, and we're surrounded by residential communities and Charlie's in our front. We have a shared access with Charlie's Barn Grill through an easement. Our site is, as Brian mentioned, mostly in conservation easements, and the existing approved PAMP maintains the same, and we are surrounded by other residential areas. The previously approved plan was formerly a recreation vehicle resort development, and as you can see, this was the approved PAMP area here that hugs the property. We are requesting a two-story self-storage unit with a footprint of 59,000 square feet, and it will overall be gross of 119,000 square feet. We have shared access with improvements at gated drive right before you get into the bulk of the development. We have outdoor storage opportunities for trailers and recreation vehicles, consistent with what was approved previously, but also high-end indoor storage, secured, has elevators, and really we are preserving 70, well, not preserving, but there is 77% open space on this site, and 59% of that is within conservation easements. We have 46 trailer RV boat parking spaces that are 10 by 30s, and we are meeting all the appropriate setbacks from the wetlands and preservation areas, as well as 100% native vegetation, as is per code, but always like to make it native as much as we can. And in the southeast, south corner, sorry, is the dry retention area. We have here, this arrow is a front section, really from the road, you may see some of this main area to the south, but in all, this is the front elevation. It's pretty modern, clean, and it meets all the design criterias of working with staff that need to be met. And here just breaks up a little bit more with details and the color palette. It's pretty neutral considering our environment and surroundings. We didn't want to make it a sore thumb. Here is just an extensive map, just reiterating the fact that we are surrounded by all these residents, some Cleveland Clinic and IRSC down the road. And I just wanted to show you that we are pretty far away from the closest residents, 280 roughly being the closest. But we also have the wetland buffer and wetland and upland buffer and this native landscape buffer to our south bordering. And what is that? I'm sorry, I just blanked. Martin's Crossings. So with that said, I just wanted to say that Parrot Circle's storage facility was thoughtfully designed to be code compliant development, low impact, that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding community. This project meets and or exceeds all zoning, environmental, and design requirements and emphasizes that community compatibility and environmental stewardship as best as we can, preserving over eight acres open space and provides a safe, efficient access for future users. So we appreciate your guidance and consideration for this project. And I'm here for any questions or site details you want to talk. Questions for the applicant. Mr. Vargas. Okay. Erica. Erica. I might lean. The owner is out of Delray Beach. Yes, ma'am. And this is what they do is set up storage places? They do. They're known for high-end, high-security places. High-end. Okay, storage area. I just think everybody will have a giant garage sale in Martin County. I've expressed that several times. Stop this. So you said it's about 70% conservation wetland preserves. Is that correct? I had a different number. I said 59%. Oh, it's 15. Okay. Well, that's close. It's 77% open space, but of that. Is that about that? Okay. So what about the environmental report? You know, everybody's talking about the gopher tours, which have been discovered in that area, and some companies, unfortunately, didn't respect that. So I'm very concerned about that. Yes, ma'am. We don't have our environmental consultant here, EW, with us, but I do know that the PAMP has been reviewed diligently with staff, and nothing has been affected for site development for that. And I'm certain with requirements of the state that we will be diligently searching for tortoises and go with the – I would hope so. Of course. Because they could be disturbed, you know, once you start. Understood. Construction. It's illegal. I believe that's a requirement of – It is. Prior to pre-construction. Absolutely. Correct. And an updated gopher tortoise survey is required prior to construction. Okay. And if they're discovered, they have to stop. They have to pay for the transport, relocation, everything, which they don't survive too well, I know. I spoke to a scientist about that, which I am not, but anyway. Yeah, that was a couple of questions. I noticed – I was really concerned about who's going to be peering from the second floor into somebody's swimming pool area and the surrounding area. I do have rear elevations I could show you, which don't have any windows. So, I hope there is nobody that can see through walls. But – so, unfortunately, that – they wouldn't have anybody peering in. And I would assume it would just be secured walls and rooms. But with the native vegetation that's within the upland preserve and the proposed buffer, landscape buffer, I would – how do you go back on this? This was the approved plan, landscape detail, that we have since updated, but we kept this half requirement due to the existing buffer and the crossings. Okay. And then it says six-foot opaque fence or wall. Yes. Why wouldn't you put in a wall with trees so that – Well, we weren't going to do a wall because there's existing salt palmettos there that are pretty substantially grown, and we don't want to disturb the existing vegetation there. I don't have a detail of that per se, but – and underneath a lot of these trees are big existing clumps of probably five – four-and-a-half, five-foot salt palmettos. Any further questions? This is a public hearing. Would anyone from the public like to address us? Seeing none, back to the board. I'll make a motion for staff's recommendation of approval. I will second it. Is there any further discussion? There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you all for your time and your service. Next item is quasi-judicial public hearing number one, which is a request for approval of the final site plan for Discovery PUD Phase 3C, which is a clubhouse tract. This is a quasi-judicial proceeding. Commissioner Vargas, any ex parte disclosures? I have none, and it's been filed. Commissioner Capps? If I have any, they have been filed. I don't have any, and they've been filed. Commissioner Campy? I don't have any. Commissioner Hetherington? I don't have any, and that's been filed. Mr. Elam, have you filed all your credentials? It's a copy of my work. And anyone who's going to be providing sworn testimony, please stand, raise your right hand, and be sworn in. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Please proceed. Thank you, Madam Chair. From the record, Brian Elam, Principal Planner with the Growth Management Department. This is a request by Lucido and Associates on behalf of Atlantic Fields Club, LLC. For final site plan approval for Phase 3C, tract R11-L, which includes the main golf clubhouse, a lake clubhouse, spa buildings, an outdoor amphitheater, and associated infrastructure within the Discovery PUD. Included is a request for a certificate of public facilities reservation. The property is located north of Bridge Road, approximately one mile east of the I-95 interchange at 2935 Southeast Bridge Road in Hope Sound. Current zoning on the property is PUD by way of the Discovery Plan Unit Development Zoning Agreement, approved in September 2022. The future land use is Rural Lifestyle. This is an excerpt of the phasing plan approved with the Third Amendment that I'm using here to provide a visual location of where Phase 3C is on the property. To the right is Bridge Road, so that would be your south, and then up above there is the north. Here's an excerpt from the Phase 3C final site plan showing the overall area consisting of approximately 11.81 acres. Development includes the main golf clubhouse, lake clubhouse, spa, and the outdoor amphitheater. Development review staff have found the Atlantic Fields Club LLC application to comply with all applicable regulations of the comp plan as detailed in the staff report. Review of this application by the local planning agency is not required. Staff recommends approval of this, and we move that the board receive and file the agenda item and its attachments, including the staff report as Exhibit 1. I move that the board adopt the resolution approving the Phase 3C final site plan for the Discovery PUD project. That concludes the presentation. Happy to answer any questions. Questions for staff. Applicant, would you like to make a presentation? Good afternoon, Commissioners. How are you all? For the record, my name is Bob Raines. I'm a land use attorney with the Gunster Law Firm here this afternoon on behalf of the applicant. I did just have a couple of quick questions for Mr. Elam, if I could, with your permission. Mr. Elam, I'm just reading. I'm looking at the staff report, Section F. It says that staff has reviewed this application and finds that it complies with the LDRs as detailed within the report, and staff recommends approval of this development application as consistent with the guidelines and standards of the applicable comprehensive goals, objectives, and policies as implemented in the LDRs. Is that your section, sir? Did you write that? Yes. And in your professional opinion, is that still the case? Yes. And then also Section G states that staff has reviewed this application and finds that it complies with the LDRs as detailed within the staff report, and staff recommends approval of this development application as consistent with the guidelines and standards of the applicable comprehensive goals, objectives, and policies as implemented in the LDRs. Did you also write that? Yes. And in your professional opinion, do you still believe that's the case? Yes. And also in your professional opinion, do you believe that this proposed final site plan is consistent with the approved preliminary master site plan and the Third Amendment to the PUD? Yes, it is. Okay. Thank you. I'm just going to ask Morris Crady, if I could, Commissioner, to come up for one second. We're not really going to make any kind of presentation because we had a detailed presentation along this layout previously when we did some of the preliminary stuff and master site plan. But, Mr. Crady, if you can just introduce yourself and if you're sworn in. Sure. Excuse me. For the record, my name is Morris Crady. I'm senior partner with the CEDO and Associates and a 35 member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and I have been sworn in. And in your professional opinion, sir, does this final site plan, is it consistent with the approved master site plan and the PUD and all the amendments? Yes, it's consistent with all the PUD amendments and the master site plan. And also the code, the LDRs, and the Martin County Comprehensive Plan? Yes, that's correct. So, Commissioners, I mean, if you have any questions, we're certainly happy to answer that. I believe, you know, again, this is a final site plan approval. There's no amendments to the PUD. It's consistent with the preliminary site plan and the PUD agreements and all the amendments. And we would respectfully request that you approve the final site plan before you today. We'll be glad, again, to answer any questions you might have. Any questions for the applicant? Not so much questions. Any questions, take public comment, I guess, and then I'll... Would anyone from the public like to address us? Seeing none, back to the board. Thank you. Having had the opportunity, as many of us have, that have been up for a bit to follow through this from its beginning iterations, I think that the project that Discovery Land Company has brought to Martin County and now Atlantic Fields with Mr. Malkuri and the team have created something that's just world class. And we're so, I personally believe, we're fortunate to have it here. As they've reached these milestones, I'm happy for them. I appreciate the efforts of our staff to go through and make sure that everything that we would require is handled. I think in a situation such as this, that is not such a difficult task simply based on the fact that they're creating a remarkably beautiful, very well-done facility that will bring residents, probably not their primary residents, but will bring residents to the community that I know our not-for-profit community is already all buzzing about because not only will it bring a tremendous tax benefit to all Martin County residents without a lot of draw on the schools and the roads and the beaches and the libraries, but tremendous tax-based generation, which as we try to balance out our tax structure between taking some of the burden off of our residents and putting it more into commercial and industrial, but in this particular case, a mix of residential, the statistic that we've been using, and I've heard accurate is, you know, the equivalent of nearly approximate 6,000 homes is what you'd have to build to bring in what these 319, 17, excuse me, I'm going to give you a density bump there, 317 will bring, as well as the fact from a not-for-profit point of view, I like to say people give where they live. And so as people start to build their homes in this community, I think we'll see the ripple effect of how they will see. We had two examples this morning of charities that are not-for-profits that work in our community to our residents' benefit. I think Atlantic Fields and one or two other projects will be the leaders in that effort, so honored to accept staff's recommendation on this agenda item. Anyone else? I agree, and I'll second it. There's no further comment. There's a motion and a second on the floor. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. On to DPQJ2, which is a request for approval of the final site plan for Discovery PUD Phase 3B Golf Performance Center tract. And this is quasi-judicial. Commissioner Vargas, any ex parte disclosures? I have none. It's been filed. Commissioner Capps? If I have any, they have been filed. I don't have any, and they've been filed. Commissioner Campy? Still don't have any. Commissioner Hetherington? I don't have any, and they've been filed. And Mr. Elam, do you have credentials that you're passing to the clerk? I'll be my work history and the agenda item. You print up a lot of credentials, don't you? Same one, over and over. This is quasi-judicial. If you're going to be providing sworn testimony, please stand, raise your right hand, and be sworn in. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Please proceed. Thank you, Madam Chair. Again, for the record, Brian Elam, principal planner with growth management. This is a request by Lucido and Associates on behalf of Discovery Hope Sound Investors, LLC, for approval of the Phase 3B final site plan for the Discovery planned unit development. The subject cited is an approximate 21.9-acre portion of a 1,530-acre property. The proposed development includes a golf performance center with hitting bays and training facilities, including associated infrastructure. Included with this request, included is a request for a certificate of public facilities reservation. The property is located at 2935 Southeast Bridge Road, north of Bridge Road, and approximately one mile east of the I-95 interchange. The current zoning is Discovery PUD, and the future land use is Rural Lifestyle. This is, again, an excerpt of the approved phasing plan, and just to give you an idea of where the location is, to the right would be Bridge Road, which would be south. And this is an excerpt close-up showing you this particular phase, the total area in the performance center, and the training facilities. So, development review staff have found the Atlantic Fields Club, LLC, application to comply with all applicable regulations in the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan. It's detailed in the staff report. Review of this application by the LPA is not required. We move that the board receive and file the agenda item and its attachments, including the staff report as Exhibit 1. We move that the board adopt a resolution approving the Phase 3B final site plan for the Discovery PUD project. That concludes the presentation. Questions for staff? Mr. Raines. Good afternoon again. Once again, for the record, Bob Raines with the Gunster Law Firm here on behalf of the applicant. And, again, just very quickly, Mr. Elam, you're responsible for Section F. I'll try to shortcut circuit this, Commissioner, for Section F and Section G in the staff report, correct? That's correct. And those find that we're in compliance with the LDRs and the Comprehensive Plan. Is that correct? That's correct. And we also meet all the requirements consistent with the preliminary site plan and the PUD, the PUD Master Site Plan to PUD agreement and all these amendments. Is that correct? That's correct. And, Mr. Crady, just for one second. Again, we have no presentation, again, based on what we have. But, Mr. Crady, for the record. Yeah, again, Morris Crady, Senior Partner with the CEDO and Associates. And? And we're, yeah, I have reviewed the, or actually coordinated the application package through the process. And I do believe it meets all of the PUD requirements and applicable Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations. And I was sworn in. And I was sworn in, yes. Thank you. Again, Commissioner, we'll be glad to answer any questions you might have. And we, again, appreciate your patience and time. Questions for the applicant. This is a public hearing. Would anyone from the public like to address us on this matter? Seeing none, we're returning to the board. Commissioner Campy. I'll move staff's recommendation for approval. Second. There's a motion and a second. And no pressure, but the Golf Digest magazine just declared that Apogee was the best practice facility and golf performance center in the entire United States. So, no pressure. Well, you've got to let them open. You've got to, you know, get a year to achieve that. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Let the mid-cake. You're taking up golf. Best thing that ever happened. DPQJ is a request for approval of the sign of the sign of the sign of the sign. Final Site Plan for Discovery PUD Phase 1C Tract M2, which is the maintenance facility and associated infrastructure. Oh. This is a quasi-judicial proceeding. Are there any ex parte disclosures? Commissioner Vargas? None, and I filed the request. Commissioner Capps. If I have any, they have been filed. I don't have any, and they've been filed. Commissioner Capps. Since the last agenda item, I did have a couple of conversations with the applicant. No, I have none. And Commissioner Hetherington. I don't have any, and that's been filed. Mr. Elam, would you provide another stack of papers to the clerk? I have another stack of papers. The agenda item in my work history, but also included is the resolution to approve, which was somehow electronically not available on the agenda. Something happened during the compilation of the agenda. So I've turned it in. Okay. Anyone who's going to be providing sworn testimony, please stand, raise your right hand, and be sworn in. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Proceed. Chair, commissioners, this is a request by Lucido and Associates on behalf of Discovery Hope Sound Investors LLC for approval of the Phase 1C Final Site Plan for the Discovery Planned Unit Development. Subject site is approximately a 21.3-acre portion of the 1,530-acre property. The proposed development includes a maintenance facility, office building, cart barn, various agricultural structures, and related infrastructure, including a 50-foot-wide landscape berm along the entire Bridge Road frontage. Included is a request for a certificate of public facilities reservation. It's just properties located north of Bridge Road, approximately one mile east of I-95 Interchange at 2935 Southeast Bridge Road in Hope Sound. Zoning is Discovery PUD, and the future land use is Rural Lifestyle. Again, the phasing plan to the right is Bridge Road south, and you can see that this particular site plan has to do with Phase 1C right along there. This is an excerpt of the final site plan showing you the developments, the cart barn, and the storage areas. So development review staff have found the Atlantic Fields Club LLC application to comply with all applicable regulations in the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan as detailed in the staff report. The staff recommends approval. This was not required to be heard by the local planning agency. We move that the board receive and file this agenda item and its attachments, including the staff report as Exhibit 1, and move the board adopt the resolution approving the Phase 1C final site plan for the Discovery PUD project. That concludes the presentation. I'll be happy to answer any questions. I have a request. Since the resolution for approval is not included in our packet, and you did include it in the clerk's packet, you want to put it on the camera so that we don't have any irregularities? Yeah. Okay. Good. You don't have to. She already has it up. Oh. How is it in her packet and it's not in mine? It's in mine. Okay. Questions for Mr. Elam. Applicant. Once again, for the record, Bob Raines with the Gunster Law Firm here on behalf of the applicant. And thank you, Commissioner, for putting that up. I appreciate it. I think that was a great idea to make sure we got all our I's dotted and T's crossed. So thank you. Again, Mr. Elam, just very quickly, you're responsible for Section F and Section G in the staff report, correct? Yes. And those state that this project and final site plan complies with the land development code and the comprehensive plan and is consistent with that. Is that correct? That's correct. And is it also your professional opinion that this project and final site plan is consistent with the preliminary and master site plan approval and the PUD agreement and all the amendments? Yes, that's correct. Thank you. Mr. Crady, one more time. Yep. Just to take that and we'll be done. Okay. Morris Crady, again, senior partner with Lucido and Associates. And I coordinated the application process and I believe it meets all the requirements in the PUD agreement, the amendments, and applicable codes and comprehensive plan policies. And you've been sworn in. And I have been sworn in. Thank you. Again, once again, thank you for your time and your patience and we appreciate everything and we would respectfully request you approve this final site plan. We'll be glad to answer any questions. Thank you. Any questions for the applicant? This is a public hearing. Would anyone from the public like to address this on this matter? Seeing none, back to the board. Commissioner Campy. I'd like to hear from the applicant if he could just give us a general update on how things are going. Are they on time? I hear things in the community, but we'd love to hear it directly from you. Take your sons to work day. It is on that. Good afternoon. My name is Rick Malcori with Atlantic Fields. We are pretty much on target with the project right now. The primary golf course is now complete. Going through the grow-in process. We're working through some of the golf buildings, golf house performance center. Utilities are on schedule. We're just about completed with our tie-ins to SMRU's facilities north and C-Branch. As far as the residential homes, we've got about 10 under construction right now and another 25, 30 in the pipeline in some various process. The furthest one along is in the process of windows and doors and that kind of stuff, and the rest of them are somewhere in between. We intend to, obviously, because of the size of the clubhouse, we probably won't start that until at least in the fall. It's probably a two-and-a-half-plus-year build. So just based on timing, what we try to do is bring the amenities on in the fall when the residents are coming back. So because of the timing on that, we'll probably delay the construction a little bit on it. But I'm still moving forward, and obviously, the maintenance complexes and things like that are pretty important to us. We need to get that going. Beyond that, for the moment, we are shut down for the summer. So we're kind of in the construction mode. We've paved about, I'd say, probably 35, 40 percent of the infrastructure. Now the roadways are paved. We're in the process of landscaping the streetscapes and things like that. I don't know if you've driven by lately, the entrances kind of landscape when the process is doing the greeter's cottage and gate systems, et cetera, and then now we'll start working on the perimeter buffers, perimeter security, et cetera. So happy to answer any questions that anybody has. One more for him. I'm sorry, just to follow up, I was at a presentation where Mr. Hurley was talking about the donations that you made when you originally put the project in place. Can you share again, either remind people? Yeah, there was several components of the PUD that were part of our approval process. We are pretty much through all of them, except we haven't quite finalized the wetland restoration or habitat restoration area. That's probably still about 30, 45 days out. But the easement over the tree farm has been completed. That's a three-party agreement with the Becker family or the owners there, the county and Conservation Florida. So that's recorded. That's completed. We actually- And how many acres in conservation? 800. Forever. Forever. And that, we just went through our annual inspections from Conservation Florida, and everything was concurrent with the easements. The train station is in Hope Sound. I will be remiss to say that once we got it there, I've been somewhat hands-off on what they're doing with it, but we're happy to have delivered it and let the historical society take care of it from there. The dedication of the park access, that is complete. The building has been turned over, and I did notice the park does have some people in kind of cleaning up and doing some things around there. We have been asked when it's going to be open to the public, and people are coming and asking us, and we just really don't know. So that's truly the park in their operations and when they want to open it up to the public. We still probably will do some stuff for them as far as parking areas and things like that when they decide what they want to do. And the connections for actually for the off-site stormwater now that we were taking in the 320-acre runoff from Thomas Produce, that connections are all made. They're all tied into our systems now. So our systems are complete and operational, so the overall drainage system is now done, and it's working. Thankfully, because of the rains, it's working well. But those are the proffers that we had, and I think everything is pretty much going according to the schedule. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Mr. Capps. Yes, one of the public benefits that was offered by Atlantic Ridge was the southern access to the Atlantic Ridge State Park that you just referred to. Can you remind us exactly what you all did on that particular public benefit? I know there's a road and there's a building. Yeah, basically, we could start a public access on the east side of the property that goes from Bridge Road up to what was an existing barn that was on when it was part of the Old Hope Sound Polo Club. We donated the barn and the parcel, approximately eight acres, to the state. That was basically in cooperation for us to get our easements for our utility connections. That was approved, and the transaction was closed three or four months ago. So, it is owned by the state of Florida at this point, and like I said, I'm not sure. I know there are people in working on it. I'm hoping that they're going to try to get it open soon. We still have a little bit of stuff to do as far as helping them create some maintenance roads and things like that that we're kind of in progress with. But those are all just sort of cleanup stuff that we're coordinating with the park on. Hopefully, they'll open it up soon. Right. That really isn't our call. So, the road that goes north on the east side of your property there, who owns the road? Is it Atlantic Fields? You continue to own the road, but you're giving public access on that road to the Atlantic Ridge State Park? We own the road, but it was a perpetual easement that was granted to the state. That was granted via the Platte. Do you have any thoughts about what else might be needed there? Do we need – I haven't visited that site yet, but we're going to be going there soon to take a look at what we think we need there to have a good southern access to the Atlantic Ridge State Park. You know, it would seem like you would need some kind of gate and a trail cut through there. What we did was, at the park's request, we created a turnaround. So, there is a point where they can put a physical gate in because, obviously, they want to control the access in there. So, we created that – you know, so if somebody comes in with a horse trailer and decides that the park's closed or whatever, they have the ability to turn around and get back out. Other than probably some parking that they're going to need, and I think we would work with them on helping them to deal with that, any improvements to the buildings, that would really be up to them and what they want. There is a couple paddocks in that area that probably could use a little bit of rehabilitation or maybe reduce them down to one or two. Other than that, really, it's kind of up to the park what they want to do with it. Okay. That was very helpful. Thanks. Thank you. Anybody else? Did we do this already? We already voted, right? No. Oh, okay. I make a – If a vote would be helpful, thank you. Motion to deny. I make a motion to accept staff's recommendation on DPQJ number three in the trifecta of today's approvals. Second. Any further comments? There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Morris, you dropped your pen. Next up is Department 1, which is Office of Management and Budget Items, which require board approval. Good afternoon, Ms. Murley. Good afternoon. I have eight items for you on the OMB today. Our first item is permission to apply for the Children's Services Council grant program, the after-school, out-of-school program grant. Our Parks and Recreation Department is requesting permission to apply for up to $400,000 to fund various after-school and out-of-school youth programming. This programming has been run since 1994. There is a grant match of $375,000 that's currently budgeted within the Parks and Rec operation budget. Our second item is a permission to apply for the State of Florida FDOT Public Transportation Grant Agreement for the FY26 Section 5311 Non-Urbanized Area Formula Funds. Our Public Works Transit Department is requesting a grant of $176,811 to provide operating assistance to continue the Indiantown Non-Urbanized Bus Route Services. There is approximately a grant match of $176,811 budgeted within the Public Works Transit Operating Budget. Item number three is a permission to accept the State of Florida Department of Health FY25 Emergency Medical Services, or the EMS Trust Fund Grant. This is an annual grant that we receive from the state. It's an amount of $22,360.99, and it enables the county to enhance the delivery of emergency medical services through the purchase of equipment that is not budgeted in the Fire Rescue Department budget. There is no grant match required on this. Item number four is a permission to accept the Small County Outreach Program, or the SCOP Supplemental Agreement No. 1 for the Southwest Fox Brown Road Project. This supplemental agreement increases FDOT's participation by $167,727 and decreases our local requirement by $1.7 million. This is budgeted within the current matches budgeted in the Southwest Fox Brown Road CIP sheet. Item number five is a permission to accept the United States EPA 2023 South Florida Geographic Initiatives Grant. Our Environmental Services Division is requesting the acceptance of $400,000 for funding water quality, land use, and sediment nutrient analysis. There is a grant match of $80,000, which is budgeted in the Environmental Resource Division's operational budget. Item number six is a permission to accept amendment number one to the agreement for the Martin County Port Salerno-New Monrovia Vacuum Sewer System Project. The first amount was $500,000, and this amendment is providing an additional $12.5 million by FDEP to provide sewer availability to 960 parcels and eliminate nutrient loading from on-site septic set. I'm sorry, I didn't hear the number? Yeah, let's hear the total number. It went from $500,000 to $12,500,000 for a total of $13 million. So the funding will reduce the cost of the assessment benefiting the property owners in that area. Worth the wait. Item number seven is a permission to accept the Clean Vessel Act grant. Our Utilities and Solid Waste Department is requesting the acceptance of $91,210 for expenses that are associated with the operation and the maintenance of the pump-out boat program. We have a match of $30,403, which is budgeted within the operational budget of Utilities and Solid Waste. Sam Emerson, number one and the number two. Number one. It's old, isn't it? No, it never gets old. Yes, it is. And item number eight is a permission to accept the Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services, or the State Aid to Library Grant Fund. The state has awarded a grant in the amount of $75,883 to fund a full-time library specialist position that has been approved by the board back in June of 2015. There is no cash match required, and that is all I have for you today. A lot of good news. Any questions for Ms. Merle? Excellent job as always. Commissioner Capps? Howdy. Hi. Who decides the match amounts on all of these grants? They seem to vary a lot. You know, some of them are 50-50. Some of them don't have a match at all. You know, it's all over the board as far as I'm curious about where that comes from. It all depends on the actual grant, the agency. And so we match the criteria of the grant ahead of time as to some of them are nearly 100% on, like, some of the transit grants, and then others are – many of them are 50-50, but the – that's – it just depends on who's issuing the grant and what criteria. So it is all over the place, as you described, Commissioner. Thank you. That's all. Is there a motion to approve Department 1? I'll move staff's recommendation for approval for Departmental No. 1. I will second it. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. And we are – Department 2 is contracts that meet the threshold for board approval of $1 million or greater. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Commissioners, Madam Chair. My name is Seth McConaughey. I'm your senior purchasing agent for the record. I have two items for your consideration today. The first is a continuing service agreement for water meter installation. This agreement has a maximum not-to-exceed term of five years with a maximum not-to-exceed value of $4 million. Staff is recommending that the board award the contract to the two lowest responsive and responsible bidders, All Contractor Services Incorporated, Doing Business as Reuter 1, and Clearwater Solutions, LLC. Staff is also recommending that the board authorize a county administrator or designate to execute all documents related to this request. And my second and final item for your consideration today is another continuing service agreement for Banner Financial Management System Technical and Functional Support. This has another maximum not-to-exceed term of five years and a maximum not-to-exceed value of $4 million. Staff is recommending that the board award the contract to the highest-scoring proposer, David Kent Consulting Incorporated, and move that the board authorize a county administrator or designee to execute all documents related to this request. And that concludes my items. Commissioner Hetherington. Yeah. On departmental number one, the bidders, it's very perplexing to me. So you've got, I don't know, 10 or more, 13 bidders, and they range from $755,000 to $5.7 million. That seems like a very broad range, and now we're selected the lowest bidder, which is in the $755,000 and $790,000, the top two bidders. But it seems highly unlikely are these people bidding on the same scope because you've got a range between $750,000 to $5.7 million. So I'm concerned that, well, definitely they weren't bidding apples to apples in some case, but it's, that's, I mean, what do you? For the record, Sam Amerson Utilities and Solid Waste Department, there was a bid form. They all bid the same items. There were numerous items for meter replacement, dual check valve replacement, raising the meter box, replacing the lid. We provide all the materials, and this is for labor. Well, but they do. It's been my experience. They're all over the board. That's a huge range. If they all have the same bid form between $750,000 and $5.7 million. $5 million swing. Is there, we don't allow change orders in, say, on those top two bidders, right? If they were to come in and say, oops, we forgot X, Y, Z, what's the next step? Their bid is their bid. And they're responsible and responsive? Occasionally we have, in that situation, they are unable to perform. You have two contractors, I think, in this case, right, that we would go to that actually, they have to accept the same bid price for both of them. And if they're unable to perform, you'll see this re-bid again. We just have to cancel it if they're unable to perform at the price. Both contractors. Yes. But with the two, and they both accepted the lowest price, then it gives you the opportunity that if one's too busy, you have another contractor that can perform. Or if one, as you said, says, hey, I can't mobilize for this project that you assigned me, it gives you the opportunity to go to the second one. And occasionally when we've done this, one bidder may just simply withdraw entirely because they were unable to perform. But in the end, we're relying upon the good faith in the bid bonding that they provide that they can meet the pricing that they put on the form. That's right. And reference checks were made for the two low bidders, and they all came back with very good references. Okay. Just a very interesting bid, the way they bid that. Any more questions for Mr. McConaughey? Excellent job, sir. Yeah. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. And a second. Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Commissioner. We are going to – are we going to take you last? We're going to go to Department 4 next, which is a contribution toward the City of Stewart's 4th of July fireworks show. I'll introduce this one. So in celebration of our 100th year anniversary, I did reach out to the City of Stewart. This was not them reaching out to us. I'm going to make sure that you all understand that there was the – to the City Manager, Mike Mortel, if there was capability for them to celebrate our 100th with us, as they already have an established fireworks. They are spending $40,000 on the fireworks display. That's just for the pyrotechnics. They have another, I think, $25,000 in the rental of the barge. So they did agree that they would love to celebrate our 100th with us, and the suggestion is that we would augment their existing display by 50 percent, which would be a $20,000 contribution. So in the end, you would have a $60,000 display of fireworks. Obviously, this is a little bit last minute, and the fact that we just have a few weeks before the July 4th. They have done initial preparations, hoping that we will participate with them. But I did explain to them there's no guarantee, as it was my recommendation. So anyway, as it is in the incorporated city limits, MSTU funds are not eligible for this, so the funding would be general fund reserves. And so it is my recommendation that for this one-time event, celebrating our 100th year anniversary within the county seat, that we would participate with the City of Stewart. They would acknowledge the county's 100th year as part of this event and celebrate our centennial. And that's really the simple request. Thank you. Questions and comments. Commissioner Capps. I think that's a really good gesture, and we need some fanfare. This is a big deal, a 100-year celebration. So I would move approval. Second. Any further comments? Commissioner Vargas. As I requested, can they say, Martin County celebrating 100 years. You know, they do all this by computer. I don't know that we have a sophisticated drone show, but they will certainly clip it in their literature and acknowledge, yes. Mr. Mortel. Uh-huh. Thank you. Thank you. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. And are you ready to proceed, or do we need to wait? Okay. We will now go on to Department 3, which is an affordable housing update. Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. George Stokas, for the record. Thanks for delaying. We're trying to, I think, I don't know if Mr. Ranieri's behind me, but I know Ms. Carol Howard-Dietz is behind me with the United Way. Both of those individuals represent some groups that we have as staff been meeting with for affordable housing. I know it's been a little bit of a while since we've had the affordable housing update. We were curious as to see and still kind of are curious to see as to where the state is going to go through its legislative session on that. But during those various meetings, we've had numerous questions in regards to LDRs as it relates to accessory dwelling units, as well as we've had some conversations with the Community Land Trust and where it relates to Banner Lake, which I know are kind of two different projects for various commissioners up here who are concerned. So the reason I'm here for today, just to keep it brief but hopefully brilliant, is I'm looking for some direction from the board as to staff would like to go ahead and begin researching and then come back to you with some proposed revisions to the comprehensive growth management plan and or the land development regulations in regards to accessory dwelling units, as well as the definition of family that is in our county zoning definition book. And also, I'm pretty sure that we will need to come back at a later date in regards to Banner Lake. So with that, I know Ms. Elder from our Deputy County Attorney, and I believe Clyde Doolin and Mr. Schilling are here from growth management if there's any questions. But really, this is just a request for us to be allowed to go back, look at some of these things, and refine them and come back to you at a later date. And that is my presentation, ma'am. Questions, comments. Mr. K. Thank you. If you remember a long time ago, I guess a couple years ago, I started thinking about affordable housing. It's an issue that's happening everywhere in America, but obviously here as well. And there, at the time, I talked about, like, what the procedure would be. It was – it's such a large, multifaceted issue. It's easy to become overwhelmed, and when you become overwhelmed, we'll just say, eh, we'll do nothing. And what I was trying to say at the time, and I appreciate staff sticking with it, a lot of our not-for-profits sticking with it, is instead of just getting frustrated by that it's so large we won't be able to do anything, we will look at it piece by piece. And I used an example of the story, and I still like it because I think it just sort of sums up what we're up against, of a little boy throwing something into the ocean, and a guy walks up, and he sees that there's thousands of starfish on the beach. And this little boy is throwing starfish into the ocean, and the man says to him, what are you doing? He's like, I'm trying to save these starfish. And he's like, well, you're never going to be able to do it. There's just too many here. You won't – it won't make a difference. And he throws another one into the water, and he goes, well, it will for that one. And I think when we address housing, we're not going to solve the housing problem. But to do nothing, I believe, as elected officials, is irresponsible of us. And every year that we wait or we don't act decisively, people are struggling. And now, sadly, more and more people are probably joining into that. Layer on top of that, the remarkable – if you're selling your home in the last several years, the remarkable housing boom, which forced – and then, of course, now you have the much higher interest rates. So folks that were well on their way to saving enough money to achieve that goal, the dream of home ownership, they're not able to when the interest rates are hovering around seven. It takes them out of the home buying market, leaving them in the rental market, compressing the supply even more so, allowing landlords to make their rates higher. Now, I agree, and I've said all along, it's not the government's responsibility. When we talk about these projects, we're not talking about government-sponsored housing projects. We're talking about how do we assist not-for-profits or private sector developers, or in this particular case, individual homeowners, to help ease some of the compaction. I think what Mr. Stokas and Rob Bruneri and has an ad hoc committee of experts working on this, this was the first step to recreate some of the definitions. That's the kind of thing that we can do as your local government. We can make the process more attainable, more understandable, easier to navigate, so that you don't have to necessarily have a whole team of paid professional consultants to help you just figure out that you could put an apartment above your garage or add an accessory dwelling unit in your backyard. Our language, and I appreciate our growth management staff with you and legal, because it's a multifaceted, even the solutions in the building, you all have met many times with the group to bring this first step forward, which is to help us define or redefine what some of these requirements and definitions that we have in our regulations. So I would hope that my colleagues would see it similarly. Obviously, it's just the first step. By doing some of this, it also, for people that are concerned about larger-scale developments, multi-unit developments, giving people the ability to create something much smaller, not only does it add a unit to the inventory, the other side of the benefit is if you were the original homeowner and you did have the ability to put some type of an accessory dwelling on your property. And there's a lot of requirements on how you could do that, parking and such. You can also create an additional income stream that can help you get through the difficult times. So there's a landlord benefit. Now, remember, we're not talking about multi-unit landlords. We're talking about someone who owns a home and might be able to get one extra unit out of it. And these are not meant to be 2,000-square-foot, 3,000-square-foot units. This is the opening kind of entry level of apartments, if you will. And so I'm very pleased that this is here today, and I'd love to hear from my colleagues. I hope that Mr. Ranieri will be able to attend. I know he's been back and forth all day here. But I think it's really an important step in the right direction for us as a board and as a government to show our residents that we do, we are trying hard to take the issue of affordable housing seriously here for our Martin County residents. Thank you. Any other comments? Commissioner Capps. Mr. Stokas, when you come back to us, maybe you could refresh our memories about not only our comp plan provisions regarding adequate housing for residents, but also I was rather intrigued by what the Florida statutes have to say as well about our obligations as a county to provide adequate housing for existing and future populations. I thought that was really interesting when I was taking some online classes for this program called Certified County Commissioner, which I think Commissioner Vargas is also doing it, and our more senior members of the commission have already done. We weren't allowed to do them online. We had to actually go to Gainesville and do them in person. Okay. But I took two or three classes on affordable housing from the Florida Housing Coalition. That was very, very interesting, and they emphasized several times that that's actually in Florida statutes, and it would be good for us to be reminded of what those statutes say. And then also the comp plan provisions that we would have locally on the subject that have to do with residential capacity and that kind of thing. It would be good to have a refresher on that. The other thing that I think is interesting about accessory dwelling units is to remind everyone that guest houses are generally allowed now in many neighborhoods. And generally the rule is that a guest house is supposed to be half the size of the main house. And technically, as I understand it right now, you're not supposed to rent your guest house out. It's supposed to be for, like, guests, you know, and not tenants. Yes, but perhaps we could just – one of the considerations could be allowing those guest houses to be rented out with separate water meters and mailboxes and electric meters, and so that people are free to just rent them out. So that's a thought, you know, and it would be something that perhaps we could discuss. But I think it's interesting to remind the public about what a guest house is currently and how many people in many neighborhoods are already allowed to build something in the backyard. So this would perhaps be just a little more flexible. Would anyone from the public like to address this on this? Commissioner Hetherington. I would just add that I would prefer to look at things that work with Martin County specific than to be preempted by the state and be forced to do things. So I think looking at this holistically and what works in Martin County is a smart decision moving forward, and I think ADUs is probably a good place to start. Any further comments? Thank you. That brings us to the end of our meeting. Would anyone from the public like to address this on another matter? Mr. Stokas, can I ask him one more thing? Did you need me to talk about Banner Lake? No, I'm good. We'll just bring it up next time. Yes, sir. Go ahead. That's fine. Oh, Madam Chair, would you mind voting on my recommended motion proposed for you? Which is? Just move that the board directs staff to research. Do research. Research and propose revisions to the comprehensive plan and or LDR for accessory dwelling units and in furtherance of providing affordable housing. Is there a motion? I'll make that motion. Is there a second? Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. So it's time for Commissioner comments. Commissioner Vargas. No, I think we talked about hopefully a very, very good trip last week. I have a lot of confidence. We have a strong team there, and everything moves seamlessly. So I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to meet the representatives, federal representatives, senators, staff, and departments. So thank you. Mr. Capps. I'm good. I just wanted to bring up, hopefully you've noticed that this room underwent a renovation since our last meeting. And it's a substantial renovation, and we were all a little nervous about it because it's a big difference. It's much bolder. The result, in my opinion, is warm and pleasing. And it's been at least 30 years since this room had any sort of attention given to it, including a paint job. So we replaced chairs. We replaced carpeting. We replaced, we painted. And it looks sensational. And I just want to say it was a major undertaking, and it was undertaken by our general services staff. And MCTV gave an awful lot of input, and it was seamless. Everybody was so pleasant to work with, and it was done in such an efficient manner, and everyone cared. And it was just a marvelous renovation, and I want to thank everyone who was involved, all of you who participated. You did a terrific job. Thank you. Commissioner Campy. We won't be meeting again until July 8th, so let me wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July. Join the fireworks. Commissioner Hetherington. I'm all set. Thank you. Mr. Donaldson. No, just thank you for the attendance in D.C. I thought we did have a great team. And ending up with the Office of Management budget, which is quite prickly, and then bringing in a junior member to get educated on Everglades and Martin County issues to mentor them, I thought was a great kind of explanation point at the end. So thank you again. Yeah, I just want to. I thought they were very friendly, very warm. I just want to say that we go to see an awful lot of legislative representatives. We went to see our senators. We went to see our representatives. We went to see other people's representatives. We went to Office of Management and Budget. We went to the Army Corps of Engineers. We went to Department of Transportation. When we go to Washington, D.C., we spend your money wisely. We spend our time wisely. We went to the Everglades Summit for a day, and that was extremely instructive. So it was a very illuminating visit, as always. And also thanks to our representatives in Washington who accompany us and hold our hands and drag us to all of our meetings navigating through the Capitol. Ms. Woods. Mr. Capps. One other comment. Shout out to Congressman Brian Mast because he met with us personally, with all of the other senators and representatives. We met with key staff, very powerful figures on their staff. But he met with us personally, so that was pretty cool. So did Congresswoman Frankel. That's right. She did, too. That's right. Congresswoman Frankel from former mayor of West Palm Beach. We are adjourned. Thank you.