STUART – The Local Planning Agency on July 17 voted 3-0 to approve Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning for an 8.6-acre parcel at Martin Highway and SW 30th Avenue in Palm City, allowing for a compact multifamily community near the site of a previously controversial project.
The rezoning, requested by HJA Design Studios on behalf of property owner Finland Capital LLC, will enable construction of 51 two-story townhomes, six three-story duplexes, and one three-story single-family home—totaling 58 units at a density of 6.7 units per acre. Principal Planner Brian Elam said the project complies with the underlying Medium Density Residential land use designation, which allows up to 8 units per acre, or up to 10 units with a density bonus.
As part of the PUD, 1.25 acres of native habitat will be preserved under a management plan. Elam noted the developer would have been limited to 40 townhomes under existing RM-8 zoning, but the PUD allows flexibility in setbacks, lot sizes, and parking—offset by negotiated public benefits…