Martin County LPA recommends approval of Paradise Lake PUD, preserving wetlands and donating $11,000 to land trust

The Martin County Local Planning Agency (LPA) on July 16 voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Paradise Lake planned unit development, which would create 11 single-family lots on about 71–72 acres and preserve large portions of wetlands and upland habitat.

Luis Aguilar, principal planner for the growth management department, told the LPA that staff found the proposal consistent with county regulations and the comprehensive growth management plan and “recommend[ed] approving the POD zoning agreement, including the master and final site plan.” Aguilar’s presentation said the project would provide 94% open space, preserve 32.38 acres of freshwater wetland, dedicate about 1.4 acres of right-of-way to Martin County along SE 138th Street, and prohibit guest houses and accessory dwelling units.

The applicant’s counsel, Morris Crady, read a statement from property owner Michael Heisenberg describing a family compound intended to keep the family in Martin County for generations. Crady highlighted design changes from a 2010 approval: the project has been reduced from 12 lots to 11 to preserve specimen oak trees, includes a 920-foot buffer from Jonathan Dickinson State Park, and adds tree-protection and restoration commitments. Crady said the applicant will contribute $1,000 per unit, $11,000 total, to the Martin County Community Land Trust and perform perpetual management to remove invasive species as part of the preserve area management plan.

Commissioners asked whether approval would lock in the 11 lots; Aguilar confirmed the approval establishes the proposed configuration and that the applicant represented no intention to expand density. The board also confirmed a recorded flow-through drainage easement from the 2010 agreement remains in place and noted the project increases upland preserve acreage relative to a by-right RE2A development scenario.

With no public comment recorded, Committee member (speaker 6) moved to recommend approval; Committee member (speaker 4) seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The LPA’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners, which has final authority on the PUD and will hold the public hearing required for a general-ordinance matter.