Developer pulls proposal to build in Martin County
March 23rd, 2012 by TCPalm.comBy Eric Pfahler
MARTIN COUNTY — Harmony Ranch has decided to withdraw its development plans after meeting resistance from Martin County commissioners, Harmony Ranch Development Corp. Vice President Tom Kenny wrote in an email late Friday afternoon to Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers.
“On March 13, we appeared before the Martin County Board of County Commissioners,” Kenny wrote in the short announcement. “During that meeting they stated that they do not support our application for the Harmony (Development of Regional Impact).”
The site sits on 2,701 acres of agricultural land west of Florida’s Turnpike along Bridge Road. The proposed development called for 2 million square feet of business space and 4,000 houses to be built over an extended period of time. Harmony Ranch developers proposed expanding the county’s urban service district to include the development site, meaning county water and sewer services would extend to the project.
In email correspondence with Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, Kenny wrote that he is disappointed to withdraw the application.
“The County Commissioners made it clear to us that there was no support on Tuesday,” he wrote.
Representatives for Harmony claimed the project could produce more than 7,000 jobs during the next three decades and claimed the property is a continuation of current development patterns. Critics panned the project as unnecessary urban sprawl.
“No. 1, I’m pleased for the county,” said Donna Melzer, a former county commissioner and critic of the project. “I think it’s a good direction for the county to be going to accept that this is not the right project at the right time in the right location.”
As Harmony went through the process, the project gained little public support from commissioners.
Commissioners Doug Smith and Patrick Hayes have said they would not support the current Harmony plans, while Commission Chairman Ed Ciampi has not publicly taken a stand on the proposal.
In December, Smith said he could not support the Harmony development as currently presented. Coupled with likely opposition by commissioners Ed Fielding and Sarah Heard, Smith’s comments made it difficult for outsiders to foresee passage for the project.
Such a proposal also required a growth plan amendment and the developers had proposed creating a new land use category specifically for the project.
The email announcement claims the Harmony Ranch Development Corp.will withdraw its DRI, planned unit development and comprehensive plan amendments to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and to Martin County.
“We wish to thank all of the many people and entities with whom we have met over the last 9 months of our application,” Kenny wrote.
On March 13, the County Commission voted 3-2 to wait until the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council makes its recommendations on the western Hobe Sound project. The new information was due July 1.
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March 24th, 2012 at 12:21 am
Once again Martin County demonstrates that the Quality of life is more important than making developers wealthy and
Too bad PBC and Broward counties didn’t understand that when they sold out to the carpet baggers.
March 24th, 2012 at 6:09 am
TOO bad the commissioners do not need money or a job.So many construction workers are out of work it is sickening to see developement once again being frozen when a private company wants to spend money and build. Martin County Needed this boost to the economy, It needed the job creation this project would have created.
March 24th, 2012 at 7:08 am
To all the workers who have to continue driving to PBC to work, vote accordingly. Down in PBC we have no problem building houses and taking the boost in our economy. How do you think we can afford vacations, boats and nice cars. The money has to come from somewhere.
March 24th, 2012 at 7:42 am
BRAVO! Martin County for making the correct decision!!!!!! Very surprising to see the 3 pro-growth commissioners not voting for their wallets. But then again, there is always next time. You critics obviously do not understand the big picture. Shame on you!
March 24th, 2012 at 8:18 am
Outstanding decision!
March 24th, 2012 at 8:33 am
GREAT NEWS!! Florida already has zoning in place to support three times the population we have now, so it makes no sense to add more pressure to our capacity to supply water, for one thing. I have a bumper sticker to distribute: “Leaving Florida? Take a Developer” Just like every other place where living things exist, there is a “carrying capacity”. Here in Florida we are way past that capacity already, so let’s just deal with our present population like so many other areas have, and do it successfully.
My personal thanks to all the Martin County Commissioners who thought clearly about this proposed sprawl, and voted not to ruin 2,000 acres.
March 24th, 2012 at 8:47 am
Good for Martin County — poster Tom has it right — FL is already overbuilt — that’s why the housing crash crushed FL home prices more than it did many other states plus — the issue of fresh water availability in the state is an ongoing problem that cannot be resolved by building more houses and businesses.
Let’s hope Developer Doug (Smith) can resist the next developer who dangles an idea in front on him.
March 24th, 2012 at 10:57 am
Thank you to the Commissioners for voting for the residents rather than the developers. I moved from PB Co. last year because I was tired of the overpopulation and lack of services. Martin County was our choice because it is so reminiscent of old Florida. So you create jobs for a few years, then everyone moves on and those of us that paid good money for this laid-back, safe environment have to endure all that goes with too many people in too small an area. Crime, noise, pollution and traffic.
March 26th, 2012 at 12:56 am
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[...]Developer pulls proposal to build in Martin County | Treasure Coast Talk[...]…
March 26th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
There are probably already close to 2000 buildable lots in Martin County where services ( sewer, water , emergency services, law enforcement etc. ) already exist. It’s called infill, and it’s the best route to go.
March 26th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Congratulations to Martin County. I’m sure it was a hard decision. One of the reasons we left Palm Beach County in the ’70s was the argument for keeping septic tanks in our area. Seems that the aquifer was being replenished from the septic tanks. At that time Martin County had salt water intrusion into its wells.
I’d like to see more infill as well before stretching services out to new areas.
March 27th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
How about from now on when Martin County people want a job they stay in Martin County and not commute to Palm Beach County. Since the county is all about what they think is their quality of life – live with the jobs you have. Oh wait a minute – there are no jobs in Martin County
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