County commissioners unanimously denied a proposal to develop more than 2,400 houses on a 2,600-acre site in southwest Martin County.
The proposed residential development on a rural property called Harmony Ranch would have required changes to the county’s comprehensive land-use plan.
In the last 15 years, the county commission has rejected multiple proposals to develop Harmony Ranch, which long has been used for cattle ranching.
A company called Hobe Sound Ranch proposed changing the land-use designation of the 2,600-acre site from one allowing one residential unit per 20 acres to designations allowing denser residential development.
Hobe Sound ranch also wanted changes to the county’s comprehensive plan that would have allowed for the extension of water and sewer service to Harmony Ranch.
The property, west of Florida’s Turnpike between Southwest Pratt-Whitney Road and Southwest Bridge Road.
Many nearby residents have opposed dense residential development at Harmony Ranch. For example, residents of 86 of the 109 properties in the Foxwood subdivision just north of Harmony Ranch have filed letters in opposition, according to the Foxwood Homeowners Association.
In a letter to the Martin County Growth Management Department, developer Thomas Kenny III wrote on behalf of Hobe Sound Ranch that the company’s plans for Harmony Ranch would provide more workforce and senior housing. [TCPalm.com] – Mike Seemuth