County Commission majority backs Hobe Sound rezoning
The Martin County Commission approved rezoning 108 acres near Hobe Sound to light industrial despite resident opposition and concerns about future data center development. Commissioners had previously directed staff to draft a moratorium ordinance on data centers, a topic that heavily featured in the debate leading to the rezoning approval.
The Martin County Commission approved the rezoning of a 108-acre property near Hobe Sound from A-1 Small Farms and M-1 Industrial to Light Industrial, despite local resident protests. The decision, made on September 15, stemmed from a proposal to construct a business park, but concerns about potential future data center development on the industrially zoned land were a major point of contention. Commissioners Blake Capps and Chairwoman Sarah Heard dissented on the vote, with Capps specifically citing fears of data centers.
The property, located near Powerline and Southeast Bridge roads, already had an industrial future land use designation from 1982, though the applicant initially sought General Industrial zoning. The Local Planning Agency (LPA) had recommended Light Industrial zoning, which the applicant's attorney, Bob Raynes, ultimately agreed to accept in cooperation with neighbors. Intervenor Kevin Mackie, a local resident, supported the LPA's recommendation for Light Industrial.
A significant part of the debate revolved around data centers, which are currently permitted in most of Martin County's industrially zoned areas. Commissioners had previously directed staff to draft a moratorium ordinance for data centers. During the meeting, Commissioner Capps highlighted this concern, attempting to keep a larger parcel zoned M-1 to prevent more intense uses like data centers. However, his motion failed 2-3.
Ultimately, Commissioner Eileen Vargas moved to rezone both parcels to Light Industrial, which passed 3-2, with Commissioners Capps and Heard dissenting. This approval allows for a business park while acknowledging the ongoing county-level discussions about potential data center moratoriums.