PH-1 was the first public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance creating a moratorium on submission and acceptance of applications related to large scale data centers in unincorporated Martin County.
On August 25th 2026, the majority Board directed the County Attorney to bring back an ordinance creating a 365 day moratorium on data centers. The Board was concerned about significant impacts associated with a large scale data centers, specifically as it relates to noise, water and electrical power consumption, water disposal, compatibility, and other environmental conditions. This proposed ordinance provides staff with the necessary time to conduct additional research and analysis of existing data and information related to large-scale data center proposed revisions to the comprehensive growth management plan and the land development regulations to properly regulate these facilities in order to protect our county from negative impacts.
The Village of Indiantown currently has two or possibly three data center applications pending. Martin County has no jurisdiction over these applications.
The Board voted unanimously to approve the ordinance creating the moratorium, with Commissioner Hetherington absent.
PHQJ -1 was a quasi judicial public hearing to certify an agricultural enclave.
On April 20, 2026, Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill (SB) 686, which was passed during the regular session of the legislature. This bill went into effect on July 1st. It takes away local decision making if a parcel meets the requirements of the state's law on agricultural enclaves. After receiving an application, staff has 30 days to issue a staff report.
The proposed agricultural enclave consists of three parcels totaling 399 acres north of Kanner Highway and west of 96th St.
According to the requirements of the new law, in order to qualify for the agricultural enclave, the land must prove it is in continual bonafide agricultural use for the past 5 years. The county's Property Appraiser's Office (PAO) is the sole entity that statutorily determines if land is classified as agricultural. The property in this application does not meet this required standard.
Another requirement of the law is that the proposed agricultural enclave must be surrounded on at least 75% of their perimeter by existing industrial, commercial or residential development. Staff concluded that only 17.48% of this application's perimeter is surrounded by these uses. Therefore, this application does not meet the required standard.
The Florida Legislature, when creating and approving SB686, intended for the residential development on certified agricultural enclaves to be relatively compatible in terms of density with the adjacent urban development.
This agricultural enclave's proposed density is 15.5 times higher than adjacent agricultural ranchette density. And, it is 62 times greater than the density of the adjacent agricultural density.
The Board voted unanimously to deny the application with Hetherington absent.
Dept-4 was an extra item created in response to our Marty public transit system's cessation of all operations on October 8, 2026.
Martin County contracted with a new public transit provider to start services on July 1,2025. The contract's term was one three-year term with 2 one-year renewals. The contractor was required to submit a 180 day termination notice of stopping service. That notice was issued on September 3, 2026. With no further notice, the vendor ceased services on October 8, 2026.
Marty ridership has experienced a 110% increase since 2021. FY26 has seen a 27% increase in ridership.
Reliable Marty services are essential services for many of our residents.
The Board voted unanimously to authorize the County Administrator to negotiate and execute a contract with MTM Inc. for road transit and support services.
That contract has been executed and all drivers who were contracted under the former contract have been hired by MTM Inc. |
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