Martin County Approves Limited-Industrial Zoning for Hobe Sound Property in Narrow 3–2 Vote

The Martin County Commission has approved a zoning change for a property along Southeast Powerline Avenue in Hobe Sound, settling on a limited-industrial classification after a general industrial designation drew significant pushback from nearby residents — and leaving some commissioners with unresolved concerns about what might eventually be built there.

The 3-2 vote came after the property owner, through land-use attorney Bob Reins of Gunster, offered to accept the less-intensive limited-industrial classification in response to resident opposition.

“To cooperate and show if that's what the neighbors feel is more appropriate and that would be a better use, then we are willing to accept the light industrial,” Reins said.

Residents who spoke at the Tuesday commission meeting focused on preserving the feel of the community. Steve Addison, who has lived in the area since 1969, said his primary concern was protecting quality of life.

“We don't have a lot of industry and a lot of noise,” Addison said. He ultimately viewed the limited-industrial outcome as a reasonable compromise. “I feel like it was a win-win for both of us.”

Other residents were more cautious. Patrick McDonough, president of the Eaglewood Community HOA, said he remained concerned about the open-ended nature of an industrial classification. “We're concerned about the permanence of a GI classification which we believe is too broad and too open-ended,” he said, referring to the original general industrial proposal.

The data center question

The vote was not unanimous in part because of concerns about what the limited-industrial zoning could eventually allow. Commissioner Blake Capps voted against, citing the potential for a data center to be built on the site.

“Who knows where this is really going in the future and to approve a zoning for this property that allows a data center — I'm not into that,” Capps said.

The county said there are no current plans for a data center at the site. Under the approved zoning, any proposal exceeding 100,000 square feet would require additional board approval.