County approves new operations center plan

STUART – The Martin County Commission majority approved the major final site plan for the long-planned $74 million operations center off Southwest Kanner Highway that will ultimately unite its far-flung departments and simultaneous comply with Federal Aviation Administration requirements to remove non-aeronautical business from Witham Field.

District 1 Commissioner Eileen Vargas cast the lone dissenting vote on the plan Oct. 27 after having previously voted against the majority Board’s April decision to borrow up to $64 million through bonds to fund the bulk of the construction. The county already set aside $10 million for the project.

Principal Planner Brian Elam introduced the agenda item that afternoon.

“This is a request by Schmidt Nichols on behalf of Martin County for major site plan approval to construct a new operations facility,” he said. “Proposed construction includes a one-story principal building of approximately 111,650 square feet, accessory structures and related infrastructure on an approximate 29.8-acre undeveloped lot. The subject site is located west of Southwest Kanner Highway and north of Southwest Waterside Way.”

Elam reminded commissioners and those in attendance that the Board had previously entered into a comprehensive development agreement with Building Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Inc. to build the new facility, approving that comprehensive development agreement on April 21. He then dove into the site plan.

“The structural design of the building shell consists of tilt-up concrete panels rated for 180 mph wind resistance, including hurricane-rated exterior windows, pedestrian doors, awnings, covered areas and overhead doors, as well as a 20-year bonded roofing system,” he explained. “The project includes all utility, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, fire sprinklers, access management surveillance, chillers, backup generators and associated fuel dispensing and monitoring systems. All interior furniture fixtures and equipment are provided. A bi-directional amplifier antenna system is included in the design to guarantee first responders maintain two-way radio communication.”

Elam pointed out that the new operations facility would “support the collocation” of the Martin County Environmental Resources Department, Mosquito Control Field Operations, Parks and Recreation Operations, General Services and the Vehicular Maintenance Department. After describing the different vehicle entrances and the planned landscape buffer that will include “98 percent of native trees and 94 percent of shrubs and ground covers,” he recommended approval.

“Development Review staff have found the final site plan application to comply with all applicable regulations and the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan as detailed in the staff report,” he concluded. “Staff recommends approval of the request.”

District 3 Commissioner Blake Capps was the first Board member to pose clarification questions.

“In addition to the accessory buildings, tell me some of the other big-ticket items that go into this final site plan as far as cost that go beyond the price of a building,” he said. “You mentioned a wall – show us where the wall is again.”

“That basically goes all the way around the entire property,” Elam said. “All along the frontage here is a six-foot-high wall on top of the three-foot earthen berm, giving you a landscaping buffer. That wall continues around the rest of the property on all the other sides.”

“How about asphalt?” Commissioner Capps prodded. “How much goes into this site and where would that parking be?”

General Services Director Sean Donahue tackled that inquiry while providing other information.

“The entire site is basically 25 acres of work area with some upfront parking,” he said while pointing to the overhead site plan. “I think there’s a couple acres of parking, roughly 200 to 250 spots. The main building is kind of a collaborative area of conference rooms, breakroom, restrooms [and] locker rooms. Here is the vehicle maintenance area and General Services; in this quadrant is the Public Works Mosquito Control, Field OPS, signage [and] traffic. Then over on the western side is Parks & Rec and Parks & Rec Field Opps. Over here we have the the central energy plant, which also has the emergency backup generators.”

Commissioner Ed Ciampi immediately posed his own questions.

“Did you leave yourselves enough space for future expansion?” he asked. “You basically shoe-horned into the site.”

“We can more efficiently use spaces,” Donahue answered. “We can always add on to the building down the road if needed – there is room. it could go vertical.”

Commissioner Ciampi then made a motion for approval, insisting the project was “long overdue.”

“This has been in the works for probably 30 years,” he said. “I know it’s been a bit controversial, but I think residents will see an impact in efficiency and cost savings.”

Commissioner Vargas reiterated her opposition, however.

“There should be no debt issued now obligating the taxpayers,” she exclaimed. “We don’t have the money now – we didn’t have it then. This is a bad deal for Martin County [and] not the time to be putting money out.”

Chairwoman Sarah Heard, conversely, held the opposite viewpoint.

“I think this is a terrific project,” she said. “It’s going to make our county [and] employees safer. I think that staff has done a wonderful job. The contract we signed with the contractor is a very beneficial one to Martin County.”

The County Commission then voted 4-1 for approval, with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

County approves new operations center plan

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