Martin and St. Lucie County
Regional Land Use Study
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Prevailing development patterns in Martin and St. Lucie counties have
helped create a transportation system that is out of balance with
land use. In recent years, development has boomed west of Florida’s
Turnpike, near I-95, and along the western edge of the urban area
largely bypassing suitable vacant land or areas where redevelopment
might occur in the eastern portion of the two counties. As development
sprawls further to the west, it strains public facilities, consumes
open space, and threatens the environmental and natural resources. This
spreading out of the population, further separating housing from places
of work, results in a limited number of transportation choices and
a worsening of traffic congestion on major roads. Studies show
that the amount of cross-county automobile travel between St. Lucie
and Martin counties continues to increase creating pressure for major,
multi-million dollar construction on US 1.
There are alternatives. Instead of just building new and wider
roads that often become congested after they are built, the region
could make better use of its existing developed areas by encouraging
a more compact, mixed-use development pattern that expands transportation
choices, revitalizes declining areas, and provides a broader range
of housing types and mobility options for all citizens.
The Regional Land Use Study is a multi-agency initiative designed
to explore alternative growth management strategies. The study
includes an inventory of vacant and redevelopable land, and evaluation
of alternative land use and transportation scenarios, and a market
analysis of land uses. A key part of the study is to recommend
changes in local government comprehensive plans to implement the
study findings.
The Regional Land Use Study boundary encompasses the urban service
area of Martin and St. Lucie counties including the municipalities
of Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, St. Lucie Village, Stuart, Jupiter
Island, Sewall’s Point, and Ocean Breeze Park. The Southern
boundary of the study area is south of Cove Road.
Public Involvement
Citizen participation is a vital component in the planning
process for the Regional Land Use Study. Get involved in shaping
the future of the study area by joining the Plan Information Network,
viewing project materials on the Internet, and attending community
workshops. You can share your ideas and concerns about development
and transportation issues and help shape the vision for growth in
your community.
There will be a series of community workshops as well as roundtable
discussions with real estate and development experts to gain insight
into community values, develop and evaluate alternatives, and select
a preferred vision for the study area’s development. A
series of presentations will explain the study purpose, finings,
analysis results, and recommendations. The study is expected
to be complete by Fall 2001.
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