Proposed apartment development in Palm City met by jeers during neighborhood advisory meeting

Lina Ruiz, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·2 min read

PALM CITY — A developer’s presentation of proposed apartments brought out a packed meeting chamber Monday, filled mostly with opposing residents concerned about safety, traffic and density.

Donald Barnes, of Tequesta-based Jamsz Development Co. and BFT Development, showed the Old Palm City Neighborhood Advisory Committee plans for a 90-unit apartment project he wants to build on the northwest corner of Palm City School Avenue and Southwest Martin Highway.

The development would consist of three three-story buildings on 6 acres,  less than a half-mile from Palm City Elementary School.

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The project would have 12 one-bedroom units, 15 two-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units per building in addition to a 2,600-square-foot clubhouse and pool, according to the presentation.

About 50 people turned out for the meeting, with more than a dozen speakers calling the project unfit for the community, particularly in a location where children walk to school and would encounter more traffic.

Attendees were reminded by staff to wait their turn for public comment, as side conversations and mocking comments disrupted the presentation and dialogue between Barnes and committee members. 

One resident called it "the worst development that I have seen" while another called the project location "bananas."

Palm City resident Jennifer Hulet, who lives in the Danforth subdivision across the street from the property, recently moved back to Martin County to raise her children in a street-safe neighborhood, she said.

Site plans for a proposed 90-unit apartment development on the northwest corner of Palm City School Avenue and Southwest Martin Highway are shown during an Old Palm City Neighborhood Advisory Committee meeting on Aug. 15, 2022.
Site plans for a proposed 90-unit apartment development on the northwest corner of Palm City School Avenue and Southwest Martin Highway are shown during an Old Palm City Neighborhood Advisory Committee meeting on Aug. 15, 2022.

“I would really like to see the Martin County that I grew up in, and this is not it,” Hulet told the committee. “I don’t even recognize this county anymore, and it’s very disappointing.”

County Commissioner Ed Ciampi, who represents Palm City, also spoke during public comment, arguing that Barnes, the developer, missed the mark on what could be welcomed by neighbors.

“That project is a very attractive project, probably somewhere else,” he said.

Plans for the project were submitted to the county within the last week, Barnes told TCPalm. It’s unclear when it would go before the Local Planning Agency and the Martin County Commission.

Additionally, rents are undetermined, Barnes said. When asked by committee member Colleen Pachowicz if the units would be affordable, Barnes said they would be “accessible” for renters such as young professionals.

Barnes had advised the neighboring Oakbrooke Estates homeowners association of his development plans, which changed from townhomes to apartments, he said. Barnes had planned to circle back and gather more community input after the committee meeting.

“I think it’s a spectacular project. I think it would be an asset to the community,” he said.

Lina Ruiz is TCPalm's watchdog reporter for Martin County. You can reach her at lina.ruiz@tcpalm.com, on Twitter @Lina_Ruiz48 or at 321-501-3845

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Proposed apartments by Palm City Elementary prompt safety concerns