City of Stuart

COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 22, 2024---What Is All The Commotion?

What promised to be an overflow crowd in the chamber because of a possible large drug treatment facility locating to a closed assisted living one became just a full house.

The applicant sent an email to the city manager at about 3:30 asking to continue the item to the May 13th meeting. Sheriff Will Snyder has been a vocal opponent and had rallied several hundred followers by stating he would give a presentation in opposition. In his 12 years in office, Snyder has never done this before. 

A sign was posted on the front doors to Stuart City Hall telling people that the item would be continued. The sheriff will postpone his presentation until then. And the overflow crowd will be there for that meeting.

It doesn’t mean there were no speakers in opposition. Many of the ones who did speak were somehow connected to a much smaller Stuart facility, Coastal Detox. While the owners and employees stated they were not really in competition, they felt that the larger facility would pose a danger to the community.

I don’t know if I believe any of that argument since they hired a consultant to head up the campaign against the larger drug treatment operation. And the real issue is whether another facility of large size with clients from all over the U.S. belongs in Stuart? The question must be asked what is in it for Stuart? My answer is not much…if anything.

The commission is involved because the project would need a Land Use change and a change in zoning. It is not an “as right” development and therefore at the commission’s discretion whether to do it or not. It is currently zoned multi-family residential since it was an assisted living facility. 

Putting aside the other business’s campaign to derail the project, the commission must decide whether this is something the community wants or needs. The obvious answer is no. If the use and zoning were already there, I don’t believe the commission would have a choice. This is very different. You could even argue that it would go against the comp plan to change from multi-family.

If this item is heard on May 13th, it probably won’t even have a commissioner offer up a motion to go forward. It would be political suicide to go against the public advice of Sheriff Snyder. If one incident happened in a facility with 160 beds, the commissioners would be held responsible by the citizens.

The applicant needs to be looking for another use. We suggested a use in one of our essays above. One thing is for sure to this resident, this facility should not happen in Stuart.   

CITY COMMISSION APRIL 22, 2024

Development Director Jody Kugler gave a presentation regarding what has been approved in the 1st quarter of 2024.

There have been 2 minor development plan approvals. One is the Kiddie Academy Daycare in the former Construction Journal Building and the other is Silver Loch Studios on Ocean Avenue in the former Burger King which will be a Podcast Studio.

According to the City Manager the development department will be giving an update every month. You can see it here 

The Finance Director gave a midyear budget update. It was quite impressive especially the interest earned for only ½ the year. You can see that presentation here