JENSEN BEACH — A residential project with 169 units is slated for Northwest Goldenrod Road east of U.S.1. 

The 26-acre gated community is to consist of 105 two-story townhomes and 64 duplex units, records show. 

The project, unanimously approved Tuesday by the Martin County Commission, is part of the larger West Jensen development originally approved in 1989 that reaches from Northwest Jensen Beach Boulevard to the St. Lucie County line with commercial and residential uses.

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Most of the development has been completed, including the Jensen Beach Country Club and Lowe’s Home Improvement along or off the U.S.1 corridor. 

Additionally, the residential community approved on Tuesday is to be located next to a Wspanwspan spannd Chick-fil-A approved by the County Commission in August 2021.

Developer Alberto Micha of Jensen Beach Land Co., Ltd. is to sell the land to Mspanttspanmy Homes, said representative Morris Crady, of Lucido and Associates land planning. 

The townhomes are to range from four to five units per building, Crady said.   

“We’re providing alternative housing types that can benefit people in the area and provide housing for workers that want to live and work in Martin County,” Crady added. 

Commissioner Sarah Heard noted the evolution of land uses and zoning in the area over the past 30 years. Although the community is slated next to commercial projects, it’s better to incorporate both categories rather than to overload the area with multiple fast-food restaurants, for example, she said.  

“Conditions on the ground have changed,” Heard said. “So while this looks like a classic example of really, really terrible planning, I have to believe (medium density) is the best use.” 

The commission approval came with the condition the developer make drainage improvements to the area, as “most people are aware that parts of West Jensen had some flooding issues over the past,” said Deputy Growth Management Director Pete Walden. 

Those issues will be addressed, Walden said. 

Moreover, Commissioner Doug Smith asked staff and the developer to reach out to the owner of the Home Depot plaza south of the property to potentially build a road between both parcels. 

“I would hope that the shopping plaza folks would work with us, and benefit them (while) benefitting their customers,” Smith said.