Written By: Christin Erazo SOUTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND – Seven large yellow signs have popped up along the Indian River Lagoon to notify residents how the waterfront will be used differently next year. Martin County wants to conserve five county-owned properties from Jensen Beach south to Crystal Beach by changing its zoning and land use. Two other properties, River Cove and the Indian River Plantation water treatment plant, could change to recreational use and institutional general use, respectively.
Changing the zoning is the next step the county must take after acquiring those lands, explains Richard Lawton, planner for Martin County’s Growth Management department. Lawton said the lands were bought for conservation with a grant from the Florida Forever program, which helps communities preserve lands and waterfront space.
The five conservation properties were chosen because they were low-lying areas, full of wetlands and tidal, coastal marshes with limited potential for development. “The land will be maintained in its natural state as much as possible,” Lawton said.
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