The commission recommended approval Oct. 9 of a proposed amendment to the Martingale Planned Unit Development (PUD) and master plan that increases the project’s residential entitlement from 140 to 190 dwelling units and raises allowable commercial square footage from 100,000 to 225,000 to accommodate second-floor office space and relocated access.

Staff and the applicant explained that the change in the site access plan followed feedback from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), which is likely to restrict turning movements at one existing access and prompted a reconfiguration that places additional commercial uses along U.S. 27 while moving residential toward the interior of the PUD. The applicant said the proposal does not change maximum building heights or previously agreed buffers; the project remains within the site’s commercial future-land-use intensity limits.

Traffic consultant Amber Gartner (Kimley Horn) said an updated traffic study and methodology have been submitted and are under county review; the study identifies required site-access turn lanes, a westbound left-turn lane and an eastbound U-turn lane at a new east access point on U.S. 27. County engineering staff said the project is expected to contribute traffic but that planned widening of Northwest 70th Avenue and other mitigations will address capacity; required improvements identified in the traffic study must be implemented as a condition of approval.

Commissioner Andy Bonner moved to recommend approval with staff conditions; Don Johnson seconded. The motion carried. Staff noted final traffic-review comments remain pending and will be addressed before the Board of County Commissioners considers the amendment.