At a Jan. 29 meeting in Marathon, the Monroe County Planning Commission advanced the development of 79 affordable workforce housing units and two market-rate units on a 9.25-acre Key Largo property.
Leading the new project, located next to Southcliff Estates at MM 95.3, oceanside, is Gorman & Company LLC. The group has built a 42-unit property for senior citizens in Key Largo. It has also constructed the 36-unit Bluewater community in Tavernier and the 36-unit townhome property in WetNet Villas in Islamorada.
Trent Claybaugh, Florida market president for Gorman, told planning commission members the company plans to construct 40 duplex townhome buildings totaling 81 two- and three-bedroom units. This project will serve families whose households earn less than or equal to 120% of the area median income.
Prospective residents will need to demonstrate that they derive at least 70% of their income as members of the workforce in Monroe County to qualify for tenancy. Since the units acquired by Gorman are early evacuation, residents would be ordered to leave amid a pending hurricane during phase one.
The project also proposes one stand-alone unit, one community building and amenities, including a pool, fitness facility and pickleball court. All units will have structured parking on the ground level and two levels of residential space above.
Claybaugh said all units would be elevated 1 foot above base flood. In addition, he said, the site plan preserves green space in the form of a large courtyard park and large waterfront park on the oceanside.
The project is developed for residential use with no commercial component attached. Claybaugh acknowledged the development will fill a “crucial void in Monroe County housing supply.” Large rental townhomes would be available for families at a wide range of income levels. The project aims to assist those families who are having a hard time accessing comparable homeownership opportunities.
“A three-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Key Largo or Upper Keys are generally going for $700,000 at a minimum, or more,” he said.
The proposed project didn’t go without opposition from neighboring homeowners on Dove Road. McKee Gray said she appreciates the need for workforce housing and is in no way against development of the site. But she urged the commission to require the developer to shift the units from nearby single-family homes on Dove Road to the south side of the property, next to Southcliff Estates. She also said no residents on Dove Road received notice of the project.
“Placing higher density units next to established single-family residences is incompatible with the existing neighborhood character and will have long-term impacts on general quality of life,” she said.
Luke Krenik said his backyard borders the north side of the property slated for development. He said he’s opposed to the project, arguing that it goes against the neighborhood’s character and would affect local wildlife on the property.
“The property also falls under critical habitat for 27 threatened and endangered species,” he said.
Claybaugh said he would meet with nearby homeowners on Dove Road to address their concerns.
The planning commission’s decision can be appealed to the board of county commissioners.
Gorman & Company said the property is in the design phase. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2026 and finish in mid-2028.
