Developers of the proposed Publix and workforce housing in Tavernier await two more key county approvals before any shovels hit dirt.
Concerns from neighbors adjacent to the property and area residents continue to be heard over traffic, safety and too much development for the property at MM 92.5, oceanside, which is now owned by Blackstone Group Tavernier 925 LLC.
Several items related to the supermarket and workforce housing project went before the Monroe County Planning Commission during a special April 15 meeting at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo. Planning commission members voted 4-0 to approve a variance to relax a county regulation requiring 400 feet in separation between curb cuts on U.S. 1. An application by the developer’s agent, Bart Smith, sought a reduction to 280 feet between the access into the property slated for development and Garden Street where residential homes sit.
In his remarks, Smith said moving the access north or south wouldn’t meet the 400 foot requirement. Without the variance, Smith said, a hardship would be created with essentially no access to the property.
The project seeking to build a 47,240-square-foot Publix supermarket and 2,100-square-foot liquor store, as well as 86 units of workforce housing, will only have one access from U.S. 1 northbound. A turn lane is proposed to allow those traveling north to the grocery store or heading home from a day’s work to move off the two-lane highway and decelerate into the property’s driveway.
Residents taking to the microphone during public comment before the commission’s variance approval lambasted the project. Several expressed concerns over traffic in the area and fears of accidents as a result of the development.
Barbara Froelich delivers mail to residents in Tavernier. She said she runs the risk of getting rear-ended daily by motorists traveling at high speeds around the bend on U.S. 1 near MM 92.5 — and that’s with her turn signal, hazard lights and yellow LED flashers all on.
“That whole area of traffic is dangerous,” she said.
Issues were also brought up on how motorists coming out of the property would navigate everything from vehicles entering via the turn lane, plus two lanes of vehicles traveling north on U.S. 1. There’s also a bike lane.
An outside traffic engineer, not consulted by the county nor the applicant, mentioned the need for a traffic signal at the location. Miles Moss said the proposed development and traffic generated from it would create “hazardous conditions and create accidents.” Moss was brought in by attorney Andy Tobin, who’s been working on behalf of the Tavernier Community Association. The TCA has stated its objections to the commerical development slated for the property.
Chairman Joe Scarpelli agreed with Moss over the need for a traffic light. He also issued concerns in relation to the lack of separation between the bike lane and proposed deceleration lane.
There was also discussion over how trucks traveling south and bringing goods into the Publix supermarket would enter the property from either the median or across the northbound lanes of U.S. 1. Smith said Publix deliveries usually occur during the early hours before the morning rush hour.
Developers are also seeking approval of a major conditional use permit from the planning commission. The item was continued to a May 28 meeting in Marathon. A development agreement must also be approved by the board of county commissioners. Planning commission members recommended the BOCC approve the development agreement, albeit with several conditions including some pocket parks, architectural changes to buildings A1 and A2, a buffer for building E, light mitigation and a review of the ingress and egress for bikes and vehicles.
Public speakers expressed issues with the lack of green space and recreational amenities for local workers and their kids who’d be living in the housing complex. Chris Hoguet, Orange Blossom Road resident and former military officer, said the project should focus more on improving the quality of living.
The Vestcor Companies is developing the workforce housing side of the project. Units ranging from one-bed, one-bathroom to three-bed, two-bathroom would be restricted to those making at least 70% of their income in Monroe County.
Per the development agreement, the dwelling units must be opened up to essential workers in Monroe County 30 days prior to being made available to the rest of the public.
Tobin was the attorney representing Publix in Islamorada when village staff persuaded them to reduce the size of the store. He urged planning commission members to make a similar request to reduce the store’s footprint.
“If you reduce the size, Publix won’t lose any money,” he said. “If you’re going to follow the BOCC’s lead to the fact we need essential workforce housing for teachers and nurses and deputies, then give them a decent place to live. You have the power to do that. You should do that.”
