MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — A once-controversial residential-golf course project here took another step forward Sept. 9.The Ranch — a 3,900-acre community in Hobe Sound — is expected to bring 175 single-family homes and two 18-hole golf courses to an area near Southwest Kanner Highway and Southwest Bridge Road."We've just worked really hard to bring a lot of good and benefit to the county both off-site and on," said Ken Bakst, owner of The Ranch, said, following County Commission approval Sept. 9 of Phase ...
MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — A once-controversial residential-golf course project here took another step forward Sept. 9.
The Ranch — a 3,900-acre community in Hobe Sound — is expected to bring 175 single-family homes and two 18-hole golf courses to an area near Southwest Kanner Highway and Southwest Bridge Road.
"We've just worked really hard to bring a lot of good and benefit to the county both off-site and on," said Ken Bakst, owner of The Ranch, said, following County Commission approval Sept. 9 of Phase I.
Phase I is about 1,842 acres and includes the golf courses, seven golf cottages and an 87,000-square-foot clubhouse. Phase I is located south of Kanner Highway and Bridge Road.
Controversy and community benefits
Bakst has already restored the Banner Lake watershed in Hobe Sound, plans to help renovate the golf course at South Fork High School and donate at least 20 acres at The Ranch for use by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
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Bakst declined to say when construction would start and how much the entire project would cost. The Ranch previously was known as Colusa Creek Ranch, where cattle ranching took place and a commercial landscape nursery was located.
The project's initial approval was controversial because it's proposed for outside the primary urban-services boundary, where county services are provided most efficiently and would mean the loss of open space. Martin County residents protested plans for the project when it went before the County Commission for initial approval in December 2023.
But 500 acres will be maintained as agricultural land and Bakst is also planning to protect a heron rookery — a communal nesting place for herons — at The Ranch.
Fire-safety concerns
Before the vote, Commissioner Eileen Vargas had concerns about fire safety. Was the developer paying to build and staff a fire station nearby, Vargas asked.
The closest fire station is about 4½ miles away.
"There is a fire-prevention review" in the staff review process, said Tyson Waters, an attorney for Bakst. County staff determined this complied, he said.
No one from the public spoke against the project.
"I think this is a historic opportunity for us," said Commission Vice Chair Edward Ciampi, who lauded the project as "remarkable." The commission vote was unanimous.
Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at [email protected] and at 720-288-6882.