The City of Stuart Local Planning Agency recommended approval of a rezoning that would change a 0.33-acre parcel at 255 Southwest 6th Street from Urban Waterfront to Urban Highway, clearing the way for a proposed Fairfield Inn-style hotel. The board voted unanimously to approve the rezoning after public comment and discussion about design, stormwater and neighbor outreach.

The development director for the city, Jody Kugler, presented the staff report saying the petition "conforms to the criteria outlined in section 11.01.09 of the Stuart Land Development Code, Florida Statutes, and is consistent with the goals, objectives, and the policies of the City of Stuart comprehensive plan." Kugler told the board the property sits in the downtown redevelopment future land use district and that staff recommended forwarding approval to the City Commission.

Jared Gaylord, who represented developer Polk Street Hotels Inc., described the site as a merging of three lots, noting a zoning discrepancy that left a small southeastern sliver of the combined parcel zoned Urban Waterfront. Gaylord said his client bought the properties in April 2023 and is seeking a consistent Urban Highway designation to simplify redevelopment; he told the board the eastern sliver "is actually currently vacant" and that the rezoning would allow consistent development standards across the unified parcel.

Neighbors urged caution. Julie Siegel, who lives across the creek, told the board the creek runs directly behind about 15 houses and raised concerns about "lighting, in terms of where the dumpsters will go, the sound." She said, "that creek is very tiny and it is literally in our backyard." Terry Johnson, who owns units across Fraser Creek, said he was worried a four‑story building would be inconsistent with nearby buildings and asked the board to consider the visual impact on residents.

City staff and the applicant described mitigation measures for lighting, landscaping and stormwater. Kugler said the city requires photometrics and screening so lighting does not exceed 0 at the property line, and that landscaping along the Fraser Creek frontage would be required to block views of the structure and minimize visibility of the parking area from homes across the creek. She said the applicant was expected to address stormwater on site and that some flooding concerns along Channel Avenue would be addressed by the project's stormwater design.

Board members also discussed how site plans will be reviewed. Kugler explained that under the Land Development Code a minor site plan under 50,000 square feet can be approved administratively by staff; she said the proposed hotel footprint is "right around 49,000" square feet, which would make it eligible for administrative approval if it conforms to code standards. She and the applicant confirmed that a developer could request deviations, in which case the project would return to the boards.

The applicant offered to meet with neighbors. Gaylord said he was "happy to discuss with some of the neighbors to see what their concerns are and if there's some reasonable way that we can address those." Board members requested — as a recommendation, not a condition of rezoning — that the developer hold a neighborhood meeting to present designs and listen to resident concerns before administrative review proceeds.

Board member Strom made the motion to approve the rezoning recommendation to the City Commission; board member Bowles seconded. In roll call the board voted unanimously: Bowles — yes; Peterson — yes; Vogel — yes; Strom — yes; Loreen (chair) — yes; Bromfield — yes.

The Local Planning Agency forwarded the rezoning recommendation to the City Commission; because this action was limited to rezoning, the site plan (and any potential deviations from the code) will be considered in later reviews. Neighbors were advised to contact city staff to request copies of any forthcoming site plan submittals or to schedule the neighborhood meeting the applicant offered.