MCBOCC OKs Wawa, Aldi, Tractor Supply , hotel at former proposed Costco site in Palm City

MCBOCC OKs Wawa, Aldi, Tractor Supply , hotel at former proposed Costco site in Palm City

Martin County, Fl (treasurecoast.com) -An approved Palm City development will replace the once-proposed Costco site that was withdrawn after 3½ years of scrutiny from residents and county officials. 

County commissioners unanimously approved a master site plan Tuesday for a Wawa gas station, Tractor Supply Company, Aldi grocery store, car wash and undesignated hotel and retail space south of Southwest Martin Highway, between the Florida Turnpike and Southwest High Meadow Avenue.

No residents spoke on the project during public comment. 

The Wawa and Tractor Supply Company are expected to break ground on the undeveloped, 27.5-acre property around July and be completed in about a year, said Brandon Ulmer of Thomas Engineering Group, who is representing the developer.

The Palm Pike Crossing project will be done in four phases. Individual site plans for the other slated businesses are pending approval through the county, he said. 

County Commissioner Ed Ciampi, whose district includes Palm City and the project, referenced Tuesday the controversy behind previous Costco site plans that didn’t come to fruition after failing to pass the county review process on four occasions.

Local opposition also contributed to the abandonment of site plans for the Palm City location, a Costco representative told TCPalm in 2017. A new Costco proposal goes in front of the Stuart Local Planning Agency next Thursday. 

The commission also approved Tuesday reducing the speed limit of Southwest High Meadow Avenue from 55 mph to 45 mph between Southwest Golden Bear Way to Southwest Martin Highway. Moreover, the developer will pay for a second northbound left turn lane to be added to Southwest High Meadow Avenue at Southwest Martin Highway.