Stuart approves subdivision, supports hotel

By ANA X. CERON
A hotel is in sight for the south end of the city, and a new residential subdivision is in store for the north.

The Stuart City Commission backed both projects Monday night, supporting a proposal for a new four-story hotel on Fischer Street east of U.S. 1 and approving plans for Savanna Place north of the Roosevelt Bridge.

The 83-room hotel is subject to a final vote scheduled for June 26.
"We think if not here, where?" said attorney Terry McCarthy, representing Seacoast Hotels Inc., the partnership behind the proposal.

With Jeff Krauskopf absent, the commission agreed, unanimously endorsing the project.
"We have a shortage of hotels on the Treasure Coast," Commissioner Michael Mortell said.
Although the 2.75-acre parcel has been dubbed the "Hampton Inn" site — after the brand originally eyed for the property — Seacoast President Ram Patel said his group is still looking for an operator. Some of the choices include La Quinta or Country Inn.

"We have a few in mind," Patel said. "We haven't pinpointed" one.
Plans are more final for the city's other new development.

The commission gave its blessing to Savanna Place, a 60-home subdivision planned for eight pine-studded acres south of County Road 707, just east of Wright Boulevard.

The project calls for a mix of single-family homes, duplexes and town houses beside an upland preserve area traversed by a mulched walking trail.

Since Hai Group USA, the project developer, didn't seek any exceptions to the urban code, and its project followed the site's zoning, Monday's go-ahead was a basic approval of the site plan.