Monday, August 17, 2015

[UPDATE: CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH RESPONDS] West Palm Beach examines density allowed by its zoning code.

[UPDATE: The City of West Palm Beach responds to "inaccurate accounts" about their Planning Board meeting tomorrow night. Click here for the city's response. The city contends there is erroneous information in the account below.]

From the group known as Citizens for Thoughtful Growth (CTG).

PLANNING BOARD MEETING 
TUESDAY AUGUST 18, 2015 
6:00pm CITY HALL

Dear Concerned Citizens:

The Planning Board is convening on Tuesday August 18 at 6:00pm for its monthly meeting, but an extremely important topic will be addressed that will affect neighborhoods and areas East of I-95 North from Palm Beach Lakes Blvd to the City Limits and South from Okeechobee Blvd to the spillway. Significant changes are proposed to increase density and decrease Planned Development requirements.

During this meeting, Rick Greene, the Development Services Director for the City of West Palm Beach, will be presenting proposed changes to the Zoning Code. Make no mistake: These changes involve the very issues CTG filed a lawsuit over and are a direct result of our litigation!

Here is a link to Mr. Greene’s presentation to the City Commissioners with some of the proposed changes the City Staff wishes to make to the Zoning Code:

CTG wants to work closely with the City of West Palm Beach in amending the Zoning Code to ensure predictability and objectivity in the approval of all future projects by the City. CTG’s goal is still to have thoughtful growth with an emphasis on protecting and preserving our beautiful waterfront and neighborhoods.

CTG also wants all citizens to be a part of this important conversation. It is imperative that the City host community-wide workshop sessions with interested and concerned citizens to ensure the changes to the Zoning Code consist of changes the citizenry actually supports and understands.

We urge everyone to come to the Planning Board meeting on Tuesday August 18 to hear the presentation, voice your opinion and implore the City to have a productive and constructive dialogue with the citizens to better determine how best to amend the Zoning Code. This presentation to the Planning Board is a great first step, but we NEED more public discourse before changes can be made to our Zoning Code that will affect every citizen in our great City.

CTG

Note: This is the group that filed the lawsuit to stop the Chapel-by-the-Lake high-rise condominium project.