Thursday, August 27, 2009
Lake Worth takes back zoning, land-use changes that would have allowed townhouses on Sunset Drive property
Click title for link to PB Post article. An excerpt:
"This is not a solution," said John Lang, one of the partners in Sunset Drive Holdings, whose attorneys said they plan to take legal action against the city. "I can't imagine how you are possibly going to justify your actions to a jury. You are sending a terrible message out to anyone who is considering moving to or investing in Lake Worth."
Lake Worth is about to get more culture
Click title for link to PB Post article - re CRA forgivable loan to Palm Beach County Cultural Council.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A lot happened yesterday...
First the good news: The CRA voted to make a forgivable loan of $700,000 to the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. The Commission chambers were packed with supporter and all were singing praises about the relocation of this group into one of our downtown historic buildings. We will know more about which one specifically within the next few months. This really builds upon our already formidable arts community. Now, we will have the group that "trumpets" the arts and cultural goings-on of Palm Beach County to the entire world right in Lake Worth - a perfect fit. Nice to see lots of familiar faces there last night too. I'm just sorry I wasn't still on the CRA - I would have loved to throw in my vote to add to the unanimous chorus of approval.
Like I said, that was the good news of the day. This is how I spent most of the afternoon. The City Commission had another 1 p.m. daytime meeting that most find difficult to attend. I posted the agenda earlier on here. You can scroll down to the see the contents. My main purpose for attending was to hear and see what the item on the beach was about. As of yesterday morning, the back-up for that item was not available on the website. As it turns out, it may have been. If so, whoever loaded the actual back-up forgot to take out the first sheet that said "Back-up Material Coming." Maybe someone should make a point of checking that from now on.
When I got there, I visited the reception desk (to the left at the
top of the stairs) and asked to see the back-up for the meeting. This is always a handy in-case-of-emergency break glass alternative. And, sure enough, there it was, the back-up memo for the beach item with a cover memo dated August 21 - which would have allowed it to be posted on the website.
So, I took a seat in the chambers and a sparse crowd was there - mostly those interested in the Sunset reversal. Presentations were being made by the engineering team respondents ffor the deep injection well project associated with the reverse osmosis plant. Most interesting quote coming from the dais was Commissioner Jennings saying, "I don't think I'm qualified to make this selection." This was echoed by the Mayor when he said he agreed and recalled feeling the same way with the selection of a City Manager. There we are ladies and gentlemen - the crux of our problem exposed.
After the presentations, the Commission re-ordered the agenda so that the public hearings on the Sunset matter could go first. It was not my intention to sit through that, but I did. I will say this: Forgive them for they know not what they do.
Then on to the beach. Mayor Clemens and Commissioner Lowe had left at this point of the meeting - so the three remaining Commissioners were Jennings, Golden and Mulvehill. What was before them was the final site plan for the beach (posted previously), the final list of public improvements and a summary of where the City is in relation to the original interlocal agreement with the County on the $5 million. The long and short of it is that we are ending up with a 628 space parking lot - restripped with new asphalt, some landscaping. About $2 million of the City's original pledge has "been allocated somewhere else" - this said under the breath of City Manager Stanton. As part of this, decal parking would be relegated to Old Bridge Park - which is a goodly walk from across the street west of A1A.
There was much talk amongst the three how this is just a parking lot that eventually may have shade once the landscaping grows in. The 628 spaces is a firm County requirement, verified in a recent meeting with Palm Beach County representatives, including Commissioner Vana. We have to maintain that number of spaces for 30 years, slightly less than forever according to the three Commissioners. They were very upset about the prospect of additional parking being taken out of the "dune" area (on both sides of the picnic pavilion - see site plan.) City Manager Stanton said something vague about in the future she would find a way to make the Casino building financially viable with decked parking - the only time the building came up in discussion from that side of the dais.
I was called upon last to offer public comment. I pointed out that this meeting had been called to order at 1 p.m. with the title on the agenda of "...Other Public Improvements at the Lake Worth Beach" - which in my mind was confusing as what would make up "other" when they were essentially talking about the entire project. If they really wanted to fill a room with people, call a meeting on the beach and book the auditorium at the High School - I have been at such meetings. Sending on this final product during an afternoon meeting is a way of hiding what is going on. I reminded them that most of the discussion related to this "new" beach project has been done during daytime meetings - to which City Manager Stanton later responded that the Charette was on a Saturday and all the other meetings were just a follow up to that (hmmmmm.) I told them that I was concerned about the scaling back of the project and wondered if the public would think of this as a "renovated" Lake Worth beach - with only new asphalt and a restripped parking lot to show for it. I also reminded them that they have not addressed what will happen to the Casino building and how it will relate to the site. And, if everything proceeds as planned, we will have darker asphalt, parking laid out differently and the same dogeared building staring at us. I wondered if at this point is the project even worth doing? I pointed out that it might be a good idea to contact decal permit holders and let them know this is going to happen, etc. I told them it is looking more and more like the County money is in question.
Immediately, Commissioner Jennings said that the Commission should really put this item on their regular meeting agenda for September 1st. She also wants to get representatives from the County to attend - County Commissioner Vana was mentioned. They want to make a plea to be released from the requirement of providing that number of parking spaces. Commissioner Jennings noted: "This is another example of the County telling us what to do." Really? Mention was also made by City Manager Stanton about the difficulty the County has with other matters regarding Lake Worth and that they might be tiring of that. She urged old-fashioned "one-on-ones" with County Commissioners leading up to their decision to amend the contract for the $5 million.
So that is where the beach project sits right now - new surface parking lots paved by County dollars. This project now ranks about 1 or 2 on the 10 point Visionary Scale.
Like I said, that was the good news of the day. This is how I spent most of the afternoon. The City Commission had another 1 p.m. daytime meeting that most find difficult to attend. I posted the agenda earlier on here. You can scroll down to the see the contents. My main purpose for attending was to hear and see what the item on the beach was about. As of yesterday morning, the back-up for that item was not available on the website. As it turns out, it may have been. If so, whoever loaded the actual back-up forgot to take out the first sheet that said "Back-up Material Coming." Maybe someone should make a point of checking that from now on.
When I got there, I visited the reception desk (to the left at the
top of the stairs) and asked to see the back-up for the meeting. This is always a handy in-case-of-emergency break glass alternative. And, sure enough, there it was, the back-up memo for the beach item with a cover memo dated August 21 - which would have allowed it to be posted on the website.So, I took a seat in the chambers and a sparse crowd was there - mostly those interested in the Sunset reversal. Presentations were being made by the engineering team respondents ffor the deep injection well project associated with the reverse osmosis plant. Most interesting quote coming from the dais was Commissioner Jennings saying, "I don't think I'm qualified to make this selection." This was echoed by the Mayor when he said he agreed and recalled feeling the same way with the selection of a City Manager. There we are ladies and gentlemen - the crux of our problem exposed.
After the presentations, the Commission re-ordered the agenda so that the public hearings on the Sunset matter could go first. It was not my intention to sit through that, but I did. I will say this: Forgive them for they know not what they do.
Then on to the beach. Mayor Clemens and Commissioner Lowe had left at this point of the meeting - so the three remaining Commissioners were Jennings, Golden and Mulvehill. What was before them was the final site plan for the beach (posted previously), the final list of public improvements and a summary of where the City is in relation to the original interlocal agreement with the County on the $5 million. The long and short of it is that we are ending up with a 628 space parking lot - restripped with new asphalt, some landscaping. About $2 million of the City's original pledge has "been allocated somewhere else" - this said under the breath of City Manager Stanton. As part of this, decal parking would be relegated to Old Bridge Park - which is a goodly walk from across the street west of A1A.
There was much talk amongst the three how this is just a parking lot that eventually may have shade once the landscaping grows in. The 628 spaces is a firm County requirement, verified in a recent meeting with Palm Beach County representatives, including Commissioner Vana. We have to maintain that number of spaces for 30 years, slightly less than forever according to the three Commissioners. They were very upset about the prospect of additional parking being taken out of the "dune" area (on both sides of the picnic pavilion - see site plan.) City Manager Stanton said something vague about in the future she would find a way to make the Casino building financially viable with decked parking - the only time the building came up in discussion from that side of the dais.
I was called upon last to offer public comment. I pointed out that this meeting had been called to order at 1 p.m. with the title on the agenda of "...Other Public Improvements at the Lake Worth Beach" - which in my mind was confusing as what would make up "other" when they were essentially talking about the entire project. If they really wanted to fill a room with people, call a meeting on the beach and book the auditorium at the High School - I have been at such meetings. Sending on this final product during an afternoon meeting is a way of hiding what is going on. I reminded them that most of the discussion related to this "new" beach project has been done during daytime meetings - to which City Manager Stanton later responded that the Charette was on a Saturday and all the other meetings were just a follow up to that (hmmmmm.) I told them that I was concerned about the scaling back of the project and wondered if the public would think of this as a "renovated" Lake Worth beach - with only new asphalt and a restripped parking lot to show for it. I also reminded them that they have not addressed what will happen to the Casino building and how it will relate to the site. And, if everything proceeds as planned, we will have darker asphalt, parking laid out differently and the same dogeared building staring at us. I wondered if at this point is the project even worth doing? I pointed out that it might be a good idea to contact decal permit holders and let them know this is going to happen, etc. I told them it is looking more and more like the County money is in question.
Immediately, Commissioner Jennings said that the Commission should really put this item on their regular meeting agenda for September 1st. She also wants to get representatives from the County to attend - County Commissioner Vana was mentioned. They want to make a plea to be released from the requirement of providing that number of parking spaces. Commissioner Jennings noted: "This is another example of the County telling us what to do." Really? Mention was also made by City Manager Stanton about the difficulty the County has with other matters regarding Lake Worth and that they might be tiring of that. She urged old-fashioned "one-on-ones" with County Commissioners leading up to their decision to amend the contract for the $5 million.
So that is where the beach project sits right now - new surface parking lots paved by County dollars. This project now ranks about 1 or 2 on the 10 point Visionary Scale.
TED KENNEDY TRIBUTE VIDEO
From a year ago- presented at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
City Commission's Plan for the Beach
Mark your calendars for the September 1 Commission meeting. More details to come.
Yours truly will be receiving a Plaque of Appreciation today....
"Wes Blackman was appointed to the CRA Board June of 2008 since that time he has helped the CRA oversee construction of the 10th Avenue North Gateway Project. He had also assisted with the development of the Cultural Redevelopment Program, the Bicycle Network Plan and the TCRPC Master Plan. He has written articles for the CRA newsletter and presided as Master of Ceremonies for National Small Business Week. His expertise in planning and business background have proven very valuable in the many discussions and decisions the Board undertakes on a regular basis.In recognition of his time served on the Board, the CRA is proud to present Wes Blackman with a plaque for all his hard work and accomplishments."
Chairman Mark Rickards will also be receiving a Plaque of Appreciation.
Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Wes Blackman for City Commissioner District #3
Today's (8/25) City Commission Meeting
Today's agenda above. I plan on attending to hear and hopefully see what is being proposed as the final version of public improvements for the beach. The packet has been available on line since last week, but still nothing available on the beach item as back-up material. And now it's the actual day of the meeting. I suggest electing people to the City Commission who are dedicated to soliciting constructive public input - especially on major decision items like this one. Members of the current Commission don't seem to hold that as a priority. You can be assured that I will demand it as part of my commitment to open government.And, yet again, another day time meeting...
Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Wes Blackman for City Commissioner District #3
Palm Beach County Centennial and Archaeology Talk
The Palm Beach County Planning Congress hosted a talk at the South Florida Water Management District headquarters yesterday which featured Harvey Oyer and Christian Davenport. Harvey Oyer comes from a long time native Palm Beach County family. He talked about the early formation of Palm Beach County and the early settlements in south Florida. He recited the progression from Mosquito County to the present Palm Beach County as we know it today. Christian Davenport, the County's Archaeologist gave a presentation on the 2007 Lake Okeechobee finds when the lake was at record low levels. The range included pottery and related items from around 200 A.D, to more contemporary tourist history and remnants from the 1920s. It turns out that the lake area was the first economically successful region of the County - catfish was a big money maker. All left their traces in the form of physical remains we can study now to give us clues about how those that came before us lived. Both were eye-opening windows to the past.
Monday, August 24, 2009
A growing dream of urban farming: Financier Hantz wants to plant $30M into vacant lots
Being from Michigan originally, I'm interested in the plight of Detroit. Click title for link to article about establishing large scale farming in a formerly urban area - way beyond chickens in the backyard. Such is the state of decay in the city of Detroit that eventually 5,000 acres could be included. Land prices are running about $3,000 an acre. The first stage will consist of 77 acres - property tax issues remain that currently prevent this use from being feasible.
Not recommending this here, but it is an example of the devolution of former urban land into agriculture. We may some day have suburban development that surrounds agricultural lands - what were once major urban centers of the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Not recommending this here, but it is an example of the devolution of former urban land into agriculture. We may some day have suburban development that surrounds agricultural lands - what were once major urban centers of the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Broken bottle thought to have been used in Lake Worth stabbing
Click title for link to PB Post article. And what was the City Commission doing on Friday night?
Lake Worth bars tour checks: How loud is too loud?
Click title for link to PB Post article. Click here for link to their pictures on line
Man stabbed at Bryant Park in Lake Worth
Man stabbed at Bryant Park in Lake Worth |West Palm Beach News, South Florida Breaking News, Forecast, Video from WPTV
This is not the same incident as the broken bottle stabbing on South F Street. This is one that involved the use of a box cutter to grab someone's wallet at the boat ramp. One of the perpetrators is still at large.
This is not the same incident as the broken bottle stabbing on South F Street. This is one that involved the use of a box cutter to grab someone's wallet at the boat ramp. One of the perpetrators is still at large.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
![Dr. W. H. Cotton’s ode: “Oh, My Lake Worth, Florida!” [circa 1920].](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL75cv6zJQFjX15ojOIIz9AjnbqH4asHJTYSDhnGnYr7rJZRha1NcNTirj2xPcId158vkz5Hw-wXgOfrlztj8Zr8jLFFCfuEN6PyV44ZlpMRmJ68xbtFL9vzxNiG7xDs_HJvm/s1600/LakeWorthPioneers.JPG)
