PROJECT IN AGRICULTURAL RESERVE APPROVED, FOR NOW, BY PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMISSION.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners voted just after 7 p.m. to APPROVE a plan by G.L. Homes to build 1200 homes, workforce housing, and provide land for Jewish educational centers on a tract of farm land the company owns north of Clint Moore Road along U.S. 441. The vote was 7 to 2, with Commissioner Maria Sachs, who represents Southwest Palm Beach County, voting against the measure.
The land is in what’s known as the “Agricultural Reserve,” a carveout of farm land in Palm Beach County that was supposed to be “reserved” for agricultural use. But G.L. Homes has repeatedly asked for — and received — permission to build communities in the area. The company’s Bridges, Boca Bridges, Seven Bridges, Lotus, Dakota, and Valencia developments have lured thousands and thousands of homeowners to homes largely valued at more than $1M. The influx of residents has led to overcrowding in area public schools and massive traffic problems on Lyons Road. G.L. Homes has not offered to build schools to mitigate the overcrowding.
In an hours-long meeting on Wednesday, scores of Palm Beach County residents spoke out against the plan, saying development in the Ag Reserve, without infrastructure, must be stopped. But G.L. summoned a handful of homeowners to sing the praises of the company. Among the homeowners: one man who said he lived in a one-bedroom apartment in New York City before purchasing a home from G.L.,and moved to Palm Beach County only to realize that he wanted more park land. The new G.L. development will include several acres set aside for park use.
In what some call horse trading, G.L. is also providing land for a water reservoir in another part of the county — something those opposed to the plan say Palm Beach County should handle on its own, without the assistance of a private builder who seemingly purchased undesirable land to be used in a trade.
Several members of an area Chabad spoke about the importance of G.L. Homes providing free land to Jewish organizations, so members could walk from their homes to a synagogue during the Sabbath.
While a major decision, this is not the final decision to be made on the project. County staffers will now work with G.L. and County Commissioner representatives to finalize language for the project to move forward. Another vote is expected several months from now.
