Downtown Takes Center Stage at Council – but Avenir Close Behind
The bulk of the PBG August City Council meeting was spent reviewing the plans for Downtown Palm Beach Gardens (spanning Ordinances 6/7, 2021 and Resolutions 41/42, 2021), all of which passed 5:0. Richard Slifer, of The Landmark and on its board, made public comment stating that Shopcore (the developer) had excellent communications with the community. He also expressed concerns about future traffic impacts and possible height issues should the remaining buildings be altered. Both the Palm Beach Post in their article and Joel Englehardt in his OnGardens post covered the discussions and plans in detail.
The other major development project discussed on Thursday (via Resolutions 43/44 2021) was the site plans for Panther National Golf Course and Community in Avenir. The site will feature 218 estate homes on sites ranging from 1/3, 1/2 to 1 acre, along with a Nicklaus designed 18 hole golf course, training facilities with a 9-hole par 3 golf course, club house all with a contemporary look. The site is located adjacent to the reserve area. Both resolutions passed 5:0. Panther National’s website can be found here.
Also in the meeting:
Mayor Litt, at the request of Council Member Marciano, briefly adjourned the meeting so that the City’s youth soccer teams could be honored outside (due to Covid restrictions)
Public Comment was made by the following PBG residents
- Ramona Bean – honored to be appointed to the Palm Beach TPA Citizens’ Advisory Committee (asked by District 1 Commissioner Marino)
- Ernest Damiani – expressed concern about being cited for having a boat in his front yard/driveway and inability for him and others in similar situations to place their vessels behind their well-kept residences. Current code doesn’t even allow for a barrier to be placed around the vessel. He asked for the Council to reconsider. City Manager Ferris said that the current ordinance was passed in 2000 and while many residents were grand-fathered at the time, it is an issue that could be revisited. Mayor Litt requested that it be brought up in a future Council Meeting.
- Joshua Hawthorne discussed a past interaction with the PBG Police, and Mayor Litt’s response was that this was not a Council issue but one to be taken up with the City Manager/staff. Mr. Ferris replied that Mr. Hawthorne will be provided with the public records he requested as well as a complaint form.
August 5The Consent Agenda passed 5:0, along with the Women’s Equality Day proclamation that Vice Mayor Reed had pulled to discuss separately.
City Manager Report: PBGYY was hosting the under 10 and under 12 Cal Ripkin World Series in the Gardens which was bringing in 1200 people from around the country, and filling over 550 local hotel rooms from August 6-14.
Other business:
- Ordinance 9, 2021 regarding amending Chapter 66 with updates to the Business Tax due to state changes – first reading – 5:0
- Resolution 32, 2021 – annual CDBG Action Plan – passed 5:0
- Council discussion on how they should discuss as a body bringing recognition and awards to the Council and consistency in the writing of letters. Vice Mayor Reed suggested to City Attorney Lohman that confetti and balloon use on city grounds be added to the styrofoam/styrene ordinance.