PGA Station Development Dominates Nov. Council Mtg

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Several development projects were covered during the very long Nov 4 City Council meeting.

PGA Station was viewed by the council (and the developer) as integral to the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay District within the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Resolution 62, 2021 outlined approval of a PUD Amendment to modify the uses on Pods Band C, including a new 8-story, 396-unit multi-family building with a 606-space parking garage on Pod B, modify Building 9 on Pod B, and revise Pod C to include a new 200,000-square-foot, 8-story office building with a separate 998-space parking garage that includes 7,049 square feet of retail space along the north and west facades of the parking garage. The PUD is 30.03 acres, located on the south side of PGA Boulevard, east side of RCA Boulevard, and west side of Alternate A1A. The Council was impressed with fact that 10% of the units proposed within the 396-unit apartment building are proposed to be provided at 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) to meet workforce housing requirements. Staff has been working with the developers for over two years and are pleased with the outcome.  The resolution passed 5:0.

Northlake Square – 7 Eleven – Ordinance 12, 2021 and associate Resolution 58, 2021 passed 5:0. Public Comment was made by resident Ramona Bean, requesting clarification on the level of the EV charging stations (answer: Level 3). Brian Seymour also added that the developer is trying to see if AIPP (art in public places) can be placed on site. They are also waiting on permitting from the county for the planned right turn lane onto the property.

PGA National Resort – Ordinances 13/14, 2021 and associated Resolutions 60/61, 2021 – Council Member Tinsley recused herself from the deliberations due to her husband being a shareholder in WCI – who is doing the landscaping and traffic for the project. Two of the council members live in PGA National (Mayor Litt and Council Member Marciano) and they had slightly differing opinions of the proposed water slide and its impact on the golf course or its necessity. However the Ordinances passed on first reading 4:0.

Panther Pods 13 and 14 – Avenir’s Panther National was discussed in depth at a recent council meeting and on the agenda were Resolutions 55/56, 2021 – site plan approval for for a 27-lot single family lot subdivision on approximately 26.82 acres and for a 52-lot single family lot subdivision on approximately 41 .68 acres. The Council appreciated the clean, modern look proposed and the design book which specifically showed types of homes NOT permitted in the subdivisions. Passed 5:0. The golf course is already under construction and should be completed by the end of the year. A limited number of outside (the club) memberships will be allowed so the course will get some use before the homes come online in 2022.

Also covered at the meeting:

• Weiss School – CubeSat   update- the projects are no longer confined to the Weiss School. As a result of Covid, and the use of video conferencing, there was no need to limit participation to just the school. While the bulk of the participants are in Palm Beach County, students across the country are involved. They have incorporated as a 501C3, are raising their own funds and seeking grants.
• Police Chief Shannon recognized his team as 2021 1st Place Winner of the Florida Traffic Safety Challenge.
• Public Comment was made by Adrianne Pugh (sorry if mispelled) in support of the Proclamation on Family Court Awareness Month, and for the organization on which she is a board member – Families Against Court Travesties.
• Mayor Litt pulled the item highlighting the Proclamation on Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and proposed a new fund with dollars already in the Budget set for sponsorships. She proposed seeding the new “Housing Opportunity Program” with $5K. The fund would pays 1st and last months rent to move individuals from transitional housing into permanent housing. The council approved 5:0.
• City Manager Ferris reminded everyone about the Veterans’ Salute Celebration on Nov 11 at 11am at Veterans Plaza; enjoy a concert featuring the Florida National Guard 13th Army Band which will begin performing at 10am. He also said that the new date for activation of the new Bayhill traffic signal is 11/16.
• City Attorney Lohman gave an update on the continuing trial of the City vs PBC over Mobility Fees, which is underway.