Avenir Passes Key Milestone

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December 9, 2015

The Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board (PZAB) voted 7:0 to recommend approval of the 3 Avenir items on the agenda.  Sarah Peters of the Palm Beach Post summarized the meeting here.

The Council chambers were quite full.  Many in the audience supporting the massive project sported Avenir ‘badges’. Most of those making public comment however were opposed to the project on traffic, density and environmental grounds; it was interesting also that most of those in opposition were NOT residents of Palm Beach Gardens. Sustainable Palm Beach County, Everglades Law Center, 1000 Friends of Florida, the NCNC and residents from the Acreage were among the groups represented.  In all we counted 17 folks speaking against approval as presented, 5 for and 1 raising concerns but not taking a position. The Economic Council of Palm Beach County provided their support via a letter, and the North Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce also endorsed the project.  Additionally 23 comment cards were submitted into the record but cards were not read allowed so it is unclear what positions were held.

Also interesting to note in the history of the tract, were the 7500 residential units envisioned for the property during the 2003 Scripps/Mecca Farms proposal.   It was clear that staff had invested a huge amount of time working with the owner/developers and the Avenir project has evolved significantly over the two years that it has been active.   Major changes and concessions have been made even since the last public workshop, and the project achieved Traffic Concurrency approval from both the City of Palm Beach Gardens as well as Palm Beach County.

SAVE THE DATE, WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6 AT 7PM FOR A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING SPECIFICALLY ON AVENIR

The Regular City Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 7th.