City Council Approves a New Residential Development

October 6, 2018

Much of the Council’s agenda for the evening consisted of 2nd reading and adoption of procedural rezoning ordinances and associated resolutions for areas annexed last year: Carlton Oaks, Osprey Isles, Star of David Cemetery and Northlake CLF. These all passed 5:0. Also passing without comment was the Carl’s Plaza voluntary annexation.

Council Member Lane pulled Resolution 66, 2018 from the Consent Agenda regarding the delegation of authority for City Manager Ferris and City Attorney Max Lohman to negotiate a settlement with Sears. See Sears: Palm Beach Gardens Pay Our $2.1 Million Legal Bill.   Lane wanted to ensure that the amount of such settlement would not be subject to a confidentiality agreement, given that it concerns potentially a large amount of taxpayer funds. He was assured that any settlement would be public.

October 4th

The Council also passed on first reading, Ordinance 19, 2018, which staff recommended as new policy regarding memorials and monuments on city owned property. Natalie Crowley – director of Planning and Zoning, suggested that Lake Catherine Park, already a passive park, would be ideal for such memorials, and any such monuments would have to go through a rigorous process to be approved. All on Council were supportive of the proposal.

Most of the public in the audience were there for Ordinance 22, 2018 – 2nd reading and adoption of Bonnette Hunt Club PUD Site Plan approval. Concerned citizens from the adjoining Mirabella voiced privacy issues, as well as issues with security, flooding and traffic. Speaking were Wendy Roth, John Guastella, Doris Noble, Louis Katz, Mark Blaitz (sorry can’t decipher), and Marc Richards. After public comment, Council Member Lane, also a resident of Mirabella, voiced his concern with the 7 significant variances requested for such a small 24 home project. He suggested that 2nd reading and approval be delayed until the berm issues were resolved. Council Member Marciano voiced sensitivity to the issues having experienced a similar one with his first home in the Gardens, but attempted to reassure the residents that the Council wouldn’t permit anything that would hurt the homeowners. Council approved the new subdivision 4:1 with Lane voting No. For more details see the Palm Beach Post article: Gardens Council Approves Homes on Former Bonnett Hunt Club.

Also passing 5:0 were two Alton Town Center resolutions regarding outdoor displays outside the new Publix as well as their Master sign program.

New appointments and re-appointments were made for the Art in Public Places Advisory Board, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board.

Of public interest coming up: