18 March 2008 The "Core Group" of the Lake Worth Road Communities
Coalition, met, yesterday, with District 6 County Commissioner Jess
Santamaria, Palm Beach County Planning Director Lorenzo Aghemo,
and Erin Fitzhugh at the Commissioner's office in downtown West Palm Beach.
It was the coalitions' intent to
dispel any idea of approval of the - subject 38 acres - being rezoned to
"Commercial High Density" i.e. a "Big Block" shopping center.
Points addressed:
-
Increased traffic and its insurant
effects on our affected communities,
-
Empty Shopping Centers (The
Albertson's at Lyons & Lantana Roads) one example,
-
Environmental issues, especially
effects on our precious aquifer
-
Proximity to Schools, Woodland
Middle School, Discovery Key Elementary, and the new School to be built
in our area,
-
SR7, with it’s commercialization, is
more ideal for this kind of project. There is land available and it is 8
lanes vs. Lake Worth Road’s 6 lanes,
-
There are almost all the “Big Box”
stores located within a five mile radius, and in some cases more than
one such as Target, Wal-Mart and Home Depot,
It was suggested that if we are
successful in blocking this project, the landowner, will undoubtedly
come back with another idea for a commercial use of the land.
It was presented to the "Core Group"
that there is an additional 400 acres of land adjacent to the subject
property who are also opposing the "Big Box" concept.
The owners of that property are
proposing an “Employment Center” concept which would entail
rezoning to Multiple Use Planned Development (MUPD).
It is suspected that should that
rezoning take place, and be approved,
the
land owners of the 38 acres would probably join in with them in their
efforts.
There is a planned meeting, 28 March
2008, with the Zoning Commission reference this issue, however some
County officials believe the developer may ask for another postponement
until 11 April 2008.
There is a firm commitment, at this
point, for the developer to be before the entire County Commission on 28
April 2008 to plea his case.
The hour and a half meeting ended
with the Commissioner, suggesting that we put together a package of
'bullet pointed' negatives that we foresee, attach it to a petition
signed by all of our constituents and circulate it among the other
commissioners and staff.
(Editorial comment: It behooves
us to stay current with one another, and share any and all statements,
innuendo, rumor, or any other snippets of information to which we
may become privy with our fellow members of the coalition. If you
so desire we are capable of putting up a "Comments From The Community
Page" on this website, for information swapping and consideration.
Please Advise by contacting us, via
email, here.)
15 March 2008
Jerry Bank, Lake Worth Road Communities Coalition leader, received a call from a Steve Graham of Land Design South. Graham
says his firm represents Sheldon Rubin, a land owner south of the 39
acres. He said Rubin is opposed to the application and wants the County
to do a “Comprehensive Plan” of the area.
He (Graham) said they would like to meet with
Summer Chase representatives. Jerry Bank told him "we have a
coalition of Lake Worth Road Communities and he (Graham) would have to meet with
all of us". He (Graham) said he would like to meet with us after our meeting
Monday with Jess Santamaria. Mr. Bank says "I think we need to
hear what they (Graham and Rubin) have to say."
(The date and time
of the meeting will be firmed up and posted
on this page )
