WPB Historic Zoning In Progress

On June 6th the West Palm Beach Planning and Historic Board held a joint workshop to discuss "Mc Mansions" - large homes being built in the city, either by teardowns or additions on existing homes. The joint committee recommended that a six month Zoning In Progress be placed on all construction and building additions to homes in the historic neighborhoods. The City Commission plans to have the first reading on this issue June 19th.

The Zoning In Progress would reduce the size that a home can be built by up to 55% of what is currently allowed. The ordinance would apply to historic homes and noncontributing structures located in historic neighborhoods.

Due to the current market, any new restrictions on real estate, especially a Zoning In Progress, will have a devastating effect. A Zoning In Progress damages the economy, erodes property rights and prevents redevelopment. Many of West Palm's older homes do not fit the lifestyle of today's families. The restriction on home size harms neighborhoods and the quality of life of West Palm Beach families.

RAPB is contacting Commissioners to request a 60 day delay in adoption of the Zoning In Progress in order to give residents and industry time to work with City staff on possible solutions. Establishing a taskforce to address this issue in a comprehensive manner is a much better method then instituting another Zoning In Progress.

We need your help! Please take a moment to e-mail your City Commissioner and Mayor and express your concern about their possible actions. Use our "call-to-action" system to automatically generate an e-mail to your Commissioner - it will take less than 1 minute!

Contact Dionna Brahs at dbrahs@rapb.com (561) 585-4544 ext 25 if you have any questions.

Posted by Donald Urschalitz P.A. at June 12, 2006 05:46 PM