The purpose of this meeting was to present the final Downtown Master Plan (DMP) to the DAC (Downtown Action Committee), which is composed of local experts in architecture, real estate, urban planning, and related fields. The DAC is expected to vote on whether to approve the plan in June. The DAC is highly influential because it advises the City Commission on development proposals.
Notable changes to the DMP include:
- The 400 block between Trinity Place and Datura Street is now set for a maximum height of 25 stories. In prior meetings, both the 300 and 400 blocks were scheduled for a maximum of 15 stories.
- The new DMP calls for a 25% reduction in the minimum parking spaces that new condos and office buildings must provide. This change appears to reflect developer pressure and the DMP designer’s prediction that future downtown residents may be less likely to own cars, relying instead on autonomous vehicles, electric bikes, and scooters.
The second item was particularly controversial. DAC member Michael Bakst expressed concern about a lack of interior parking spaces and delivery/contractor spaces inside buildings, which could force more vehicles onto downtown streets already congested with delivery traffic. County Commissioner and mayoral candidate Greg Weiss suggested the need for a new traffic study before approving the DMP.
The City Commission is expected to vote on the DMP on July 6.
This meeting began with Mayor James announcing a pause in the “Your Waterfront Your Way” plan following public outcry over previously undisclosed waterfront planning involving Related Ross.
To summarize: unbeknownst to the public, the mayor asked Related Ross to provide a design and multi-million-dollar donation for waterfront changes. The owners of Bradley’s felt pressured to accept an offer from the city to move, which they rejected and later shared with the Palm Beach Post.
The mayor spent several minutes explaining his side of the story and criticizing the owners of Bradley’s, as well as what he described as “one-sided” reporting by the Palm Beach Post. Downtown residents were further alarmed by the plan’s design to reroute Flagler Drive traffic so that it would run along the west side of the Meyer Amphitheatre, among other changes.
The mayor stated that all commissioners, aside from Steve Sylvester, had been shown the new plan some time ago. Commissioner Fox emphasized the importance of reviewing the city’s mobility study before considering the new waterfront plan. Commissioner Sylvester reported resident objections and said the public feels excluded from waterfront and Woodlawn Cemetery planning discussions. Commissioner Ward stated that city government had “missed the mark” in communicating with the public about the waterfront plans.
We at the DNA are pleased that the mayor has declared a pause, and we look forward to seeing the new plan and ensuring residents have an opportunity to provide input. We will keep you posted on future meetings.