West Palm Beach city commissioners unanimously gave initial approval Monday night to a new downtown master plan that opens the downtown to taller, denser development, the Palm Beach Post reported Tuesday — the outcome of the hearing we previewed on October 26.
City planners say the plan would permit about 6 million square feet more development than current rules allow, reduce parking requirements by 25%, and require developers who want the extra density to include rent-controlled workforce housing. Commissioners rejected, for now, a push to allow buildings of up to 25 stories along the Flagler Drive waterfront, where the plan caps heights at 15 stories; a separate zoning vote in February could limit the waterfront to five stories.
Why it matters: this is only the first reading. The plan now goes to the state for review, with final approval expected in February, and residents who raised traffic and infrastructure concerns — the city's traffic engineer said Okeechobee Boulevard is already at 98% of capacity — will have that February vote as the next decision point.
