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I am bringing the attached charter amendment regarding building height to the commission for consideration as New Business item12B at the June 19th regular meeting and requesting that it be placed on the November ballot.
I believe that it is the right of citizens to have a voice in land use issues and redevelopment in their community.
Our community has consistently affirmed that the needed redevelopment in the designated downtown area be compatible with the existing historic character and human scale that exists now.
There continues to be strong sentiment in the community for a maximum building height of 35ʼ in the downtown area. The additional 10ʼ of building height from F Street to the bridge will allow for transit oriented development to prepare for the new train station downtown, a parking structure and additional retail tax revenue from a third or fourth floor. To address resident concerns regarding buildings that exceed the proposed heights, the ballot language includes a provision protecting existing buildings.
Because economic development is crucial to creating a vibrant, sustainable future for Lake Worth, the charter amendment I am proposing balances the need for economic development with the communityʼs desire to preserve our unique, seaside community.
Our charter amendment complements other beach communities that Iʼve researched that have passed charter amendments in recent years to maintain their character while creating jobs, growing tourism and preserving their culture and historic ambiance.
I hope the commission will agree that it is the right of the citizens to chart the course of their community and vote quickly and unanimously to put this amendment on the November ballot.
Please attend the meeting if you are able or email your Commissioners and Mayor to let them know how you feel.
Commissioner District 4
Suzanne Mulvehill
This leaves more than enough room for healthy,sane growth.It allows for both hotels and a parking structure,which we desperately need in Lake Worth.This should appeal to most people in the city. Radicals on both side of the growth issue might have a problem with it-Too much height,not enough height.I hope that we can put this well balanced plan for Lake Worth's future growth on the ballot. Katie Mcgiveron
ReplyDeleteWe the Citizens-tax and Commission salary payers, have spent more than one million dollars to
ReplyDeletedetermine the Will of the Citizens of Lake Worth, vis a' vis, heigth limits of our City. Citizens-Loyal Commission members have thusfar respected this.
The new crop(always with with one or two disloyal to L.W.members)
was not here when a professional Urban Development, Landuse Engineering co. conducted a survey in our City,for over one year, which resulted in the present Land use Development Regulations(LDR) for
Lake Worth, to preserve its economic value as a Historic Beach resort,never realized by Commissions prior to that research!Those Commissions, never respected the City.L.W.CRA gave $1.2 million of our tax money to Lucerne's Developer ,of Wellington Mall Family wealth.They stole 110 public parking spaces from the agreemnt to build that odious incompatible concrete box, with 13 violations.
The present L.D.R. respects what our predecessors left us to live in and enjoy.Only uncouth greasy,alcoholic? creatures would disrespect the Will of all Lake Worth Citizens and vote for changes according to their total lack of Urban Development expertise, and probably the kickbacks in financial or political form.
They do not pay our taxes or support us, an must keep in mind their total lack of knowledge in that field.
It will show the extent of competence and respect of the present Commission crop.
ReplyDeleteTime has proven, and still does, that what our predecessors left us, attracts more residents and tourists than South Palm Beach, a condo graveyard.
Commissioner of District 4, S.Mulvehill,thank you for your display of loyalty to the well being and sustainability of our City,Lake Worth,which holds the wellfare
ReplyDelete(not the illegal aliens' kind)
of all legitimate Citizens.
All this about height restrictions needs to be addresses with care and balance. We cannot put it all in a nice box or rule. Some tall is good and needed, we need to stop making all these silly rules, laws, restrictions, and limitations, they are not healthy, will be broken anyway, do by case by case and in balance. I hate all these stupid laws made by man for man that create limits and restrictions and often times are not equal or just for all. It is all about balance!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else wonder why this Charter amendment is being proposed now? Work on the LDRs has been going on for a year and nothing was said about a Charter amendment. There was a meeting at the golf course with the City Commission, P&Z, and HRPB where heights in all the areas of the City were discussed. Nothing was said there about amending the Charter. Then Mr. Waters was proceeding with a ZIP and nothing was said then. Once the ZIP was stopped to work on the Comp Plan first, the comments were about stopping the ZIP, not a Charter amendment.
ReplyDeleteI am in favor of the residents of Lake Worth having a say in the plan for our city, but this amendment should have been proposed before now. We have had at least two elections where this could have been on the ballot. And what does this mean for the Comp Plan and LDRs that were supposed to be done by September?
Afraid I disagree with you anonymous above. We need specific guidelines in our zoning codes, our Comp Plan, etc. so that developers know exactlty what they are allowed to do in Lake Worth. If not, you will continue to have the corruption of the past from several years back. A case by case basis would bring law suits and all sorts of problems.
ReplyDeleteBalance is good and that is what this "retired" Planning & Zoning Board was accomplishing. And that is what Commissioner Mulvehill is brining forward for our downtown.
It is coming forward now because this commission is derailing all the work that the P&Z has done even going so far as to stop the zoning in progress. Bornstein was told to stop it. He did. Why do you think this happened?
ReplyDeleteIt's coming forward now because the commission majority is not abiding by the agreement reached by the three boards in January meeting.
ReplyDeleteWhen there are commissioners on the dais who say one thing and do another, the only way the public can "lay down the law" is through the charter or an election. Building heights are not directly addressed in clear language at election time. Politicians use phrases like "economic development" so that they don't have to say "65 foot buildings downtown".
I support Mulvehill's proposal. She is, and always has been, willing to listen to her constituents. What's there to be afraid of? Let the people vote. We're not stupid, are we?
"Why do you think this happened?
ReplyDeleteBecause the comp plan is a mess. The plan as it is makes many of our structures non-conforming and the LDR's just do not work. Best thing that could happen would to turn it back to the new P&Z with planners on board and fix it. This Commission doesn't understand it, just like past commissions. Let professionals do it right, it will save time and money in the long run
First, what's the wording of the proposed charter amendment?
ReplyDeleteSecond, why not just refer back to the charter amendment that we all voted for 20 years ago. Look at all the 10 story buildings built west of Dixie after THAT fiasco!
Third, does the proposed Charter amendment automatically rescind the previous one? Specifically?
What is this about F Street and the Bridge? What bridge? Transit oriented development is around transit hubs and proposed transit hubs.
Ballot language please....
Keep it the same height in the language from A Street to Golfview on Lake and Lucerne (all of this is the downtown corridor) 45ft seems reasonable, and less north or south in the residential areas, only 2-3 stories.
ReplyDeleteto anon at 3 17 this is nothing more than a political ploy to bring up a smoke screen to make the residence of Lake Worth forget about her past screw ups.......
ReplyDeleteName the screw-ups, anonymous. Give me just one!
ReplyDeleteHow about "We will not destroy the casino building, the tenants will remain thru construction?"
ReplyDelete