Up-Zoning of Hatcher Mango Hill

We're not the only citizens constantly challenging bad development projects or those in direct conflict to residents' wishes. The following is a letter from Marilynn Hatcher regarding her situation and an up-zoning on land adjacent to a residential neighborhood. It is coming before the Palm Beach County Commission on January 3rd.

Her letter:

The reason I am writing is because I need to ask you for some help.  Hatcher Mango Hill is being threatened by a proposed HIGH COMMERCIAL USE across the street.  The property there has been zoned as LOW COMMERCIAL for years and that is all right.  That would be a bank or little shoppes . . . . something commercial that would not have a big impact on the neighborhood.

There is a proposal now that they change the zoning to allow a LARGE gas station (24 pumps) with a 5000 sq ft convenience store at the corner of High Ridge Rd and Hypoluxo Rd.  Coming east on the Hypoluxo Rd property from that would also be a drive thru restaurant and a large sit down restaurant.

East of all that a large gas station has ALREADY been approved (where the old Marathon station was that the owner illegally made into a truck stop before).  It was changed in May from LOW COMMERCIAL to HIGH COMMERCIAL without ANY OF THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS BEING NOTIFIED.  We feel it will become a truck stop again as it is the same guy that caused so much trouble before.

We probably can't do anything now about that which is really sad but what they are proposing to put on the rest of that vacant land, we have to FIGHT to get it turned down.  We ONLY HAVE until January 3rd at 9:30 am as it comes before the County Commissioners at that time.

It will have a BIG impact on Hatcher Mango Hill.  The traffic is already so bad that it is difficult to get where you want to go.  During the busy times of the day the traffic backs up on Hypoluxo Road, while waiting to get onto I-95 and work.  On their return in the afternoon it is the same, they are backed up at the traffic light at High Ridge Rd.  My customers and workers tell me that when they leave here for West Palm Beach that they have to drive south to Gateway Blvd and I-95 so they can turn around and head north.  The pollution from all this will definitely affect our grove of organically grown Hatcher mangoes.  I can't believe that the county is even considering this!  From what I hear, the commissioners are approving EVERYTHING because of the economy and the developers are really taking advantage of it.

I wanted to talk to you but I don't seem to have your number.  We only have one week to get the word out.  We feel that if we can get a LOT of people to go the the County Commision meeting, that it will help us to show them that there is a large number of people that are VERY against this AND WE ALL VOTE!  If people can't go to the meeting, it would help us for them to write an email to the commissioners  (svana@pbcgov.org).  She is our commissioner . . . the one that is supposed to be looking out for US . . . but it's best to send a letter to ALL of the commissioners since they all vote yes or no on the project proposal.   It appears that they are in line to approve it and we just can't let that happen!

The property in question is not that deep and all this BACKS UP to a neighborhood.  People will have to listen to the loudspeakers where customers place their orders for instance.  That is set up to be on the BACK of this property and will be in someone's backyard.  The lights and the loudspeakers will make their homes unlivable.  That's JUST NOT RIGHT!!  We have gas stations EVERYWHERE already and certainly do not need more!  Add to that those big 18 wheelers and this area will be shot.

We really need everyone's help.  I know this is not your thing but you know about our grove and I know you would want to do everything you could to save it.  We have been here since the 1940's and blended in well with progress but this is something uncalled for and just plain GREED.

I hope to hear from you soon.  Please let me know of any suggestions you may have and anything you can do to help us.  I plan to walk with a sign and flyers along Hypoluxo Road during the busiest times each day when people are stopped in traffic so they will be aware of what is about to happen.  I am going to send out emails to all of my customers and remove what is on my Home page of the website (hatchermangohill.com) and place all the information I can gather so people can go there to learn about the proposal.  I just don't have much time and that is a real worry!  This is a 24 hour operation they are requesting and it will RUIN THE HIGH RIDGE CORRIDOR and neighborhood.  PLEASE HELP!!!!

Thanks!
Marilynn Hatcher