Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Thoughts on the Height Referendum

Comment Up
Heights Referendum in Lake Worth - Vote YES on 2

If WHEN it PASSES:
It will send a very strong signal to our elected officials that they need to maintain the small-town character and aesthetic of Lake Worth as we re-develop. At a recent workshop, the P & Z board voted to upzone the Tropical Ridge neighborhood (increase the allowable density of dwelling units). This area is dense enough with the 25' lots. Increasing density is going to exacerbate traffic issues and will definitely have a negative impact on neighborhoods that are single family residential. The Charter Amendment vote will be a powerful deterrent.

If it FAILS:
We will have a developer's free-for-all. There will be no turning back if this amendment fails  It will give the city the green light to develop to any height allowed in the charter (65' east of Dixie and 100' west of Dixie). They will use it as a mandate to increase densities and building heights.


Those in the TRNA neighborhood instigated the Respectful Planning PAC referendum as they were adamant about keeping their neighborhood single-family residential because they knew that this was in their best interests as well as the city's. These are hard-working folks who have a lot of pride in their single family neighborhoods and that is the only special interest they have. Those across the city in various neighborhoods wholeheartedly believed in keeping our downtown small and  helped in the petition process to bring this to ballot. After a right in your face commission obstacle of not allowing it to be voted upon this past November, it now will be on the ballot March 12

Just remember,  some members of the highly politically charged Planning & Zoning board as well as the Historical Resource Preservation Board, and this majority commission are not the final voices in this city--you are!

It's your city. It's your quality of life that is in jeopardy. It is not about a hotel. Do not let those with special interests trick you. Vote YES on March 12.

11 comments:

  1. "as we redevelop". Since you are so in the know politically I'm sure you are aware there hasn't been a new commercial development project in Lake Worth in over 2 years. Where are "we" redeveloping?
    "as we redevelop".
    Man are you obtuse.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's nice to know I'm getting to you, anonymous. Where did you come up with such a big word for such a little person?

    ReplyDelete
  3. did you ever hear of the recession? talk about obtuse. What's it got to do with your only argument, the Gulfstream hotel? hows' that working out?

    ReplyDelete
  4. It sounds like you expected the city of Lake Worth to be the only grand survivor in this country dealing with the economy crunch since the 2009 financial debacle. Better yet, how packed are the bed and breakfast places in town doing?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lynn why don´t you let everyone know what will happen if this does pass. The corridor will be safe but anywhere else in the city will still be under the old guidelines so if a developer wants to go into a neighborhood west of Dixie, and buy a whole block, he will be able to build to 100 feet, and east of Dixie 65 feet.
    What a loss that will make of all those quaint cottages your group is trying to protect.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Why don't you look around at what nearby communities are doing? They are building, employing, re-developing and growing.

    What are places like Lake Worth and Belle Glade doing? We are contracting, trying to stay afloat. Going bankrupt slowly but surely.

    If not for the little shot in the arm that was NSP-2 (which by the way, the BCE didn't want to do) we'd be looking more like Pahokee.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The residential areas will be as safe as the commission allows them to be. Check with Wm Waters on that. Developers want our prime real estate and that is our vibrant low rise downtown.

    As far as the NSP2 goes, it didn't make a dent and only brought more affordable housing. a couple of nice small houses in the hood. :) The grant put out of town people to work and paid good salaries to staff?

    If you are worried about bankruptcy, why not tackle the cost of the PBSO and ask them why we are paying much more per resident than any other city in PB County. Ask why the commission then negotiated a lousy contract. In fact, just about everything they put their hands on was detrimental to our city.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lynn, you keep saying we,we,we but let me ask you this how much do you contribute to the city???=??

    ReplyDelete
  9. Define "contribute."
    Better question, what do you do that is so outstanding and something that we all need to bow down to and thank you profusely?

    ReplyDelete
  10. What have You done that is so great for this City????

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are starting to sound like a broken record.

    What I do, anonymous, is write a blog and keep you straight with the truth and expose corruption.

    ReplyDelete