Zoning Commission Delay

April 6, 2007, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Panel delays any action on plan for 'new town', By Andy Reid.

With Callery-Judge Grove proposing a development that would change the face of western Palm Beach County, even deciding when to vote on the pitch for a "new town" turns into a contentious issue.

A vote by the Zoning Commission on the 10,000-home proposal was delayed Thursday because of the busy schedule of one commissioner, prompting a squabble on the board about when to take up the matter.

The board, which makes recommendations to the County Commission, eventually agreed to have a special meeting at 9 a.m. April 25 for the Callery-Judge proposal. It goes before the County Commission at a special meeting on May 7.

Longtime board member Allen Kaplan said he was "pretty perturbed" that the vote was moved because of fellow Commissioner Sherry Hyman's scheduling conflict on Thursday. Individual board members leave early from meetings all the time without delaying votes, Kaplan said.

"This is a terrible precedent," said Kaplan, who wasn't available on the first alternative proposed. "What is so sacrosanct about this petition?"

Both Kaplan and Hyman said they wanted to be able to weigh in on the development plan, which has raised traffic concerns rallying opposition from residents in The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves as well as city leaders in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and West Palm Beach.

"I don't think you should take this like it was a personal attack," Hyman told Kaplan.

Callery-Judge representatives said they were ready to go forward Thursday, but they would agree to a delay as long as it did not postpone the County Commission vote.

The County Commission in May gave a preliminary endorsement to the plans to transform the 4,000-acre citrus grove, split by Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, into a new town with neighborhoods, shopping centers, a golf course and schools.

Opponents say the development would dump too many people and too much traffic in a part of the county trying to hold on to its rural roots. Supporters say the new town offers jobs, shops and services western residents need.

County officials expect residents to fill up the room at the Zoning Commission meeting on April 25. It will be held at the county governmental center, 301 N. Olive Ave. in downtown West Palm Beach.

Andy Reid can be reached at abreid@sun-sentinel.com or 561-228-5504.

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