DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) -- G.L. Homes, the increasingly controversial company behind The Bridges, Seven Bridges, Boca Bridges, Lotus, Dakota, the Valencia communities, and more, wants to build another 1,140 homes roughly a mile south of Boynton Beach Boulevard on Lyons Road. The plot -- which is in the Agricultural Reserve -- seems to cross the line between unincorporated Delray Beach and unincorporated Boynton Beach.
G.L., who months ago was denied permission to build another community west of U.S. 441 and Clint Moore Road, is now focused on what's known as the "Whitworth AGR-PUD," according to documents reviewed by BocaNewsNow.com. Commissioners initially gave G.L. Homes permission to build 481 units. The company is now seeking permission to nearly triple that number. Staff members for the Palm Beach County Zoning Board have initially told commissioners that the request should be approved. A vote is expected during Wednesday's meeting at 301 North Olive Avenue, Sixth Floor, in West Palm Beach at 9:30 a.m. Here's the language filed by G.L. Homes, operating as "Boynton Beach Associates By G.L. Homes."
"The proposed application is for the Whitworth AGR-PUD Development. The development was originally approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) on September 29, 2021, for a rezoning to the Agricultural Reserve Planned Unit Development (AGR-PUD) with 277 dwelling units. The BCC approved modifications in January 11, 2023. The request proposes to modify the overall Master Plan by rezoning and adding land area (417.52 acres) and residential units (481 units) for a total of 1,140.03 acres and 1,140 units. In addition, the request includes a Full and Partial Releases of Conservation Easements for previously approved Preserve Parcels that will become part of the Development Area.
The Preliminary Master Plan indicates 9 Residential Pods, 2 Civic Pods, and associated water retention and landscape buffers. The development includes 682.50 acres of Preserve Area and 455 acres of Development Area. Access to the Development Area is from State Road 7 and Lyons Road."
Homeowners and environmental supporters reaching out to BocaNewsNow.com say G.L. Homes needs to stop its decimation of the Agricultural Reserve, an area that was long ago set aside as an agricultural zone that was supposed to be used only for farming and farm-related activities. But G.L. Homes over the past two decades has convinced Palm Beach County Commissioners to let it build in the Ag Reserve -- first between Clint Moore and Atlantic, then between Atlantic and Boynton Beach Boulevard. The company has built approximately ten communities with thousands of homes valued at more than $1M.
It appears the Palm Beach County Zoning Commission, which ultimately reports to the Palm Beach County Commission, is poised to approve the request to build 1,140 new homes. The proposed name of the new community is unknown at this time, G.L. Homes tends to recycle old names into something new. The Bridges evolved into Seven Bridges and Boca Bridges. There are multiple "Valencia" varieties. And no one seems quite sure how Lotus became "Lotus Edge," or what exactly a "Lotus Edge" is. That community is being built on Lyons Road near Glades.
The Palm Beach County Zoning Commission's staff says the plan should be approved with just a few adjustments. What are your thoughts on the plan for more building in the Ag Reserve? Share your comments, below.