In a recent city commission meeting, officials discussed significant changes to the land use and zoning designations for a property located at 2751 South Dixie Highway and 501 Montsou Road. The proposed amendments, presented by Shane Broadnix of Urban Design Studio on behalf of Tricera PBP Property Owner, LLC, aim to transform approximately 11.57 acres from General Commercial (GC) to Commercial Plan Development (CPD) and to adjust the future land use designation for part of the site from Commercial to Commercial East (CE).

The proposed development, known as \"The Shops at the Press,\" seeks to incorporate educational facilities, specifically a master's degree program for physician assistants offered by Palm Beach Atlantic University. The university has leased around 18,000 square feet in the existing office building on the site, which is currently undergoing renovations.

A key aspect of the proposal includes a request for a parking waiver, allowing for a reduction of 128 parking spaces. The applicant presented a parking study indicating that the remaining spaces would adequately serve the development's needs. However, concerns were raised by local residents regarding existing parking challenges in the area, particularly in the El Cid neighborhood, which is already experiencing congestion due to commercial activity.

Commissioner Lambert expressed excitement about the educational opportunities the project would bring but emphasized the importance of ensuring sufficient parking to avoid exacerbating current issues. Residents voiced their concerns about the potential impact of reduced parking on their community, urging the commission to consider alternative solutions, such as a more comprehensive parking study or a permit parking program.

The commission unanimously approved the first readings of both ordinances, with plans for a second reading scheduled for September 3, 2024. City staff confirmed that the proposed changes comply with the city's comprehensive plan and zoning regulations. The commission encouraged the applicant to engage with the El Cid neighborhood before the next meeting to address community concerns.