[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6062722,"mediaKeyId","3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45","parentId",3275862,"title","Commission approves first reading to change commercial solid-waste franchise fees from volume to revenue percentage","audioSeconds",284,"startMs",1701000,"endMs",1985000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45&start=1701&end=1985","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45/thumbnail_1701000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6062722/West-Palm-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Commission-approves-first-reading-to-change-commercial-solid-waste-franchise-fees-from-volume-to-revenue-percentage","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062722-e7dbdd56cc89b94b73efc8604ae1893c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193860&Signature=j5hULttRmAWEopj9CZz17qMe-6QWI-9XdTvM6ZsdRszP4W4FQrqZQwFBgL8JxstVMcfUhcpMP1RELtXJRw5AUar9NeqazTtwmW7yFuk2QqR~uLunDFVm5GoIVCzige57Tf-yq5VXC1L6HEqxsWn~R5BYumnaK5jPljyf9mVbBddX6rad~YhdxPOC-3ZwPzq2fKoYFHZheSKlpDM9-vSZmLeJ5SqJboJulTrL4caMctkiuDSgl2ISYm8fg2vR03kYsUE8UU0DAx-TXYhRTmo3nIAHfSeVd66lekYJ8kV4wc3izQMwDxm1XudhbcQldPIamJhnFrfK3OlyWWEYQW4Kxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Palm Beach, FL","date","2025-05-13T01:35:47Z","article","The West Palm Beach City Commission approved on first reading an ordinance to change fees charged to commercial solid-waste franchise holders from a volume-based structure to a revenue-based structure and to update franchise regulations.

The ordinance (No. 5133-25) would replace the current annual fee of $12,500 plus $1.00 per cubic yard with a requirement that franchise holders remit 10% of monthly gross revenue they collect from city customers. The change, proposed by the Public Works Department and supported by an independent consultant study, is intended to improve auditability and align the city’s franchise fee with practices used by comparable municipalities.

Leon Pinder, the city’s Public Works director, told commissioners the ordinance applies only to large commercial collection franchises (collections over 10 cubic yards) and does not change residential or small-business city-provided services. \"The ordinance before you today does not apply to or impact residential or mom and pop small businesses,\" Pinder said. He explained the city had seven commercial franchise holders and that the current volume-based fee had been unchanged for 19 years.

Pinder cited a consultant report completed in April 2025 (Raftelus Financial Consultants) that recommended switching to a revenue-based fee, improving reporting requirements, and increasing bond requirements from $12,500 to $50,000. Under the proposal, haulers would provide certified annual reports (audited or CPA-certified) and the revenue-based fee range would place the city at the low end of comparable municipalities (10%–25% typical range).

Assistant City Administrator Jose Luis Rodriguez told commissioners that haulers that responded to outreach preferred the revenue-based formula because it simplifies accounting and is easier to certify to the city. Rodriguez said the city reached five of the seven franchise holders and those five reported no objection to moving to the new formula.

If the commission adopts the ordinance at second reading, staff said it will work with franchise holders to amend agreements and the new fee would take effect Oct. 1, 2025. Staff recommended approval on first reading and scheduling a second reading for May 27, 2025. The motion to approve first reading carried unanimously.

The ordinance also proposes clarifying franchise application procedures, requires annual certified reports, and would raise bond levels to protect the city and provide additional financial assurance.

The presentation and Q&A emphasized that the change is targeted at large commercial haulers and is not intended to increase costs for residents or small businesses; commissioners asked about timing and outreach before the vote. The commission scheduled second reading for May 27, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The West Palm Beach City Commission approved on first reading Ordinance No. 5133-25 to change commercial solid-waste franchise fees from a volume-based per-cubic-yard charge to a revenue-based charge equal to 10% of a hauler’s monthly gross revenue from city customers.","taxTitle","West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",4250,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062717,"Commission approves first reading to adopt downtown mobility fee; aims to keep county-collected impact funds in downtown",1054,2374000,3428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45&start=2374&end=3428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45/thumbnail_2374000.jpg","/articles/6062717/West-Palm-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Commission-approves-first-reading-to-adopt-downtown-mobility-fee-aims-to-keep-county-collected-impact-funds-in-downtown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062717-11f004b355ca9b2ec8e4c6b01ae75677/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193860&Signature=IOCZJeBgumqUMYMaGSIdlWWIloWdVi6waAGncEZYd7NIcf1Ru8r7mPFnaD62BHG1rhcQ6CVlLMVyL4B-7HO~TWHIqxxwfJ~ct8nw3iyrxU17mXTPNVTwUDATsH6ZrmtWbUMfZUAiW0SQbtOFCcPOURtvJV9O~bpNoD1aY31VDVNl6lemE8yXKJC~scXfnFITCrXeg~4t5rwOtecmX30eoSfEC5E2vPKVl9hJtAimDc~F3vQK5TLFkUVsmtrbIVKjCODfX3q4v2e18RdHURFLuh-oZlxoMMkRSdB4EjIUguT2N8hrxXlqCzm2Y0yweQQMf7Jsr3xDiUlY1DUgAjqx~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Palm Beach City Commission approved on first reading an ordinance to create a downtown mobility fee and a mobility-fee benefit district intended to replace the Palm Beach County road impact fee for development inside a defined downtown assessment area.

Staff and consultants said the mobility fee — authorized under recent state law changes — is a one-time development fee charged at the time of a building permit to mitigate the transportation impacts of new development and to fund projects that prioritize walking, biking, transit and streetscape improvements in downtown West Palm Beach.

Jessica Keller, the city’s mobility and transportation manager, introduced the item and said multiple departments had worked on the proposal. Consultant Jonathan Paul of New Urban Concepts and Louis Rotundo (who advised on House Bill 479 implementation) described the technical basis and legal context. Paul said the mobility fee is designed to fund transit, bicycle lanes, sidewalk gap closures, streetscape and corridor studies that county road fees typically cannot target to the downtown core.

\"This fee is a one-time fee paid by new development into the downtown. And the city would not be the first in the state of Florida,\" Jonathan Paul said, listing other Florida municipalities that have adopted mobility fees.

The proposal would create an assessment district roughly a little over one square mile bounded by Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard to the north, Okeechobee Boulevard to the south, Clear Lake to the west and the Intracoastal to the east; a slightly larger benefit district would allow funds to be spent on projects immediately outside the assessment area that serve downtown users.

Paul said the county currently collects roadway impact fees on downtown development and may spend those fees elsewhere within the county’s District 2 (roughly 10 square miles), and staff estimates $20 million–$30 million in fees have been collected over the last 10–15 years from development in downtown without those funds being spent in downtown. Over a 20‑year period, Paul said the county fee receipts tied to downtown development could total about $50 million. The mobility plan identifies about $97 million in multimodal projects needed to implement the downtown mobility plan.

Staff presented a sample fee schedule: a single-family unit in the downtown area would pay about $5,600 under the city schedule, compared with the county’s $5,597 fee for the same unit; other uses vary, in some cases lower and in some cases higher than current county charges depending on trip generation and trip length assumptions.

City staff recommended approval on first reading to adopt the downtown mobility fee technical report, to create Chapter 86 Article 7 in the code (mobility fee) and to proceed with a comprehensive plan amendment and interlocal negotiations with Palm Beach County. Staff said if the ordinance moves forward, the city would begin negotiations with the county and could begin collecting mobility fees for downtown in about 90 days (staff said that timetable would correspond to Aug. 10 in their schedule); the item also requires a separate comprehensive-plan amendment and interlocal agreement with the county to fully substitute the county fee.

Commissioners and staff discussed the negotiations with the county and a built-in 10% discount that would apply if an interlocal is not in place by Oct. 1; assistant city administrator Armando Fana said the city expected good‑faith negotiations but noted the county’s participation is required for a full replacement of the county fee. The motion to approve Ordinance No. 5130-25 on first reading carried unanimously.","The West Palm Beach City Commission approved on first reading Ordinance No. 5130-25 to adopt a downtown mobility fee and to establish a mobility-fee benefit district that would replace the county road impact fee for development in the defined downtown assessment area.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062708,"Commission approves first reading of Flagler House rezoning; neighbors sharply divided over 18-story plan and waivers",3144,5523000,8667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45&start=5523&end=8667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45/thumbnail_5523000.jpg","/articles/6062708/West-Palm-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Commission-approves-first-reading-of-Flagler-House-rezoning-neighbors-sharply-divided-over-18-story-plan-and-waivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062708-dc9b135c001dab4a86e7d5fc5055fe53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193860&Signature=Qwjot7efF6n7dg2SvobARnxc4689xtVjsxYc~9jzb~0Jg5nBzPwcMwC8GaRAUPthe4LWqqr1uZF0~oTHNYbR0iwxzlk1P597mBi6NyM2hHXgGDTzXvOd2LZf66pAFoWFgC~2Vmw38b1-HsLMffncu3DhJzXIjP3gM7h90nXh9rwBkjGxbBBcm0HfFq0s0bAHpFzRqtnw6f~06Mj8yT7N285oU6zTsvuLYuboTQW7Xrt1mBwqaSHh3ku8B3UOyVd5hD1ym55bRMr2sobL41ercaj8nq94VgRlS4-Ee40yPdUkmdTBLYUKU0hydKC58ItoxOorHr0QyNwfFr1DGcwxFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Palm Beach City Commission approved on first reading a rezoning request (Ordinance No. 5128-25) to change 3705 South Flagler Drive from multifamily high‑density residential (MF-32) to a Residential Planned Development (RPD) for the proposed Flagler House project. The proposal drew lengthy public comment both for and against and included an applicant presentation, staff report and a large number of written letters entered into the record.

Applicant and attorney Harvey Oyer described a proposed redevelopment that would replace the existing 1962 condominium with a new development of 39 units (the applicant said the site could support 46 units by-right but the proposal keeps density at 39). The project team said the design places the tower and associated parking podium well back from Flagler Drive and includes public-access and pedestrian benefits: a paved public access pathway to Flagler Drive, a pedestrian plaza with human and dog water stations, a paver crosswalk, an on-site pet-grooming business restricted to that use, an internalized service/ loading loop to keep service vehicles off Washington Road, and a construction management agreement requiring off‑site worker parking and controlled deliveries.

The applicant offered additional voluntary community benefits during the hearing: up to $100,000 for new playground equipment at George Petty Park, a $100,000 contribution to fund three unfunded stormwater outfall valves intended to reduce king‑tide backflow onto Flagler Drive, and a $10,000 per year contribution for five years to Florida Audubon for maintenance of nearby Audubon Sanctuary Islands. The team also said the developer commits to building to a national green building standard (Gold) and to internalize the parking and service functions.

The proposal requests seven waivers of zoning standards, including reduced site-area minimum for an RPD (city code requires 10 acres; proposal is 1.42 acres), side‑setback/height‑related waivers to permit an 18‑story tower (applicant characterized this as modest compared with other Flagler towers farther south), two access points on Flagler and Washington (city code generally allows one), separation requirements for driveways, exterior stairs and retaining-wall heights triggered by the site’s topography. The applicant argued the RPD form yields design and view‑shed benefits compared with building the site under MF‑32 code with a larger continuous mass at lower height.

Staff and the planning board recommended approval; staff entered into the record a set of letters of support (staff noted 180 letters of support and 11 objections recorded with planning) and supplemental materials submitted by the applicant. Staff also summarized landscaping and mitigation numbers the applicant provided (applicant said the project would exceed many landscape and tree‑count requirements and provide substantial open space and native planting percentages).

Traffic and consultant testimony presented to the commission said the proposed project would generate a relatively limited number of trips compared with other land uses and that stacking and queuing for valet or parking decks were accommodated in the design. The applicant said the building had FAA review/approval for the proposed height and would be required to have aviation obstruction lighting if needed.

Public comment was large and sharply divided: dozens of speakers and more than 200 written contacts were submitted. Supporters included many downtown business and developer representatives, some residents and the Chamber of Commerce; supporters cited redevelopment, increased tax revenue and the applicant’s community benefits. Opponents included nearby condominium neighbors, nearby single‑family residents and local neighborhood associations who said the building’s height, massing and reduced setbacks are out of scale with the adjacent historic neighborhoods, raise precedent concerns and would cast shadows and block existing views.

Commissioners discussed design, precedent and the applicant’s public benefits. The motion to approve Ordinance No. 5128-25 (rezoning to RPD) and schedule the second reading for May 27, 2025 passed unanimously at first reading. Staff said the resolution with development regulations (Resolution No. 96-25) would be discussed as part of the subsequent step and that conditions offered by the applicant could be incorporated into the development order or resolution at the commission’s discretion.","The City Commission approved on first reading a rezoning request to allow redevelopment of 3705 South Flagler Drive as the Flagler House Residential Planned Development, a proposed 39‑unit project that includes an 18‑story tower and seven waivers of city zoning requirements.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062712,"Commission approves rezoning for Palm Beach County community services complex at 4200 North Australian Avenue",321,4252000,4573000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45&start=4252&end=4573","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45/thumbnail_4252000.jpg","/articles/6062712/West-Palm-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Commission-approves-rezoning-for-Palm-Beach-County-community-services-complex-at-4200-North-Australian-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062712-0d94328b04b4f87e998f8d63e10ff8a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193860&Signature=VnDqt4bkOjhElmmlG7gJz6OZJogFg~RL9rXoqjoHHWuNX3Akb-TsVSdS7TCzvPSRXK3XM3U6uMHkK1HZbt~AUY1gSPKpaVGfOINIIzh0H4uwv2O2jsDr0NcJySK8bJHYNNVVjPjPzt~ZcYlMCDnvRDWoOsu2mZYttdp5jhhAitGjW1SSA7sG6365HYIbTJ6WimNjv1nAd3ACxeQl4NZvfSOmf01ihGUpZkynaKmv1bLACyVtmer2Rb3YICO9rw~MrzjIIVoZHesO3KMslOlcyZHS3EZSZpziO3kM7Gb1ut~X5T7s7WH-6UewgEZ~jW39HwHRkgnetrGKqhMubpq72w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Palm Beach City Commission approved on second reading a rezoning to create the Palm Beach County Community Service Planned Development (CSPD) for approximately 41.3 acres at 4200 North Australian Avenue, and adopted development regulations for phase 1.

Alexis Anglia, planner for the record, said the filing included limited clerical changes since first reading and that site plans were removed from the public packet in compliance with public-facility-protection provisions of Florida statute. The ordinance rezones the parcel from Community Service (CS) to Community Service Planned Development (CSPD) and the companion resolution establishes site and landscape plans and building elevations for phase 1.

The applicant, representing Palm Beach County’s facilities and operations departments, sought the rezoning and the commission found the request consistent with the comprehensive plan and city zoning standards. The motion to approve Ordinance No. 5127-25 at second reading and to approve Resolution No. 4094-25 passed unanimously. The resolution establishes the development regulations for phase 1 of the Palm Beach County CSPD at 4200 North Australian Avenue.

Commissioners discussed neighborhood outreach; Commissioner Ward specifically asked the county representative to coordinate community engagement about lighting and traffic as the project advances.

The ordinance declares the zoning-map amendment consistent with the comprehensive plan and revises the city’s zoning map accordingly; the resolution sets development standards and conditions to guide construction of phase 1.

Staff recorded no additional changes to the substance of the application since first reading, and the planning board had recommended approval.

The approvals allow county facilities work to proceed under the adopted development regulations and the county and city to coordinate next steps on design and neighborhood engagement.","The commission approved on second reading Ordinance No. 5127-25 rezoning approximately 41.3 acres at 4200 North Australian Avenue from community service (CS) to community service planned development (CSPD) and adopted Resolution No. 4094-25 establishing development regulations for phase 1 of the complex.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062726,"Commission approves transfer and $350,000 for rehab of 815 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard to local sickle cell foundation",132,1514000,1646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45&start=1514&end=1646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275862-e3ed619dc68645dd9f4f6528b6f65a45/thumbnail_1514000.jpg","/articles/6062726/West-Palm-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Commission-approves-transfer-and-350000-for-rehab-of-815-Palm-Beach-Lakes-Boulevard-to-local-sickle-cell-foundation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062726-3f6620922b75b8ef837ea59b5b707325/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193860&Signature=LVxHSUSyHKfZl6~vwt0GLsq0CZctKFmiZqlb-FA76Y1N5DSHiQcRnbetRAMzKJMwgq6-6Bs00rC2uOyr6Qx8bnlZ7UXKSbPNOtJpvTLFIuVkS07tBC6LRza6NqoeY6aeVObs8JsYEWLZIlGe-76RUDmFMX5FxVkxk7wxdxzF-pcAijvyZ1R6ktKs1SEBDcWI0k-b1r-Oxm1y1bdyh3Gksx4YVquCsdKubjhogpnsbGEwulpENO2G-YLcGGi~6W1hatxQkOhwQewszV9uz5KqPiih7s0H9rZgXP-UvkNLlESEOrJLHQ61UYpYuNqzlbdthtqbNVAJbKkS3CV9Zrva8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance and companion resolution to convey city-owned property at 815 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard to the Sickle Cell Foundation of the Palm Beaches and to move $350,000 from the city’s real estate management fund reserves toward rehabilitating the building.

The move, approved during a public hearing and second reading, intends to transfer ownership to the nonprofit and provide seed funding for repairs and rehabilitation. The commission passed Ordinance No. 5129-25 and Resolution No. 109-25F on a unanimous vote.

Jennifer Ferriero, the city’s housing and community development director, told the commission the item had been presented previously at the April 28 meeting and that there were no changes to what was proposed. During the meeting Commissioner Warren publicly recused himself from the discussion and vote on the item because he is an employee of the Sickle Cell Foundation; he returned to the dais after the vote.

The ordinance authorizes execution of a conveyance agreement and ancillary documents to effect the transfer. The resolution specifies the budget action to move $350,000 in Real Estate Management Fund reserves to support rehabilitation of the property at 815 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard.

No additional conditions or amendments were placed on the transfer during the vote. The ordinance and resolution passed unanimously.

City staff said they would complete the conveyance documents and move forward with the rehabilitation process in coordination with the foundation.

The commission did not set a separate timetable for completion of rehabilitation during the hearing; funding and conveyance steps were the formal actions recorded at the meeting.","The West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance conveying city-owned property at 815 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard to the Sickle Cell Foundation of the Palm Beaches and a companion resolution to transfer $350,000 from Real Estate Management Fund reserves to support rehabilitation of the site.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves first reading to change commercial solid-waste franchise fees from volume to revenue percentage

Commission approves first reading to adopt downtown mobility fee; aims to keep county-collected impact funds in downtown

Commission approves first reading of Flagler House rezoning; neighbors sharply divided over 18-story plan and waivers

Commission approves rezoning for Palm Beach County community services complex at 4200 North Australian Avenue

Commission approves transfer and $350,000 for rehab of 815 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard to local sickle cell foundation