West Palm Beach Commission approves zoning change for Flagler House development

The City Commission of West Palm Beach convened on May 12, 2025, to discuss several key issues, with the most significant being the approval of a zoning ordinance. The commission unanimously approved Ordinance Number 5128-25, which rezones approximately 1.42 acres located at 3705 South Flagler Drive from multifamily high-density residential (MF-32) to residential plan development (RPD).

This decision was based on a comprehensive application, a staff report, and the recommendation from the planning board, confirming that the request aligns with the city's comprehensive plan and zoning regulations. The new zoning designation, named the Flagler House residential plan development, will establish specific development regulations through a separate resolution.

The motion to approve the ordinance was made by a commission member and received a second before being put to a vote, which resulted in unanimous support from the commission. Following the vote, the commission briefly acknowledged the presence of attendees before moving on to commissioner comments, allowing those who wished to leave the meeting to do so.

This zoning change is expected to facilitate future development in the area, reflecting the city's ongoing efforts to manage land use effectively. The commission will schedule a second reading of the ordinance for May 27, 2025, to finalize the approval process.