Several residents used public comment at the Oct. 8 Margate City Commission meeting to press officials for limits on new housing and to raise concerns about redevelopment proposals at the former golf course and other properties.

Santo Coritolo told commissioners he wants to preserve the parking area near an Ace Hardware and warned that a proposed development of “300 or 400 apartments” would worsen traffic in the neighborhood. “That store and those stores in that development there have been a big, big, big help to community and residents here,” Coritolo said.

Mandy Ackerman told the commission she opposes more housing in Margate and said the city risks being perceived as a low‑income community. “How many more apartments, condominiums, low income housing are we gonna put Margate?” Ackerman asked. Mindy Lee said she bought her house 25 years ago because Margate felt like a “quaint cozy little town” and urged commissioners to preserve that character.

Gary Wilder, who lives near the golf course, urged a middle ground if the site is redeveloped: reserve a small portion near the clubhouse for entertainment uses such as a mini putt or event space while redeveloping the rest. “If we made some type of a compromise…let’s look at keeping the clubhouse there,” Wilder said.

Commissioners acknowledged concerns and discussed options without taking action. One commissioner said Margate is largely built out and suggested that if development occurs on the golf course the city could consider higher‑end single‑family lots to raise property values rather than dense apartments. City staff noted a planning and zoning meeting on the topic occurred the night before and that more discussion is scheduled at the follow‑up meeting.

No formal votes, land‑use changes or approvals were recorded at the Oct. 8 meeting. Residents and commissioners said they expect the planning and zoning process and subsequent public hearings to determine the scope and design of any redevelopment.