The Palm Beach County Planning Commission approved a privately initiated future-land-use amendment to reclassify a 14.99-acre parcel on State Road 715 from High Residential (8 units per acre) to Commercial Recreation with an underlying 8 units-per-acre designation. Staff recommended approval with conditions; the planning commission approved the amendment with one dissenting vote.

Applicant Kevin McGinley described the request as seasonal recreational accommodation for RV users and told commissioners, "It's a pretty straightforward request." Staff described the Commercial Recreation (CR) future land use as a designation created in the 1989 comprehensive plan to accommodate large-scale public and private recreation uses and said CR is used countywide at sites such as the South Florida Fairgrounds, Lion Country Safari, RV parks and golf courses. Sarah Bishop of the Planning Division told commissioners staff had reviewed the request for consistency with applicable comprehensive plan policies and recommended approval with conditions to ensure compatibility.

Under staff and applicant presentations, the site is in the Glades Urban-Suburban tier and is adjacent to Paul Reardon Park and Lake Okeechobee access points. If the applicant pursues CRE zoning following adoption of the land-use amendment, the Unified Land Development Code would limit the site to a maximum of 6 RV sites per acre or about 89 sites on 14.99 acres, subject to site-plan standards and the conditions of approval. Staff proposed conditions limiting permitted uses to recreational vehicle spaces, campsites and accessory dwelling units allowed in the CR future land use, and a condition to cap maximum vehicle trips in order to meet long-range traffic standards in comprehensive plan policy 3.5(d); staff said the applicant agreed to all conditions.

Commissioners asked about utilities, operations and timing. Staff and the applicant said sewer service is required for the proposed use. Selena Samuels asked whether the site would be privately managed; the applicant said Nova Life is a contract purchaser and that the operation would use a national development and management firm. Kara Farris asked about on-site facilities; staff and the applicant said typical amenities include restrooms, showers and a small clubhouse or store and that the park likely will be used seasonally with higher occupancy in the winter months. When asked about timeline, the applicant said zoning entitlements could take time and estimated they were likely "a couple years out" from opening.

Sarah Bishop told commissioners the amendment was consistent with comprehensive plan policies and recommended approval with conditions; the commission adopted the amendment with conditions intended to limit uses to those compatible with the CR designation and to control traffic impacts. The change does not itself rezone the property; the applicant must pursue zoning (CRE zoning) and site-plan approvals before development could proceed.

Clarifying details from the hearing: the parcel area is 14.99 acres; CRE zoning could allow up to 6 RV spaces per acre (about 89 spaces total) under the ULDC; sewer connection is required; the applicant indicated the park would be primarily seasonal and the ULDC limits consecutive stays in some camping contexts (generally not long-term residential). The commission-approved conditions include limits on uses and maximum trips to address traffic policy 3.5(d).