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City approves Broadway Mixed Use District rewrite to encourage denser, walkable redevelopment
Summary
The commission unanimously approved two city-initiated ordinances to consolidate Broadway Mixed Use building types and add new development standards, including a higher maximum height in limited locations and new alley language; staff and GL Homes worked to preserve Broadway frontage intensity.
The West Palm Beach City Commission on March 17 voted unanimously to approve city-initiated zoning changes designed to promote redevelopment along the Broadway corridor.
Anna Maria Abont, assistant director of Development Services, summarized the two related ordinances: a rezoning that consolidates Broadway Mixed Use District building types and a text amendment to the zoning and land development regulations that establishes new development standards for the Broadway Mixed Use District. Abont framed the changes as part of a strategy to create an "urban pedestrian friendly corridor with mixed uses and workforce housing."
Why it matters: the two ordinances revise local zoning to encourage higher-density, mixed-use development along Broadway while retaining standards intended to protect adjoining neighborhoods and the public realm.
Key details: - The rezoning ordinance (Ordinance 51 21-24) consolidates Broadway Mixed Use District Building Type 1 and Building Type 2 into a single Broadway Mixed Use District. The ordinance covers roughly 43.9 acres along Broadway, as recited in the staff packet. - The text amendment (Ordinance 51 22-24) revises Chapter 94 (zoning and land development regulations) to add BMOD definitions and to restate development standards for the Broadway Mixed Use District; the package amends sections 94-4, 94-209, 94-219, 94-220 and deletes section 94-221. - As part of the second-reading changes staff described a negotiated adjustment after a private developer (GL Homes) approached the city: GL Homes had proposed single-family houses close to Broadway; staff and GL Homes agreed to substitute townhouse product facing Broadway and to limit single-family placement so none would be built within 75 feet of the Broadway frontage. - Staff also raised a narrow maximum-height adjustment discussed with GL Homes: the base zoning maximum height was increased from 40 feet to 45 feet to accommodate three-story townhome and mixed-use products in certain locations. Abont said the change is intended to allow flexibility without undermining corridor goals. - Staff added language to recognize creation of new alleys, clarified a decorative architectural elements provision, and made other code housekeeping updates.
Public comment: Michael Zaff, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, offered the chamber's support and said the changes would spur economic development in the North End.
The commission approved both Ordinance 51 21-24 (rezoning) and Ordinance 51 22-24 (text amendment) on second reading by unanimous vote. Staff said notices were mailed and the changes meet the code standards required under section 94-32.
Next steps: the ordinances take effect per standard code timelines; staff will monitor implementation and evaluate the Broadway Mixed Use District's performance alongside the city's ongoing update of the housing master plan.
