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Planning board backs ordinance clarifying height measurement, adds two‑story limit
Summary
The planning board recommended approval of an ordinance that clarifies how building height is measured in the town’s zoning districts and makes the maximum number of stories two, at the lesser of the dimensional height or two stories.
The Town of Loxahatchee Groves Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval of Ordinance 2025‑07, an amendment to measurement rules for building height in multiple zoning districts that clarifies the controlling standard is the lesser of the dimensional height in the zoning district or two stories. The motion passed unanimously, 5–0.
Town planning staff told the board the amendment was a cleanup measure to reflect an earlier policy decision that the town did not want three‑story buildings even where the numeric height limit (for example, 35 feet) could theoretically accommodate three floors. The ordinance amends height provisions across residential, commercial, institutional, parks and recreation, and conservation districts so that the maximum permitted building elevation will be the lesser of the stated dimensional standard or two stories.
Planning staff and board members discussed urban design concerns unrelated to the height count — including large single‑story facades that achieve the numeric height limit without relief in massing or articulation. Staff said design and rural‑vista guidelines are being considered separately and recommended as next steps; the board signaled informal consensus that future code amendments or guideline updates should address facade articulation and massing so that compliance with numeric height limits does not yield monolithic walls.
The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to Town Council for final adoption.
