Zoning commission backs Loxahatchee Estates overlay language for ULDC consistency

The Palm Beach County Zoning Commission recommended approval of a Unified Land Development Code revision to create a Loxahatchee Estates overlay district, a staff presenter said during the commission's morning session.

Alex Byray, zoning-division staff, told the commission the revisions implement companion changes to the county comprehensive plan and are required "pursuant to" the Florida statutes that govern consistency between local plan revisions and land development regulations. Byray said the overlay would set development regulations and access requirements to ensure residential lots in the acreage have comparable sizes and characteristics and would permit certain government service uses as part of a public hearing application.

The revisions, Byray said, are intended to make the code consistent with comprehensive plan language and to provide a clear regulatory framework when the overlay is applied. He told the commission the planning application for future land use atlas and map series amendments and a zoning application for a Class A conditional use would be contingent on the code and plan language being aligned.

Commissioner Caliendo moved to recommend approval of the ULDC revision for Loxahatchee Estates; Commissioner Reketer seconded the motion. The commission voted in favor. The motion covered both the recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners and the commission's finding of consistency with the comprehensive plan.

The commission did not record a roll-call vote tally in the public discussion; the chair announced the motion passed.

The commission will forward its recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for final action under county procedures. Staff said it would be available to answer further questions as the item proceeds to the Board.