Delray Beach commissioners split on Atlantic Avenue protection; majority directs staff to explore conservation-district option

City staff on Feb. 11 presented a corridor-wide historic resource survey for East Atlantic Avenue and sought commission direction on whether to pursue an Atlantic Avenue historic district, a conservation (heritage) district, targeted Land Development Regulation changes, or no change.

The consultant-staff presentation covered the full corridor from I‑95 to the ocean, identified about 70 properties within the proposed study area and highlighted architectural contributors and parcels already protected by existing local districts such as Old School Square and the Marina Historic District. Staff said 14 of the 70 properties already sit in existing historic districts; the presentation identified 44 contributing properties and said about 34 contributing properties would gain protections they do not now have, depending on final boundaries.

“The avenue is our gem. It must be protected,” Mayor Carney said during opening remarks about the avenue’s character and the need to preserve its scale and charm.

Staff recommendations and options: Development Services Director Anthea Chiodas and planning staff reviewed four primary options: pursue an Atlantic Avenue historic district (local listing and National Register nomination), adopt a conservation (heritage) district tailored to…