West Palm Beach commission approves zoning changes, small-business rule update, funding and agreements

West Palm Beach — The West Palm Beach City Commission on Feb. 3, 2025, approved a package of ordinances, zoning amendments, resolutions and appropriations, according to the city’s City Center podcast summary.

Among the actions the commission approved were changes to the city code that rename the Office of Small and Minority Business Programs, amend the definition of "small business," and establish required small-business participation with a maximum participation level of 18% for construction and master contracts.

The commission also approved a city-initiated text amendment to Chapter 94 (zoning and land development regulations), Article 17 (affordable and workforce housing), to raise allowed floors in the Broadway Mixed-Use district from three to seven, clarify that 50% bonus units are calculated from the original base zoning, and authorize limited variance and waiver review for floor-area-ratio in local workforce housing projects.

Other approvals included a Class A special-use permit (with a waiver) for a dock and boat lift exceeding 100 feet at 8002 Flagler Court, and a major plan development amendment for 1309 South Flagler Drive that updates development regulations, waivers, plan sheets, and easement and maintenance agreements.

The commission adopted a Complete Streets policy designed to enhance safety for residents and visitors and accepted $56,675 in funds from the West Palm Beach Library Foundation for the Mandel Public Library to continue a full-time licensed social worker and "Be Well at Mandel" programming.

Two companion resolutions were approved related to waterfront docks: the commission approved a consent order with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection regarding waterfront docks and a companion resolution appropriating $5,000 from Visit Palm Beach to pay the settlement.

The commission also accepted $23,513 from state law enforcement forfeiture funds to purchase law-enforcement crime-scene equipment, and approved a utility-work-by-highway-contractor agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for city utility work connected to State Road A1A milling and resurfacing in the Town of Palm Beach. The commission approved a companion resolution to amend the water and sewer renewal-and-replacement fund budget to provide appropriations for utility relocation on South Ocean Boulevard from Ibis Way to Emerald Beach Way.

The City Center podcast did not provide vote tallies, mover/second names, or detailed staff reports for most items; it directs listeners to wpb.org for the complete meeting records and minutes.