Zoning commission recommends Nash Trail rezoning and conditional use for 53 townhomes amid neighbor objections over buffers and trees

The Zoning Commission of Palm Beach County voted Sept. 11 to recommend approval of a rezoning and a class A conditional use that would allow a 53‑unit townhome project, called Nash Trail, on roughly 7.57 acres north of Lantana Road and west of Haverhill Road.

The applicant proposed rezoning three lots from Residential Estate (RE) to RS and a class A conditional use to permit 53 fee‑simple townhomes (about 7 dwelling units per acre). Staff found the requests consistent with the MR‑5 future land‑use designation and recommended approval subject to conditions. The commission voted to recommend both the rezoning (item 5a) and the conditional use (item 5b); the conditional‑use recommendation passed with one commissioner recorded as opposed.

Why it matters: the application changes the allowed density from three single‑family homes (one per existing lot under RE) to a townhouse subdivision that neighbors say will alter drainage, privacy and the rural character of adjacent Agricultural/Residential (AR) properties.

Project and staff details: Doug Murray of WGI, speaking for the applicant, said the site plan concentrates homes toward the east side to maximize separation from western neighbors, preserves three tree‑preservation areas and proposes a total of 0.84 acres of recreation and open space. Murray said the plan includes a…