Planning board approves Wellington Green 220‑unit multifamily PUD

The Planning & Zoning Adjustment Board recommended approval of a comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning and master plan to allow a 220‑unit multifamily planned unit development on the former public park parcel within the Wellington Green master‑plan area, the board decided at its Jan. 15 meeting.

What the project is: The applicant proposes 220 apartments on the site commonly known as the former 10‑acre Wellington Green park parcel. The plan calls for four six‑story residential buildings, a clubhouse and pool, detached parking garages, 2.11 acres of private recreation (exceeding the 1.7‑acre requirement) and a pedestrian crosswalk tying the site into the Wellington Green retail and pedestrian network. The proposed density is 22 dwelling units per acre, consistent with the requested residential‑H future land‑use change.

Staff findings: Planning staff said the application complies with the comprehensive plan and land‑development regulations and that Palm Beach County traffic review found the project meets county traffic performance standards. Staff also noted that, under the settlement agreement governing the parcel transfer, the applicant will dedicate about 7.2 acres of wetland area to the village to satisfy public recreation and civic acreage requirements; staff submitted an amended condition of approval to reflect dedication rather than a payment in lieu of land.

Design details and deviations: The project’s project standards manual (PSM) seeks several targeted deviations from standard code provisions—examples include a limited balcony encroachment toward Lake Elizabeth, allowance for certain recreation equipment within a front setback area, and reduced landscape buffers on the west and south property lines where the site abuts a district drainage canal and existing utility corridors. The applicant said those reductions respond to site constraints and would be offset by pedestrian amenities, open space and tree preservation.

Public comment and process: No public commenters spoke against the proposal at the hearing. Applicant and staff pledged continued coordination on technical items, including feasibility of the pedestrian connection toward Forest Hill Boulevard and final plat timing consistent with the settlement agreement.

Board action: The board voted to recommend approval of the land‑use amendment, rezoning and master plan (including the PSM) as amended in staff’s conditions. The board instructed staff and the applicant to resolve final technical items before the matter moves to council.

Next steps: The recommendation will be forwarded to the Village Council for final action. The applicant will address staff’s remaining technical conditions, finalize the PSM, and submit required platting and permitting documents.