Planning board approves $287 million Delray Beach water‑treatment plant upgrades

The Delray Beach Planning & Zoning Board voted to approve a city‑initiated Level 3 site plan to renovate the municipal water treatment facility at 200 Southwest 6th Street.

Clara Sol Solak, architect for the project, told the board the upgrades are “focused on reliability, regulatory compliance, and long term service to residents.” Solak said the plan keeps the site as a municipal water treatment facility while replacing aging infrastructure and reducing off‑site hauling of residual lime.

Senior planner Julian Gudanek told the board staff found the proposal consistent with the comprehensive plan and the city’s land‑development regulations, noting the project remains within the existing plant footprint and requires no variances for setbacks or height.

During questioning board members pressed the applicant on cost, operational capacity and safety systems. An applicant representative described the total project cost as $287,000,000 and said the design uses membrane‑based treatment sized for the city’s projected needs while allowing future expansion if warranted. On fire protection, the architect said both buildings are fully sprinklered except for dedicated electrical rooms, which rely on two‑hour fire‑rated walls per NFPA guidance.

Board members raised landscaping and tree removal; the applicant said 36 trees will remain, 39 will be removed and 23 relocated, and the perimeter plan includes an eight‑foot precast wall and native buffering to screen the site from adjacent residences. The applicant also confirmed parking and circulation comply with code, and the site will provide bicycle racks and 61 spaces, exceeding the 55 required.

The board moved to approve the Level 3 site plan, including architectural elevations and landscape plan, finding the request consistent with the land‑development regulations and the comprehensive plan. The motion passed by roll call.