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Candidates clash over State Road 7 redevelopment and stalled Tuttle Royale project
Summary
At a Town Crier forum, Adam Miller endorsed mixed-use rezoning for four large parcels on State Road 7 as a means to create walkable communities; Selena Samuels criticized proposed residential density, highlighted traffic and said alternatives (medical, hotel, sports complex) should be considered. They also discussed delays and land‑use concerns at the Tuttle Royale development.
During a Town Crier–moderated forum, redevelopment plans for four large parcels along State Road 7 and the stalled Tuttle Royale development drew extended discussion and clear differences between the candidates for Royal Palm Beach’s Group 1 seat.
Adam Miller said the council relied on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council’s recommendation and supported mixed‑use zoning (residential over retail) to create walkable corridors and reduce vehicle trips. “When you have something like that, you create walkable communities. You, reduce car trips. It will reduce traffic,” he said, and told the audience he moved and voted to pass the rezoning.
Selena Samuels said high-density residential in that corridor would worsen traffic and that residents had expressed frustration. She recommended exploring nonresidential options — medical buildings, offices, hotels or sports complexes — and argued the village can amend proposed plans to reduce residential units per acre and better protect neighborhood compatibility. She also said she voted against variances that would allow smaller unit sizes and opposed paving over a bird sanctuary and burial ground in the Tuttle Royale footprint.
On Tuttle Royale specifically, candidates agreed the long-term vision included a downtown area with restaurants and entertainment, but Samuels noted construction has stalled, ownership changes have occurred and one pod was purchased after bankruptcy moves; Miller said the council must stick to the village plan even when developers encounter setbacks.
Neither candidate represented developer views; no county or developer representative responded at the forum. The discussion focused on zoning choices, traffic impacts and whether the village should permit higher residential densities in corridor parcels that some residents say already experience heavy congestion.
Next steps: voters will decide which approach to prefer on March 10; future council actions — specific ordinances, staff reports and developer applications — will determine whether the corridor’s zoning and the Tuttle Royale project change.
