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Boynton Beach to explore covenant to restrict development on Nichols Boulevard parcel; staff told to consult Palm Beach County
Summary
Commissioners directed staff to place discussion of a city-owned Nichols Boulevard parcel on a future agenda and to consult Palm Beach County about possible restricted covenants or other mechanisms to limit future development of the tract the city acquired at auction.
Speaker 1 told the commission the city had preserved a parcel on Nichols Boulevard that had been auctioned by the Palm Beach County Housing Authority and that the commission declined a $5 million sale to maintain control of the land. He proposed exploring a restricted covenant to prevent future development and asked whether commissioners would support putting the item on a future agenda for further study.
Commissioners agreed to discuss the option but several cautioned that the parcel is located in county jurisdiction even though the city owns it, so any change of use would require county approvals. Speaker 3 noted practical limits: "I'm kind of like, I can't make a decision on what I would agree to do without having conversations with the county on what they're going to would even entertain any other options." Commissioners raised liability concerns, reporting current conditions described as a 'junkyard' and a homeless encampment; they discussed the possibility of partnering with the county to preserve green space, use deed or covenant restrictions, or transfer responsibility while negotiating protections for habitat or public uses.
The commission directed staff to consult with county officials and to return with options; the item will be scheduled for a future meeting only after staff reports back on county willingness to consider preservation mechanisms.
