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Commission denies rezoning request in Square Lake, citing leapfrog development concerns
Summary
The zoning commission voted to deny a rezoning from RE to RT for a 1.67‑acre Preston property, with commissioners saying the request failed orderly development and was an RT 'island' not contiguous with similar zoning; neighbors expressed strong opposition over septic/well reliance and neighborhood character.
Palm Beach County zoning commissioners on Wednesday recommended denial of a rezoning request that would have changed a 1.67‑acre parcel in the Square Lake neighborhood from RE (residential estate) to RT (residential transition).
James Hackett, representing the Preston family, said the rezoning would allow smaller setbacks and give the owner flexibility to subdivide in the future; he noted a history of nearby parcels that had been rezoned or subdivided. Planning staff explained how comp‑plan rounding can produce an entitlement of two units on a 1.67‑acre parcel (policy on fractional remainders), but emphasized that subdivision would require meeting concurrency, water and sewer connection requirements.
More than a dozen residents from Square Lake testified in opposition, citing the neighborhood’s historic 1‑acre lot character, reliance on wells and septic systems, wildlife and safety concerns, and the possibility that rezoning would allow a developer to subdivide and sell smaller lots. “We like the well water. We like it a lot,” one resident said, pressing that the community values its rural character built on larger lots.
Staff clarified that a subdivision — separate from the rezoning vote — would require proof of concurrency and likely connection to county water and sewer systems unless minimum lot sizes of 1 acre were met. Several speakers questioned how a single property owner could secure a sewer connection without broader neighborhood approval; staff and utility representatives said design and connection requirements would be determined through Seacoast Utilities and concurrency review and that the current rezoning vote addresses zoning classification, not subdivision concurrency.
After public comment, a commissioner moved to deny the rezoning on the basis that it did not represent orderly and contiguous development and would constitute leapfrog RT zoning within an RE area. The motion to deny passed.
The commission’s recommendation denying rezoning will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners, which will make the final decision on the application.
