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Planning board approves Broadway/Curry Park and reasonable‑accommodation code changes
Summary
The board unanimously recommended two city‑initiated code amendments: CRC 261 clarifying townhouse/frontage rules and allowing Curry Park contributions for operations with a payment schedule, and CRC 262 formalizing reasonable‑accommodation procedures to comply with new Florida law on recovery residences and ADA/FHA accommodations.
The West Palm Beach Planning Board unanimously recommended approval Thursday of two city‑initiated code revisions that clarify development rules and implement state law changes.
Code Revision Case 261 updates the Broadway Mixed Use District and the Currie (Curry) Mixed Use District. Staff said the Broadway edits remove an unintended requirement that would force mid‑block interior setbacks on for‑sale townhouses by clarifying that aggregated lots that become individually owned townhouses need not provide the 5‑foot interior setback. The amendment also clarifies how townhouse front steps may be located in the frontage zone so they do not obstruct the clear pedestrian path.
For the Currie/Curry Mixed Use District, staff proposed language that expands the permissible use of developer contributions tied to height bonuses. Instead of restricting funds to construction of park improvements, the code will allow contributions to be used for operations, management and programming of Curry Park as well as construction. Staff also added a payment schedule: 50% of the contribution at issuance of the first building permit affecting vertical construction and 50% at certificate of occupancy. Staff said Phase 1 of Curry Park is funded and that a Curry Park governance structure is being established (led by the CRA) to manage operations and allocation of funds.
Code Revision Case 262 formalizes a reasonable‑accommodation process to comply with recent Florida statutory changes requiring municipalities to provide formal procedures for FHA/ADA accommodation requests and to permit certain certified recovery residences by right in multifamily structures if they meet state certification rules. Angela Vann told the board the city’s prior informal process will be replaced by a formal application and record process; staff recommended approval because the text meets amendment standards.
Both code revision items drew technical questions about implementation (timing of payments, the governance structure for Curry Park, and visibility/clear path restrictions for townhouse steps). Staff answered that Curry Park funding is earmarked and that a dedicated governing board and staff for the park are being created. The board voted unanimously to recommend both changes to the City Commission.
The items will move to the City Commission for final action.
