County to study expanded farmworker housing in Ag Reserve; commissioners back up to 3% and TDR exemption

Palm Beach County commissioners on Wednesday authorized staff to pursue a comprehensive‑plan amendment study that would explore expanded farmworker housing in the Agricultural Reserve, including raising the current statutory allowance (1.5% per state statute) to as much as 3% on qualifying parcels and examining whether those units should be exempt from TDR requirements.

The request originated with the county Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Enhancement Council. Cooperative Extension staff noted the state statute authorizes farmworker housing at up to 1.5% of ag‑class property, which can be limiting for small operations. Farmers told the board that on 5‑ to 6‑acre parcels the 1.5% cap yields only a small amount of housing and urged a 3% allowance or other local changes.

Richard Bowman, a local farmer, asked the board to consider 3% for farmworker quarters on small agricultural parcels and to make clear that the units are for verified farmworkers working on the parcel. Extension staff and several commissioners discussed the difference among farm residents, farmworker quarters and H‑2A/barrack‑style housing in statute and acknowledged enforcement and certification requirements under recently passed state law.

Commissioner Maria Sachs moved and the board approved initiation of the comp‑plan amendment to explore up to 3%, seek stakeholder input, and examine exemptions from TDR obligations. The motion passed 7–0.

Next steps: Staff will work with stakeholders, the Agricultural Enhancement Council, Cooperative Extension and legal advisers to craft options including whether to uncouple farmworker housing from TDR calculations, how to treat preserved and preserved‑area parcels, and how to ensure farmworker housing properly serves agricultural needs rather than general residential uses.