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Planning board recommends approval of private four‑slip dock with waivers at 5400 North Flagler
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Summary
The board unanimously recommended City Commission approval of a Class A special‑use permit for a private 146‑foot dock with four slips at 5400 North Flagler Drive, granting waivers for length, location, height and sanitary pump‑out based on environmental siting in a seagrass gap and supporting staff findings and federal/state approvals.
The West Palm Beach Planning Board on April 21 voted unanimously to recommend that the City Commission approve a Class A special‑use permit for a private accessory dock at 5400 North Flagler Drive and the requested waivers for length, location, height and sanitary sewer pump‑out.
Gunster planner John Roach presented the application, saying the proposed dock would be approximately 146 feet long with a 4‑foot walkway and three finger piers to create four slips as an amenity for the approved 97‑unit Upland multifamily development. Roach said the design intentionally locates the dock in a natural gap in seagrass (about 7,900 square feet absent of seagrass) to avoid dredging and minimize impacts. “This is strictly an accessory dock to the Upland Residential Development… It is only for residents,” Roach said.
The applicant requested four waivers from the city’s dock standards — for overall length, location relative to the middle third of property, railing height and required sanitary pump‑out facilities — noting that the longer alignment avoids dredging, accommodates slips and minimizes environmental disturbance. The applicant proposed a cable‑style transparent railing to limit visual obstruction and allow sight lines for navigation; final railing details will be resolved in construction drawings.
Staff presented the planning analysis and recommended approval with conditions. The planner said the property comprises about 3.01 acres (including submerged lands), that South Florida Water Management District review determined no ERP was required for this dock, and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued authorization for the structure; staff found the waiver requests consistent with the code’s criteria to avoid dredging and protect resources.
Board members questioned who may use the slips; staff and the applicant confirmed slips will be restricted to residents of the development and managed by the association, with no commercial leasing and no live‑aboards. One board member said the siting “makes so much environmental sense” given the seagrass gap and the limited number of slips.
A motion recommending approval with the conditions in the 04/17/2026 staff report carried unanimously. The recommendation advances the dock permit and waiver requests to the City Commission for final action.
