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Commission initiates Liberty Airport Center plan-text amendment as applicant cites electric-vehicle service opportunity; safety concerns raised
Summary
The commission voted 6-0 to initiate a privately proposed comprehensive-plan text amendment adding an Economic Development Center (EDC) designation at the 68-acre Liberty Airport Center; the applicant said a national electric-vehicle manufacturer is seeking the site, and Commissioner Joel Flores raised safety and fit concerns about EV maintenance operations.
The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to initiate a privately proposed comprehensive-plan text amendment for the Liberty Airport Center that would add an Economic Development Center designation to the property's policy language.
Commissioner Gregg Weiss moved to approve initiation and Vice Mayor Marci Woodward seconded; the motion carried 6-0. Jordan Sperling, representing the applicant, said the request is an initiation only — "there's no final approval, there is no operational approval" — and described the site as a 68-acre center with direct access to Southern Boulevard where the applicant seeks policy clarification, not expansion. Sperling told the board he had been approached by a national electric-vehicle manufacturer that needs a Palm Beach County location for repair, maintenance and support for an online-sales model.
Commissioner Joel Flores said he supports small business but pressed for caution: "This is an electrical vehicle and electrical vehicles operate with these batteries, which if you spoken to any firefighter you know if they ever catch on fire they are extremely hard to shut off." Flores said his concern is life and safety, and while he was willing to initiate the text change, he asked staff and the applicant to ensure the amendment and any subsequent approvals would protect surrounding businesses and residents.
Sara Baxter responded with a pro-business counterpoint, saying locating automotive support can increase local competition and lower costs for consumers. The board did not take any operational approvals; initiation begins a process that will include further staff review, public hearings and retained board discretion.
Why it matters: The initiation would allow county policy language to include an Economic Development Center designation for this industrial/commerce corridor. If advanced through subsequent hearings and approvals, the change could permit uses tied to vehicle preparation, maintenance and support that some commissioners and residents said need careful review because of safety, land-use compatibility and infrastructure implications.
What happens next: Initiation starts a multistep process; staff and the applicant will engage in follow-up analysis and public hearings before any site- or operational-level approvals are considered.
