Riviera Beach council approves land‑use and site plan for new police headquarters despite legal appeal window

The Riviera Beach City Council on June 3 approved a small‑scale land‑use amendment and a related site‑plan resolution clearing the way for a new police headquarters at the Barracuda Bay property on West Blue Heron Boulevard.

City staff summarized the project and legal posture. The city attorney told the council a rehearing motion had been denied and an appellate period remains open for 30 days: "If nothing is filed by July 1st, then we can move forward," the attorney said.

Public commenters urged the council to keep the project at the Barracuda Bay location and warned that moving the project would mean redesigns, more lease costs for the temporary headquarters and potential funding complications. Dr. Julie Boutell, a resident speaker, told council, "By some estimates, that lease is costing taxpayers as much as $700,000 every year," arguing further delay would increase costs and hold up planning that voters previously approved by bond.

Several council members acknowledged reservations about the chosen location and the loss of the aquatic center, but councilors emphasized that voters had approved a bond to build the station and said they did not want to forfeit the allocated $35 million. After discussion, the council approved Ordinance 4284 (land‑use amendment) and then approved the connected site‑plan resolution in a subsequent roll call (unanimous votes recorded). The attorney warned the appellate window could delay construction until after July 1 if an appeal is filed.

Next steps: staff will monitor the appellate docket, coordinate with bond counsel and development services, and return with any procedural or design changes triggered by litigation or bond‑counsel recommendations.