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Planning board recommends six-month moratorium on Lake Drive/Inlet Way coastal permits
Summary
The Palm Beach Shores Local Planning Agency recommended the Town Commission adopt Ordinance O-1-25, imposing a six-month moratorium on new applications and permits for substantial-improvement redevelopment in newly designated AE coastal flood zones along Lake Drive and the south side of Inlet Way to allow staff to update codes to meet FEMA requirements.
The Palm Beach Shores Local Planning Agency on Feb. 26 recommended that the Town Commission adopt Ordinance O-1-25, imposing a six-month moratorium on accepting new applications and issuing permits for redevelopment that qualifies as "substantial improvement" in areas newly mapped as AE coastal flood zones along Lake Drive and the south side of Inlet Way.
Assistant Town Attorney Dylan Brandenburg told the board the moratorium is a companion to an earlier ordinance that added the AE coastal designation and is intended to give staff time to complete a comprehensive review and propose code revisions to meet the Florida Building Code and FEMA flood-zone requirements. "This body was recommending approval of the ordinance, and the Commission has already approved it on first reading and it will be on second reading and adoption for April 28, 2025," Brandenburg said.
The ordinance text states the moratorium will be in effect for a period of six months and directs town staff to undertake a review of existing regulations applicable to flood zones and to propose revisions in accordance with new FEMA requirements. Chairperson Janet Kortenhaus said the board could not override federal floodplain requirements: "unfortunately, they can not build any because the FEMA requirements supersede the town," she told attendees.
The Local Planning Agency voted to recommend the ordinance. Member Kevin Banks moved to recommend approval of Ordinance O-1-25 to the Commission; Member Tony Lembo seconded and the motion passed unanimously by those present. The matter is scheduled for second reading and possible adoption by the Town Commission on April 28, 2025.
