Planning board approves AutoZone site plan with condition to preserve alley access

The Lake Worth Beach Planning & Zoning Board on Feb. 5 approved a major site plan for a proposed 6,000‑square‑foot AutoZone at the south side of 5th Avenue South between South Dixie Highway and South H Street, with approval conditioned on documentation that preserves rear access to adjacent lots.

Scott Rodriguez of the planning staff summarized the project and its review, saying, “The item before you is a request for consideration of a major site plan to construct with a single destination retail use… an automotive parts retail store with associated parking lot infrastructure,” and recommended approval with conditions. Staff also explained the applicant requested a street‑wall waiver and that the project exceeds the threshold that requires major‑site‑plan review.

Board members and nearby property owners pressed the applicant and staff about the effect of a proposed right‑of‑way abandonment on rear access. A board member said the approval should be “contingent on the approval of the abandonment and that the abandonment would also provide for ingress and egress to those adjacent properties.” The applicant’s representative, Max Kaplan of Thomas Engineering, said the team could accommodate access: “If there’s any concerns about the right of way, I agree with what he was saying about providing a paid opening for access to the South… I think we can make it work.”

The board’s approval directs that the minor site plan modification required as a condition include an access solution and that the abandonment process include a recorded ingress/egress agreement or easement for adjacent properties. The motion was made during the public hearing and approved by the board; the transcript records the motion and the board’s affirmative vote but does not list a roll‑call tally in the record.

The approval does not alter future city commission reviews: staff noted the right‑of‑way abandonment and any associated vacation hearing must go to the city commission for separate consideration, and utility easement language and the retention of an existing pole will remain subject to agency review.

Next steps: the applicant and staff will document the site‑plan modification and the access easement language as a condition of final approval. The board’s action allows the project to proceed to the subsequent administrative and city‑commission steps required by city code.