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Delray commissioners OK zoning change despite reservations

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — It wasn’t WalMart redux. Not even close.

But as Delray Beach city commissioners passed first reading of an ordinance changing the zoning of the southeast corner of Linton Boulevard and South Federal Highway the thought did cross a few minds that the move could be paving the way for a WalMart-like store to slide into the neighborhood.

Commissioners must conduct a second hearing and pass the ordinance a second time before the change becomes law. That will happen in two weeks.

The site in question is now the Old Harbor office complex — three office buildings sitting on nearly 10 acres of land now zoned for office buildings. However, the property despite its prime location is flagging; its owners believe changing the property to commercial would give them more flexibility in attracting tenants, which in turn would give the city a boost in terms of its tax base and in terms of jobs.

“Ultimately, this is a good change for the corner,” Commissioner Tom Carney said.

But the property abuts the Tropical Isles residential neighborhood, and therein lies the rub.

Two years ago, WalMart attempted to buy the former Ralph Buick site a few blocks down Federal Highway from Old Harbor and convert the property into a scaled-down version of its super stores. That property also abuts Tropic Isles, and residents of the neighborhood showed up in masses at commission meetings to protest the move. WalMart ultimately withdrew its request.

A few Tropic Isles residents attended Tuesday’s meeting, and the question was raised about the possibility of a big-box store moving into the site if the zoning were to be changed.

Planning and Zoning Director Paul Dorling said it could be possible, but there are likely would be factors mitigating against it, including the odd shape of the property. Plus, there would be measures the city could take as well to control its development.

Commissioner Adam Frankel called the location one of the premier corners in the city but also said he feared the city surrendering control over development of the property. He said he would vote for the change with “great hesitation and no guarantee for two weeks from now.”

Mayor Woodie McDuffie said the property as it now stands, isn’t doing much good for anyone — the owners, the city and the neighborhood. “It’s blighted. I wouldn’t want to live behind it.”

He agreed with Dorling that the city does have the controls to keep the property from becoming something that nobody wants.