West Delray Beach Agricultural Land Could Be Rezoned As Industrial

An agricultural site in the fast-growing residential area west of Delray Beach could be rezoned for industrial development.

The West Atlantic Industrial project would be within the Agricultural Reserve, a swath of farmland in southwest Palm Beach County that has been a hotbed of single-family home development over the past few decades. County rules require developers to preserve a certain amount of green space for every acre they develop.

This application would address the lack of industrial development in the largely residential area. It comes at a time when industrial vacancy rates in Palm Beach County are near record lows and rents are on the rise.

Roger and Karen Fina filed a land use application for the 10.1-acre site at 10321 W. Atlantic Ave., which is at the very end of Atlantic Avenue on the edge of the wetlands. It currently has agricultural uses and a single-family home the Finas have lived in for nearly 30 years. By rezoning it to “light industrial,” that would permit up to 198,137 square feet of industrial space.

Lauren McClellan of Palm Beach Gardens-based JMortan Planning & Landscape Architecture, which represents the applicant, said the site is not under contract to a developer but the Finas are looking to possibly develop it with office/warehouse or landscaping services. No site plan has been submitted.

“As new residential projects continue to be approved in the Agricultural Reserve and more people populate the area, additional services are needed and should be located close to the need,” the developer stated in the application. “Approval of additional industrial land will allow for needed services to be located near existing housing, thus reducing vehicle trips outside of the Agricultural Reserve and ultimately contributing to less traffic congestion and better access throughout the Agricultural Reserve.”

The applicant’s traffic study said the development would result in 885 daily vehicle trips.

This application will require County Commission approval. An initial vote could take place in early May.

 

Source: SFBJ