A resident group, Save West Palm Beach, is asking Mayor Keith James to put the brakes on major new development requests for two years. The group wants the city to stop considering new requests for added height, zoning, and density while it studies the cumulative impact of its rapidly growing development pipeline.

Background

The group says that would give the city time to measure what thousands of additional residents and workers actually do to traffic and infrastructure. Save West Palm Beach is tracking 67 development projects, with four completed and eight to 10 buildings currently underway expected to be completed and occupied during the next two years.

The proposal would not halt projects already approved or under construction. Instead, the group wants a two-year pause on new major requests involving height, zoning, and density while the city studies infrastructure and traffic after more of the projects already underway are occupied.

Requests to the Mayor

Save West Palm Beach presented James with four major requests: a two-year pause on new major development requests and an independent infrastructure study, a review of developer impact fees, protection of the waterfront and Flagler Drive, and community listening sessions bringing residents, city leaders, and developers together.

The group’s founders described Monday’s meeting with James as positive, with James agreeing to additional listening sessions and collaborations in the future. The city remains committed to a thoughtful approach that considers infrastructure, economic development, quality of life, and the broader needs of the community.

Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.