Riverwalk proposal gets OK from city

Boynton approves redevelopment

Boynton Beach has voted in favor of development plans for Riverwalk Plaza.

In two 3-2 votes late Tuesday, city commissioners approved a rezoning ordinance and a landuse amendment for the development.

The vote will allow plaza owner Isram Realty to build a 10-story residential building on land along Federal Highway and Woolbright Road, where a Winn-Dixie once stood.

The decision comes after two years of disputes among residents, city officials and developers. Residents spoke at the commission meeting for and against the two issues up for consideration: rezoning and landuse amendments.

Some said they felt the amendments were sprung upon them suddenly; others said the changes had been presented at previous meetings.

“I disagree with the argument that this is being forced or rushed,” said Commissioner Justin Katz, who voted in favor of the rezoning. “These plans have been in place for decades, there have been plans and talk of development downtown for as long as I’ve lived in this city.”

Hundreds of residents in the past have implored commissioners to approve only four stories.

But in October, the city approved a redevelopment plan allowing for 10-story buildings at the intersection.

Commissioners have expressed a desire to create a downtown that will lure developers to the area, a vision that has already started to take shape in the city with the 500 Ocean development at Federal Highway and Ocean Avenue.

The commission will vote for a second time on the Riverwalk Plaza proposal Jan. 17. That vote will adopt the rezoning and land-use amendments.

It will also approve or deny two additional proposals: a height exception of five additional feet to allow for stair towers and decorative architectural features on the proposed 100-foot building, and a site plan modification allowing 326 multifamily rental apartments at about $2,200 per month, 51,220 square feet of commercial space and site improvements on 9.78 acres at the southeast corner of Federal Highway and Woolbright Road.

Last week, the planning and development advisory board voted to recommend the project to the commission, but board members were divided.

Isram Realty’s proposal includes plans to tear down the Winn-Dixie building, develop a commercial building facing Federal Highway and renovate the building housing Walgreens and Jo-Ann Fabrics.