Boynton places 6-month ban on new group homes

Staff to review updated federal guidelines on such facilities.

BOYNTON BEACH — In a move aimed at examining and possibly limiting the proliferation of sober homes in Boynton Beach, the City Commission Tuesday night approved a six-month ban on new applications for group homes.

Sober homes fall under the category of group homes, said Mike Rumpf, the city’s director of planning and zoning. So could homes for the elderly or foster children.

The commissioners unani - mously approved the moratorium without discussion, and no one from the public came to the podium to speak.

City staff requested the halt to have time to review the updated guidelines pertaining to group homes released Nov. 10 by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Develop - ment, and see if changes need to be made to city regulations. The temporary ban went into effect with Tuesday’s approval. But the moratorium also will be Keep up with The Post’s complete coverage of Boynton Beach on its Facebook page dedicated to the city. On Facebook, search for Post on Boynton Beach.

on the agenda for the next commission meeting for a public hearing, Rumpf said.

Cities across Palm Beach County are trying to figure out how to regulate the homes but have to be cautious because the addicts who live there are disabled and federal law says cities cannot discriminate against them.

Boynton Beach appears to be the first municipality to introduce a moratorium.

In Delray Beach, Boynton’s neighbor to the south, officials are talking about adopting ordinances to regulate the recovery industry as early as January. In November, Delray Beach Mayor Cary Glickstein told The Palm Beach Post he has asked the city attorney whether the city can impose a similar moratorium.

The moratorium gives some relief to those Boynton Beach residents who have complained to city