Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Former Wildflower land set for commerce
For years, it’s been a top priority of Boca Raton’s leaders to develop a prized piece of city-owned land in the downtown. And it still is.
Elected officials made that point clear Tuesday when, in a 4-1 vote, they designated the property at 551 E. Palmetto Park Road for commercial use.
“This has been the council’s direction for over seven years,” Mayor Susan Haynie said. “At this point in time, this has been the course.”
The action was necessary if the city plans to move forward with leasing the 2.27 acres to Hillstone Restaurant Group for a waterfront restaurant.
The downtown lot was once the site of the Wildflower nightclub but has been unused for more than a decade. The city purchased the lot for $7.5 million in 2009, and ever since residents have debated whether it should be developed as a restaurant or a public park.
That debate continued before the council Tuesday night.
Supporters of a restaurant said it would bring in money for the city and would rid the downtown of a major eyesore. Their challengers instead offered a plan for an active park with art installations, a choice of eateries and public walking paths along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Deputy Mayor Michael Mullaugh said designating the land for commercial use would be necessary for both proposed uses. Councilman Robert Weinroth said the downtown property is too small for an active park and other properties, such as the 15 acres known as Ocean Strand, would be better suited for that use.
They, along with Haynie and Councilman Jeremy Rodgers, voted to change the land use and zoning to commercial and local business throughout the property. Councilman Scott Singer voted in dissent, saying the city has plenty of restaurants but not enough green space.
The council also introduced an ordinance that would dictate all cityowned land adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway be used only for public recreation, public boating access, public streets and city stormwater uses.
The language was drafted as part of a citizen petition. If adopted by the council, it would render plans for an eatery on the Wildflower property moot.
If the council declines to approve the rule during its Aug. 9 meeting, then the question will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot for a public vote.
“I want to hear from people on this,” Haynie said.