Palm Beach Aggregates denied land-use change

Ernie Cox
Ernie Cox

The owners of Palm Beach Aggregates were denied a land-use change that would have let them build an industrial development on 142 acres west of Wellington.

County commissioners voted 5-2 to stick to a 10-year old agreement establishing the L-8 Canal as the western development boundary to protect the Everglades Agricultural Area. The dividing line was created to prevent residential construction or other development from entering the area north of Southern Boulevard.

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“We’re disappointed in the outcome and we are not sure [what] our next step is going to be,” Palm Beach Aggregates attorney Ernie Cox told the Palm Beach Post. “We hope there’s an opportunity to do something special on this piece of property because it is unique. What’s the best use there? We think it’s a great place to create jobs.”

Commissioners ended up siding with concerned environmentalists who argued that approving the land-use change would open the door to additional development on the site, which could be vital for future Everglades restoration. [Palm Beach Post]Eric Kalis