West Palm Beach Development Moratorium Heads to Final Vote

West Palm Beach commissioners will take a final vote on pausing new project applications for high-rise waterfront developments at next week’s meeting.

The proposed ordinance would create a six-month moratorium on new planned development applications for properties south of Monroe Drive, north of Southern Boulevard, west of Flagler Drive and east of Washington Road, according to the commission agenda. Commissioners approved it on first reading at a meeting last week; a second reading vote is scheduled for July 20.

The city cited rapid transformation of that corridor of apartment and condo buildings and is hiring Zyscovich to complete a zoning and economic analysis, redevelopment testing, recommendations and the drafting of new zoning regulations. The pause in applications would expire on January 20, 2027, unless extended by the commission.

Developers have zeroed in on downtown West Palm Beach, targeted condo buyouts of older buildings and moved forward with a number of luxury condo skyscrapers. More than a dozen luxury condo projects are in the works in West Palm Beach totaling over 2,000 units; many of the developers are Miami-based, including Related Group, Terra and BH Group. Billionaire developer Steve Ross of Related Ross has spearheaded development in the city’s downtown.

Commissioner Stephen Sylvester called the proposed moratorium a “direct response” to concerns about overdevelopment, according to the Palm Beach Post. “Hopefully this is only the beginning of a broader plan for how we want our neighborhoods to look, one that doesn’t rely on granting an ever-increasing number of (zoning) variances with each new project.”

Sylvestor became a city commissioner earlier this year. He represents the city’s South End.

The initial approval adds to mounting opposition from residents who are arguing that the city is moving too quickly and prioritizing developer alignment over community interests. Residents showed up to two city meetings last week wearing “Save West Palm Beach” shirts, in part to oppose the appointment of a Related Ross executive to the city’s Downtown Development Authority.