West Palm Beach Eyeing Waterfront Rezoning Moratorium

West Palm Beach gave tentative approval to a measure that would pause redevelopment in a waterfront area of the city’s downtown. It will mostly affect the seven apartment and condo projects on S. Flagler Drive and Washington Road.

The S. Florida Business Journal reports the measure would halt any new projects in the area that require rezoning. Developments filed earlier wouldn’t be affected. The measure comes amid growing community pushback against the scale and speed of redevelopment in West Palm Beach’s urban core in recent years.

The six-month pause would give the city time to hire an outside consultant to recommend potential zoning changes to the area, which is home to a number of vintage multifamily and condominium buildings (shown) that could be ripe for luxury redevelopment.

Before the moratorium can go into effect, the ordinance would require a second reading by city commissioners. That vote is slated for July 20.

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