Delray commissioners set hearing on proposed Wal-Mart
By David Sedore, Palm Beach Business.com
DELRAY BEACH — September 21. Mark your calendar.
Delray Beach City Commissioners Tuesday evening OKed first reading of a zoning change that would allow a Wal-Mart to be built at the old Ralph Buick site on South Federal Highway.
A public hearing will be held on the 21st before commissioners conduct a final vote on the ordinance, which is strongly opposed by residents of the adjacent neighborhoods. Delray’s planning and zoning board unanimously reject the change last month, saying the proposed change from automotive commercial to general commercial was too broad and would allow the owner of the land to build almost anything on the site. The board is advisory only; the final yea or nay lies solely with commissioners.
Meeting rules did not allow commissioners to hear from either opponents or proponents of the change before voting Tuesday. That can only come on second reading of any ordinance.
“I think we need to move forward to hear both sides,” Commissioner Fred Fetzer said.
On the 21st, the commissioners also will hear final reading of an ordinance intended to crack down on so-called pain clinics in Delray. The ordinance was scheduled for a final vote Tuesday but was pushed back on the request of city staff. The ordinance would require any pharmacy to generate the bulk of its revenue from the sales of items other than narcotics, and would require them to have a state-licensed pharmacist on staff.
On the 21st, commissioners are scheduled to hold a final public hearing and vote on the 2010-11 budget. They will meet to discuss the budget next Monday.
In other matters:
Commissioners passed first reading of an ordinance setting additional requirements for so-called live-work spaces. Under the changes, the occupant of the residential portion of the building would have to be the owner of the business.
Passed first reading of an ordinance that would double filing fees for commissioner candidates to $50. The move is intended to help the city recoup the cost of verifying signatures.
Passed first reading of an ordinance setting the fee for storing sailboats on the municipal beach at $250. The current fee is $200 and hasn’t been changed since 1995.
Approved a tax exemption request for $1.3 million worth of improvements to the home at 702 SE 2nd Avenue, in Delray’s Marina Historic District. The owner of the home won’t have to pay property taxes on the increased value of the home resulting from the work, which included a new pool and two additions.
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