FL County Approves Huge Rural Development Conflicting With Comprehensive Plan

A massive development containing 10,000 homes, a hotel, golf course, college campus, and millions of square feet for businesses may spread across the 3,900 acre Callery-Judge citrus grove in rural Palm Beach County, if Florida's Department of Community Affairs approves a preliminary comprehensive plan amendment submitted by Palm Beach County. Neighboring residents were infuriated that the project trumped seven years of work on the rural area sector plan, which had involved town meetings and focus groups.

The recently adopted sector plan was supposed to guide growth in the rural area, creating town hubs and regulating traffic. The state has yet to sign off on the sector plan. Without the land use changes just given preliminary approval, fewer than 400 homes could be built on the site. Under the sector plan, 3,100 homes would be allowed.