Image: Greystar
Ordinances to rezone vacant land at the corner of Lyon’s Road and Atlantic Boulevard and to amend the city’s master list of businesses were passed unanimously 5-0 by commissioners.That said, a resolution approving the PCD’s site plan request passed 4-1 with Commissioner Jeffrey Wasserman in dissent. Wasserman wanted the length of three buildings shortened by 20 feet for an bigger buffer. Developers Greystar conceded to shorten two of the three.
Similar to first public hearing of the PCD in October, emails from residents were read into the record Thursday, and others addressed the commission in person.
In listening to both sides, the general tenor of the community shifted from the first meeting to the second. More residents spoke in favor of the project the second time around, lauding Greystar for its due diligence. The company made concessions for setbacks and buffers and assured area residents that the PCD was not going to be highly trafficked by big rigs.
“That’s just false narrative,” said Malcolm Butters for the firm.
Instead, the Cocomar PCD will accommodate a variety of leisure uses that cater to consumer traffic—not trucks. Uses were added to the master business list to accommodate them.
“We’re going to bring first class tenants,” Butters said.
Sustainable Development Director, Scott Stoudemire, assured commissioners that the proposed Cocomar PCD complied with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and that it met conditions for approval.
Butters emphasized how the City of Coconut Creek had a less than one percent vacancy rate for industrial space, and little more than one percent of the city’s land area is used for industrial purposes.
“The city needs this,” Butters said, adding that industrial centers like Cocomar support the local economy.
Commissioners, in general, were happy with the deal. Vice Mayor Sandra Welch called it “Good government in action” at the last meeting.
Thursday, the Vice Mayor said all her questions about the project were answered.
“Everything that I had a concern about was addressed,” she said.
Mayor Josh Rydell wanted to know how many native plants will be relocated on the site.
“960 trees, 358 palms and 9,000 shrubs,” said a landscape engineer for Greystar.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” said Rydell.
Developers plan a 4,000 square foot community garden on site, along with walking paths and a water preserve protected by county land.
– Originally posted on Coconut Creek News.
