Commission postpones final site approval for Midtown plat

Published March 24th, 2008

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

The Delray City Commission has withheld final site approval for a combination townhouse and medical center project until the developer can show how it will meet 30 conditions imposed by commissioners in December.

Ascot Development wants to construct 116 townhouses and a 29,571 square foot medical center on 9.86 acres of land at Linton Boulevard and Old Germantown Road.  The location is part of the former Blood’s Grove, and the proposed development would be called Midtown Delray.

Michael Weiner, attorney for Ascot, argued that the developer needs final approval to begin demolition at the site.  But officials said they did not feel comfortable approving the plat without seeing how the applicant is going to meet the conditions.

He said failure of the commission to vote could jeopardize a $5 million affordable housing grant.   Ascot has said that 32 of the 116 town home units will be built as part of the Community Workforce Housing Innovative Program (CWHIP).  They also said the remaining 82 units will be priced similarly in an attempt to fulfill the need for workforce housing in Delray Beach.

The land has been already been rezoned to Special Activities District (SAD). The property includes about 27,000 square feet of preserve which the developer said will provide opportunities for walking outdoors and viewing the native environment

According to plans, 42 of the town homes will feature views of the centrally located half-acre lake.

In other business, the commission gave initial approval to an amendment to the city’s sign code that would affect signs placed around Little League athletic fields.

Planning & Zoning Director Paul Dorling said the two Little Leagues in the city have merged into one, which offers advertising opportunities at ball fields.  The ordinance approved by the commission would require advertisers to remove signs during the off-season.

Dorling said the amendment allows advertising, but “has enough restricts to avoid sign clutter.”

Commissioners also approved the purchase of three Harley Davidson Road King motorcycles for the police department. The bikes will be bought from Fort Lauderdale Harley Davidson via the Florida Sheriff’s Association contract.

Officials also approved the request of Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) to conduct its 11th annual 5K walk and run on Oct. 11 along Ocean Boulevard from Casuarina to George Bush Boulevard.

Dale M. King can be reached at 561-549-0832 or at dking@bocanews.com.