Delray defers funding for design of new park

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

The Delray Beach City Commission has deferred spending $95,000 to design a new passive park, citing what Commissioner Gary Eliopoulos called “financial constraints.”

Commissioners Tuesday tabled the payment that would have gone to Mock, Roos and & Associates for the final design, permitting and bidding of the Intracoastal Waterway Educational/Passive Park.

City Manager Dave Harden said the park was proposed several years ago, before the advent of strict tax reforms imposed by the state legislature.  The park, he said, was also to have educational components.

Harden said the money to construct the park is slated to come from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND), and it would improve access to the Intracoastal.

“What steps do we have to take before we apply to FIND?” asked Commissioner Fred Fetzer.

“We have to have a preliminary design,” he said, “which involves surveying and determining the property lines.”

“We can table this until we talked to FIND,” he suggested.  And the commission did so on a 3-0 vote.  Mayor Rita Ellis and Commissioner Woodie McDuffie were not present.

Other Business

In other business, commissioners approved requests from two local auto dealerships.

The board approved the application of Ed Morse Cadillac at 2300 South Federal Highway for a waiver of land development applications to install a 1,728 square foot temporary modular building on the site.

The application said sales staff will use the temporary building while renovations are being made to the rest of the facility.

In giving the dealership permission, commissioners said the building must be removed no later than May of 2009.

Also, commissioners approved the request of Delray Mazda at 2001 South Federal Highway to have two flat wall signs on the building.  The application said the former showroom building heavily damaged by Hurricane Wilma has been rebuilt, and is now ready to have signs attached.

Commissioners also postponed until May 20 a proposed comprehensive plan amendment and future land use amendment.

Also postponed – this one to June 3 – was a privately initiated land development amendment to include additional property in the Old School Square Historic Arts District (OSSHAD).

Vice Mayor Brenda Montague also issued proclamations naming May 18-24 as Emergency Medical Services Week and May 10 as Therapy Dog Awareness Day.

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