Exclusive: D.R. Horton, local landowner offer community $650,000 to back townhomes

Agreement calls for Rustic Lakes Property Owners Association to get the money if Palm Beach Gardens City Council rezones site on Northlake Boulevard.

One of the country’s largest home builders and a local landowner have agreed to pay the board of a rural Palm Beach Gardens community $650,000 to withdraw its opposition to a plan to build 111 townhomes on Northlake Boulevard. 

The money would be paid only if the rezoning passes. The Palm Beach Gardens City Council is scheduled to take up the matter Aug. 3.

But not everyone in the community of Rustic Lakes supports the deal, and many residents who still oppose the development said they had no say in their board’s decision. 

“You’re trying to stack up little boxes, 111 of them, in front of a community of only 62 homes. It doesn’t fit,” resident Vanessa Saridakis said. “The majority of this community — I’m trying to find the right words — is dead set against it.”

Continue reading “Exclusive: D.R. Horton, local landowner offer community $650,000 to back townhomes”

Gardens trims tax rate, moves proposed pickleball courts

Most homeowners won’t be paying the city more when their tax bills show up in the fall.

The rapid rise in the value of homes in Palm Beach Gardens created a happy quandary for city officials: Take in more money than spelled out in a 10-year forecast or trim the tax rate?

Staff recommended trimming the rate and on Thursday night City Council members agreed.

Continue reading “Gardens trims tax rate, moves proposed pickleball courts”