Zoning panel recommends approval of GL Homes plan to convert Falls golf course to 800‑unit PUD

The Palm Beach County Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request from GL Homes that would convert the Falls golf course into an 800‑unit Planned Unit Development (PUD).

Kevin Rattery, vice president of GL Homes, told the commission the site is 167.82 acres with a commercial‑recreation future land‑use designation and an underlying MR‑5 residential allowance. "We are asking for 800 units," Rattery said; the proposal would include 500 single‑family zero‑lot‑line homes and 300 multifamily rental units. Rattery said that under MR‑5 the property could support up to 838 units without density bonuses and that the applicant is not requesting workforce housing density bonuses.

Neighbors and community groups offered mixed views at Tuesday’s hearing. Joshua Leroy, president of the Smith Farm Dairy East homeowners association, and Laura York, president of the Winston Trails Foundation, spoke in support of the revised plan and the developer’s offer to limit height to four stories if the county declares a small civic parcel surplus. "We support the approval of the rezoning request," Leroy said, citing the plan’s mix of housing types and the developer’s concessions.

Several nearby homeowners opposed the rezoning. Jocelyn Harris Fitzroy, a Journey’s End resident of 26 years, said the project would take away "quiet enjoyment," raise traffic concerns on Jog Road and risk increased stormwater runoff near her property. "I am opposed to it," she said, and asked that the application be denied.

County staff and the applicant addressed key concerns. Rattery said the developer has committed to fund a traffic signal if the county determines one is warranted within 24 months after final certificate of occupancy, and to post surety for signal construction. On drainage, Rattery described perimeter berms and internal swales designed for a 25‑year, 3‑day storm (roughly 10–12 inches of rain) that will collect runoff into the project's lake system; he noted engineering plans require county and South Florida Water Management District approval and must show no discharge onto neighboring properties.

On schools, Rattery cited a school‑district (SCAD) letter finding the district has capacity and concluding the project "will have no negative impact on the school district or the assigned schools." The workforce housing requirement is 27 units for this project; the applicant said a code timing issue affecting how on‑site workforce units are triggered will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for direction.

Rattery also described negotiated buffer arrangements along the north property line with Journey’s End, including a combined 50‑foot buffer and planting of fast‑growing fishtail palms; he said the developer will build a berm and a six‑foot panel wall offset from the property line and will finalize details before the Board of County Commissioners hearing.

After questions from commissioners on density, access and compatibility, the commission made a motion to recommend approval; the motion was seconded and passed. The recommendation will go to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, which will take final action and consider related items such as any declaration of surplus civic property and development‑order conditions.

Next steps: the Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners for a future hearing (the applicant cited February 26 for the county decision on the civic parcel but the BCC schedule and final conditions were not decided at the zoning hearing).