Delray Beach board approves 36‑unit Delray Swan townhouse plan with loading relief

The Delray Beach Planning & Zoning Advisory Board on May 18 approved a level‑three site plan for Delray Swan, a 36‑unit, three‑story townhouse development on 14 parcels that together total 2.36 acres in the central business district railroad subdistrict.

Senior Planner Alexis Rosenberg told the board the application (city case file 283‑2025) proposes 36 townhomes with a floor‑area ratio of 1.1 — well under the CBD maximum of 3.0 — and a density of about 16.5 dwelling units per acre where 30 is permitted. Agent Jeffrey Castello said the plan reduces the scale previously approved on the block and will provide a public civic open space, internal access drives and 105 parking spaces where 78 are required.

Architect Gary Olopoulos described Anglo‑Caribbean–influenced architecture, two‑car garages for each unit, an amenities building with a pool and an enlarged attached civic green along the east side of the site. “All our units are actually facing this area,” Olopoulos said, explaining the design intent to provide natural surveillance of the public space.

The board’s questions centered on service and technical details. Castello asked for a determination of adequacy to waive minimum off‑street loading berths, arguing the internal 24‑foot access alley and adjacent on‑street and internal parking will accommodate typical delivery and moving activity. Staff and the applicant committed to address outstanding technical review comments — including perimeter lighting specifications, final sewer relocations and rooftop equipment screening — before site plan certification.

Landscape consultant Carol Perez told the board an on‑site assessment identified 77 trees, of which the team proposes to relocate two and replace the remainder with 92 new trees including 65 native specimens; the applicant agreed to a mitigation payment of $38,450. Board members pressed on the feasibility of relocating mature trees; Perez and the applicant said many trees were in poor condition or constrained by curbing and would not survive relocation.

Roger Cop, a board member, captured the sentiment in the room: “I’m madly in love with this project,” he said, praising the green space and the reduced bulk compared with the previously approved scheme. After discussion and clarifications, a motion to approve the site plan, elevations and landscape plan — including the loading determination — passed unanimously on roll call.

Next steps: staff will require the applicant to resolve the technical notes in the staff report before site plan certification and permit review; the applicant must then obtain required permits and proceed to platting and construction approvals.