Board approves Westchester/Piper Glenn amendment, includes workforce‑housing conditions and in‑lieu protections

The Palm Beach County Board approved an amendment to the Piper Glenn/Westchester master plan to add 49 for‑sale multifamily units and incorporated conditions intended to secure two workforce‑housing units through an off‑site exchange or, if that fails under the adopted timeframe, an in‑lieu payment.

Applicant representatives told the board they had negotiated changes with neighborhood groups and framed the proposal as preserving the golf course while adding limited for‑sale housing. "We have a great signage team," an applicant representative said, describing community meetings and concessions. Bonnie, speaking for the project, confirmed the units are intended to be for sale and that the developer would pursue the exchange/builder option recommended by staff.

Commissioner Maria Sachs urged on‑site workforce units, but the board accepted the developer’s offer of an off‑site exchange with conditions that marketing for workforce units start concurrently with market‑rate sales and continue until at least 75% of market‑rate units have certificates of occupancy, with a minimum marketing period not less than 180 days. Staff said that if the workforce units do not sell in the required timeframe the developer must pay the in‑lieu fee and the County will receive the funds rather than on‑site units.

Throughout discussion commissioners raised concerns about homeowner‑association fees and whether the workforce units would be affordable after HOA costs are included. Staff replied the Unified Land Development Code contains provisions addressing conversion and marketing timeframes; the board adopted conditions that require marketing and set the conversion/in‑lieu path if units do not meet the sales thresholds.

The motion to approve the amendment with the workforce‑housing conditions passed 7‑0. The applicant will proceed with final plans and the marketing and conversion schedule set by the approved conditions.