Waves of Renewal: Shaping the Marina District

Written by Joann Skaria

Photos by Kim Seng

Sunny skies, ocean breezes, unique wildlife – enjoyment of the outdoors is a top reason many residents call Palm Beach Gardens home. Enjoyment of our local water-based recreational resources is a popular hobby, whether it be boating, fishing, swimming, or watersports.

The City does not currently include ocean-front property within its boundaries; however, several properties within the City are adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway, which provides ocean access through Lake Worth Lagoon. In order to provide distinct character recognition of this important area and to implement valuable feedback from residents, the City Council has adopted a Marina District Overlay. The overlay serves to highlight and protect this important local resource, with a goal to promote the public enjoyment of the Intracoastal Waterway. Along PGA Boulevard today, there are many bustling projects underway. What you see happening in the Marina District Overlay is many years in the making.

HISTORY

In 2006, the City of Palm Beach Gardens, in coordination with a planning consulting firm, conducted a Community Planning Session with City residents and stakeholders to discuss potential building height for new development and redevelopment in different areas of the City. The City was organized into regions and the attendees of the planning session were organized into groups that discussed the appropriate building height for each different region. The process included research and analysis of current height regulations, and two public workshops for resident input were held. A summary report was then presented to the City Council.

The PGA Boulevard and Intracoastal Waterway area was one of the six regions discussed during the City's Community Planning Sessions. The City’s Transit Oriented District (TOD) was another area where residents supported increased height and density in a limited area. The final height recommendations for the Marina limited area included a vision for 12-17 stories, with staggered building height, aesthetically pleasing architecture, and wider landscape buffers adjacent to residential neighborhoods. The residents also wanted to see mixed uses, such as shops and restaurants, and open spaces to promote public enjoyment of the water.

THE OVERLAY

An overlay is a flexible zoning tool that allows special standards to be put in place that are tailored to a specific area for a specific purpose. The purpose of the Palm Beach Gardens Marina District is to encourage a mix of uses, provide amenities along the waterfront, protect adjacent residential neighborhoods that protect the waterway, and prioritize public enjoyment of the water. This overlay was first adopted in 2023 in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which is the guiding vision for managing the City’s growth.

An amendment to the City's Land Development Regulations, also known as the “zoning code”, was also adopted by the City Council later in 2023 to provide a list of permitted uses, specify building height and tiering standards, and other specific code regulations relevant to the Marina District. The codes provided a maximum height of 90 feet, which was approved along with tiering standards to promote compatible development when adjacent to residential properties. Each proposal for a development project has been and will be reviewed and approved in accordance with the criteria established in the City’s zoning code for amendments.

PROJECTS IN THE OVERLAY

Port 32 Palm Beach Gardens (pictured above)

This marina, formerly known as PGA Marina, dates back to the 1970s, and contains both wet and dry boat storage slips. The existing marina structures had reached the end of their useful life and have recently been demolished. In October of 2023, with a significant amount of public support, the City Council unanimously voted to approve a major redevelopment of the site. The approved plans include 451 dry storage slips across two buildings with auxiliary retail and showroom space, as well as 20 wet storage slips. During the public hearing, there was a lot of discussion regarding the need for additional and improved boat storage in the north county area.

The planned improvements are safer for the community by storing the boats within the new buildings designed to withstand major hurricane-force winds. The Port 32 project is also forward-thinking – the buildings can accommodate the larger vessels that are the trend in the boating industry. The redevelopment is estimated to represent approximately $80 Million in capital investment and includes high quality architecture and landscaping that matches the demand and caliber of the PGA Boulevard corridor. The new marina will provide a much-needed service in the area, complete with a 5,000-square-foot ship store and improved vehicular and pedestrian access to the River House Restaurant to the north, which is open to the public, provides opportunities for social gatherings near the water, and is also located within in the Marina District.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences

The former location of the Panama Hattie’s restaurant received approval from Palm Beach County in 2022 for a major redevelopment, and was later annexed into the City of Palm Beach Gardens in January 2023. This project provides a new opportunity in the City for multifamily residential living with views to the Intercoastal Waterway. The Ritz-Carlton Residences plan includes 106 multi-family dwelling units, 23 boat slips, amenities for the residents, and below-grade parking facilities. The approved plan also provides recreational facilities, including a pavilion and boardwalk along the Intracoastal Waterway and other amenities oriented toward enjoyment of the waterfront.

Waterway Café

The Waterway Cafe, which has been in operation since 1986, recently concluded a complete redevelopment under new ownership. The entire site was demolished and modernized in its reconstruction. The new structure, including the iconic skylight, meets current building codes, providing outdoor diving and access for the public to enjoy. The floating dock bar was also completely rebuilt to improve safety standards. This community gem is a longtime favorite gathering spot for Gardens residents, and is revamped to serve the community for many years to come.

Additional properties in the Marina District Overlay include the Seasons 52 restaurant, Soveral Harbor, the Seminole Boat Yard, and in the future could potentially include the recently annexed properties south of the future Ritz Carlton Residences.

ENVIRONMENT

Environmental considerations were a top concern for the sustainability of the Intracoastal Waterway and success of the Marina District. The Ritz-Carlton Residences project includes two conservation easements to protect environmentally sensitive areas along the waterway. The Port 32 project included environmental best management practices in accordance with regulations to protect marine habitats and minimize negative impacts such as pollution. And the Waterway Café renovations included a massive overhaul of the existing seawall that was in need of repair. These improvements are consistent with the Coastal Management Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which was a top priority of the Marina District when it was adopted by the City Council.

As the Marina District progresses into the future, the City aims to identify ways to provide additional opportunities for residents to access and enjoy the Intracoastal. We hope to see you by the water!