The Agricultural Reserve Is Being Invaded!

May 1, 2021

By Sheila Calderon

Agricultural Reserve

The time has come for us to stand up and say "We won't take this anymore." Since 1999 when the citizens of Palm Beach County voted on a $150 million bond to preserve the Agricultural Reserve (AR) for farmland, slowly but surely the developers have managed to build where there was once flourishing farmland (a good part of our Florida's economy).

Now the Kushner Companies have applied for permits to the commissioners of Palm Beach County to build a colossal distribution center (Star Key Industrial Park) on West Atlantic Avenue between the Turnpike and Lyons Road (north side). This would be a disaster for anyone living in and around the area. It is now farmland and part of the AR—it is there to protect the environment and the Everglades. This would be a great intrusion to the mission of the AR.

Here are some key reasons why this proposal should not go forward:

  • The existing roads are barely adequate for the current volume of traffic. Imagine hundreds of trucks backed up on the Turnpike and Atlantic Avenue trying to get to such a center. It would require substantial roadwork over an extended period of time, further increasing traffic.
  • We will probably get stuck with paying higher taxes to build the roads to accommodate the development.
  • The center would be built in the AR, adding significant pollution and endangering wild species.
  • Some experts warn that the facility could add to flood risk. West Atlantic is a primary evacuation route. How would you stop all truck traffic to make sure residents are evacuated?
  • According to the Palm Beach Post, while the AR is protected from over-building for residential projects, there are no such limitations for industrial projects. This needs to change.

What can you do?

Please voice your concerns about this project by writing/calling The Palm Beach County Department of Planning and Zoning (561-233-5000) and reaching out to the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners. Let them know that this project will be coming before them and when it does it is their responsibility as your representative to decline it. Click here for their contact information.