Serving Highland Beach and Coastal Boca Raton
September 2017
Along the Coast
A LINE IN THE SAND
At issue is whether building should continue east of Coastal Construction Line
See CCCL on page 14
Highland Beach
Boca official’s merger idea gets cool reception By Rich Pollack
By Jane Smith and Michelle Quigley
If a major hurricane were to hit the barrier island in southern Palm Beach County, $6.4 billion in mansions and condos sitting east of A1A would likely be damaged or destroyed. Would the property owners be allowed to rebuild? Yes, if the past is an indication. The state has OK’d nearly all applications to build seaward of what is called the Coastal Construction Control Line in the past 10 years, according to a local spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The mansions and condos, including sea walls and swimming pools, lie perilously close to the ocean. Some of the pools and sea walls washed away in October 2012 when Hurricane Sandy brushed the South Florida coast. “This is criminal,” said Harold Wanless, professor and department chairman of geological sciences at the University of Miami. “Someone should be brought up on charges because it affects the health, safety
Volume 10 Issue 9
LEFT: The Coastal Construction Control Line runs along South Ocean Boulevard in Highland Beach in this aerial image. RIGHT: A direct hit by a severe storm on southern Boca Raton’s condominiums would be costly. State of Florida Maps
Should the oceanfront town of Highland Beach become part of the larger Boca Raton? At least one of the larger city’s council members thinks it might be a good idea. Highland Beach officials and other residents whom The Coastal Star asked disagreed. In a Facebook post in late August in Rodgers which he complained that Highland Beach’s website was down, Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers floated the idea and asked residents of both communities for their thoughts. “I’d love to bring worldclass Boca Raton services, parks, libraries and staff to Highland Beach and at the same time expand our Boca Raton, Florida coastline by bringing Highland Beach into Boca,” he wrote. “Overall costs would drop for residents of both cities when all services (water, sewer, police, fire) were accounted for.” Rodgers, in the post, said See ANNEX on page 11
Boca Raton
City to consider giving up Mizner land, getting performing arts center in return By Mary Hladky
A major developer has approached city officials about creating a public/private partnership to develop cityowned land just as they are in the early stages of deciding how to build a new municipal campus downtown. The Related Group, South Florida’s largest luxury condo
developer also known for its large mixed-use projects, contacted the city about a year ago, but no formal talks took place. Now Related is back, proposing in a July 11 letter a swap agreement. Related is offering to build a 1,500-seat indoor performing arts center and adjacent parking garage within the nearly 30 city-owned acres around City
Hall. In return, the city would give Related about 3.6 cityowned acres in the northeast section of Mizner Park, where the developer would tear down the aging outdoor amphitheater and build as many as 400 residential units, retail space and a parking garage the public also could use. See RELATED on page 12
The Related Group would demolish Mizner Park Amphitheater and replace it with 400 residential units. Photo provided
Inside The buzz on bees
Area hive keepers reap sweet rewards from helping a species. Page H1
Life lines
Cuban artist Carlos Luna’s evocative art is inspired by his unique take on life, identity, and creativity. Page AT7
Municipalities deciding how to spend their penny sales-tax windfalls. Page 20 Boca council approves Mizner 200 project Page 4
Savoring September
It’s the month for dining specials. Page AT1