Volume 5 Issue 6
June 2012
Serving Hypoluxo Island, South Palm Beach, Manalapan, Ocean Ridge, Briny Breezes, Gulf Stream, Coastal Delray Beach, Highland Beach and Coastal Boca Raton
Celebrating Summer
Boca Raton
City considers special tax on beachfront property By Steve Plunkett
Scores of boats gathered Lake Boca on May 6 for the annual Boca Bash. Although “float ups” are a common weekend happening, the unofficial end of the college term brings a larger crowd of revelers for this party-on-the-water on the Intracoastal Waterway between the Palmetto Park Road and Camino Real bridges. This view is from Carmen’s Restaurant at the Bridge Hotel. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
Delray Beach
Enforcement of housing law blocked; Caron writes neighbors By Tim Pallesen A federal judge has granted a temporary injunction to stop Delray Beach from enforcing its stringent transient housing ordinance against the Caron Foundation. U.S. District Judge William Dimitrouleas stopped short of ordering the city to grant Caron’s request to open a sober house for seven patients at 1232 Seaspray Ave.
Letter requests communications from residents concerning sober house
But he said Delray Beach must continue to process Caron’s request for reasonable accommodations there without violating federal laws that prohibit discrimination against
recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. As Caron’s lawsuit heads for trial, the treatment provider shocked residents in the Seaspray neighborhood on May 11 by hand-delivering a letter notifying 40 neighbors that their communications will be sought as evidence for the trial. “We intend to examine all See CARON on page 11
Boca Raton plans to create a special assessment district on the barrier island to guarantee it has money for future beach renourishment. Municipal Services Director Bob DiChristopher gave preliminary figures at the City Council’s goal-setting sessions May 2, 3 and 15, noting that beach properties are valued at $2.2 billion so a special assessment of $1 per $1,000 would raise $2.2 million a year. “We’re trying to amortize it over a 10-year period, you know, trying to smooth out the cost,” he said. “So it would be around 1 mill if it’s an annual charge or if it’s based on front foot ownership then it’s $150 a front foot.” The city and the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, which both own parks on the island, would pay an equivalent share, he said. “So all the residents are participating,” he said. The first step will be hiring a consultant to determine an assessment methodology, or who gets how much of a special benefit from the beach, DiChristopher said. “You can probably show a benefit to everybody east of the Intracoastal,” he said. “So everybody on the barrier island, you could prorate them differently, See BEACH TAX on page 13
Along the Coast
Towns debate PBSO takeover, crime, mergers Manalapan unable to keep pace with beach crime
PBSO Pullout of inlet patrol has led to local woes
Ocean Ridge residents tell commission to keep police
See MANALAPAN on page 5
See PBSO on page 5
See OCEAN RIDGE on page 4
Meet Your Neighbor
Royal Palm resident Edythe Harrison continues her tradition of pursuing arts, political passions. Page 17
An enduring classic for Dad The simple blue blazer is a wardrobe essential that continues to be popular with men of all ages. Page 29
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST PALM BCH FL PERMIT NO 4595