DEVELOPMENT MAY BE COMING TO VAST AGRICULTURAL AREA

The Callery-Judge citrus groves property in District 6 is the gateway to more development of a vast agricultural area near The Acreage, Loxahatchee and Royal Palm Beach. Early plans called for a “new urbanist project,” with 10,000 homes, 3.8MM sq ft of commercial and office space, a golf course, hotel and equestrian center. Residents who moved to the area for a rural environment had strongly protested the project. The revised project calls for developing 3700 acres with 2,999 houses, 236,000 sq ft fo commercial space and 80,000 sq feet of industrial property, and requires a more arduous state review, a DRI (Development of Regional Impact) study. The developer is relying on an “agricultural enclave” strategy, as yet untested in Florida, but authorized two years ago by the Legislature. Homes can be built in agricultural areas where they otherwise might not be sited; requirements for development approval is eased if their properties are at least 75% surrounded by development. GL Homes is prepared to develop a large swath of the area. Stay tuned for results of the soon-to-be-submitted project while Government officials get more familiar with this development strategy.

WELLINGTON VILLAGE COUNCIL MOVING STADIUM JUMPING PLANS AHEAD

Two measures were approved to build a new facility on 179 acres in southern Wellington, paving the way for horse show producer Stadium Jumping to move forward. A second vote for final approval will be held later this month. This will allow Stadium Jumping to skip the time-consuming comprehensive plan amendment process for large-scale developments, which require state review. Stadium Jumping has claimed that its current 79-acre facility at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club are too small for it’s National Horse Show and Winter Equestrian Festival. This issue though still remains a problem to many who are against skipping the comprehensive plan amendment.

NAR: A GOOD DAY FOR HOUSING… September 18, 2007

Along with “the FED” cutting the discount rate by half a percentage point, the House of Representatives passed the Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007, HR 1852, offering homeowners a safer alternative to risky mortgage products, helping homeowners who may be facing foreclosure, increasing loan limits and eliminating the statutory 3% minimum cash down payment. Mortgage modifications will allow borrowers to change mortgage terms so they can afford to stay in their home. “Partial Claim” programs will cure a loan default with the FHA lending the borrower money with a no-interest loan due when the property is sold or paid off. The National Association of Realtors (NAR), America’s largest trade association, represents 1.3MM+ members involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate and is known as “The Voice for Real Estate.”

NEW STADIUM JUMPING SHOW GROUNDS APPROVED BY WELLINGTON COUNCIL

Holding the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival and National Horse Show show this year may or may not be “in the cards,” but the horse show producer’s new show grounds in the southeast corner of the village has been approved 4-1 by the Village Council. Concerns about traffic, sewer capacity and legal issues were expressed. Stadium Jumping’s horse shows bring millions of dollars into the village and the equestrian season is relied on by many businesses. Stadium Jumping wants to build a new facility, calling it the Wellington International Equestrian Arena, on 179 acres in the Wellington Preserve. Included would be a grand prix field, 2200 permanent stables and 648 temporary stalls with rings for hunters and jumpers, a restaurant and veterinary clinic.

KRAVIS UPDATE

November 7: Queen Latifah... December 13: Anita Baker... January 30: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Kravis Members can buy tickets prior to this Saturdays Public Ticket Sale to be held in the center's Rinker Playhouse, 701 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach. There will be refreshments available. To become a Kravis Center member, call 561-651-4320. You can choose your seats at www.kravis.org or call 561-832-7469 or 800-572-8471.

BEACH CLEANUP SATURDAY SEPT 15TH

Come to Gulfstream Park, 4489 No. Ocean Blvd, Gulfstream, 8-10:30 am and help cleanup, get free t-shirts, drinks and cookies and be awarded community service hours. Pre-reister with Gary Solomon, TheRecipeExchange@Comcast.net, 561-734-9128. www.Sandsifters.org. Gulfstream Park is a small beach park nestled on a hill behind a mass of Sea Grape bushes and shaded by Australian Pines. There are open picnic benches, a few BBQ grills, a children’s play area, showers and restrooms as well as areas to sit overlooking the ocean. The beach is wide and clean and there is usually a lifeguard on duty. Walk the vegetation-covered boardwalk to the beach. There are 86-parking spaces (free). Activities include fishing, swimming and sunbathing – a great place to take the kids to!

HIGH HOLY DAYS TEMPLE ATTENDANCE INCREASED BY YOUNG FAMILIES

Rabbi Sholom Ciment at Chabad-Lubavitch of Great Boynton Beach, which has 500 member families, said they this year the Temple has had a 35% growth of totally unaffiliated families. A preschool was recently opened at the Chabad, and more adjacent land was purchased, doubling the size of its campus. About 1000 people are expected for services. They offer free synagogue membership, including seats for the High Holy Days, to new families who register for the pre-school or Hebrew School. Rabbi Stephen Pinksy of Reform Temple Beth Torah of Wellington said that nonmembers attend their services, but most who come are members. He said that some congregations (but not theirs) believe they will make up their deficits each year through the sale of holiday tickets. In the past 12 years, the Temple has grown from 200 to 500 families of which 60% are younger families and 25% older families. Rabbi Anthony Fratello of Reform Temple Shaarei Shalom, west of Boynto Beach, says their High Holy Day Services are a sell-out each year, including a mix between young and old and some folks who have not yet found a congregational home. Rabbi Menachem M. Muskal of Orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch of Wellington, also called the Wellington Jewish Center, says they won’t turn anyone away for lack of funds, and their young population is growing.