Public Hearing of Centex Palm Harbor PUD Amendments Scheduled for Tuesday

Call to action – Support Palm Coast acquisition of Palm Harbor golf course by supporting PUD amendments.

October 1, 2007 – Palm Coast, Florida – The agreement between the City of Palm Coast and Centex which will result in the donation of the Palm Harbor golf course to the city rests on a contingency. The city must first approve amendments to a couple of PUD agreements. These agreements control Centex’s development rights at the Intracoastal condo/hotel and marina site as well as the proposed condominium site on the former golf practice range. The first reading of these amendments is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. tomorrow night, October 2nd, at the Community Center. Public input is invited. A second reading is scheduled for October 16th, at 9:00 a.m., also at the Community Center.

This is not a done deal. The council will listen to and consider all public comment. Many residents are so angry over the Centex pullout that they seek only retribution. Blinded by their anger, they see any deal with Centex as a bailout. Many are misinformed of the facts. Regardless, they will be present and vocal on Tuesday.

If you believe, as I do, that a municipal golf course is a good thing for Palm Coast, be sure to show up at this meeting and express your support. Come with an understanding of the following facts:

• If the PUD amendments are not approved, the old PUD will still be in effect. This means that Centex, or any future owner, need only maintain the property at the minimum level required by city codes.
• The original PUD agreement does not guarantee that Centex continue to operate a golf course.
• A PUD is a zoning instrument. It defines the property owner’s rights to develop. It cannot force the development to occur.
• The city cannot enforce bonding for private development.

Centex has openly stated that they are trying to find a buyer for the development. They desire these changes in order to provide greater flexibility for whoever owns the property. The amendments grant this flexibility without granting any new entitlements. The hotel/condo project will have no more total units. No more land will be covered by buildings. By providing more flexibility, the amendments simply enhance the odds the project will be restarted. The amended development rights are better aligned with current market conditions, improving the chances of earlier commencement.

We do not need a partially completed development in the heart of Palm Coast, especially one surrounded by a fallow golf course. If you care, show up Tuesday.