Melvin G. Casey
7020 Half Moon Circle - 210
Hypoluxo, Florida 33462
March 26, 2009
You must be aware that our neighbors to the immediate north are in the process of transferring their property to others who have radical plans in the zoning makeup of that 10 acre parcel. Perhaps you are in agreement with those changes and perhaps not but the procedure for change has moved a step closer to fruition. The Lantana Planning Board has approved the request for the change of residential to commercial status for this land presently called the “Cenacle” and the march towards realization of the developers plans has gained allies and momentum. There is little doubt in my mind that this revision will provide benefits to the town of Lantana as a whole at the sacrifice of a few. Our lovely paradise called Half Moon Bay will be among those forfeiting a portion of a lifestyle and perhaps a lot more. Make no mistake, this issue is about money and not progress. Progress is not always about development. It sometimes is about the quality of life and we are about to lose some of that. Unfortunately, prior attempts to create the “Cenacle” into a public park failed to culminate. That would have been progress.
No property taxes are paid by the present owners and the conversion to commercial zoning will afford considerable cash to the coffers to Palm Beach County and Lantana specifically. Jobs will be created in the construction and in the maintenance of the finished facility and there will be pleasures afforded there. The developers have presented plenty of pleasing eyewash as well. However, the town of Lantana has little interest in Hypoluxo’s needs and will surely bulldozer their own local objections in order to facillitate the larger goal.
Please consider the fact that we presently have a good, decent, and quiet neighbor with few motorists accessing that property day or night. The developers would have you believe that their ammenities will be available for all and that little intrusion will be thrust upon us. There may be little that we can do to abort this situation and you as individual may feel helpless or indeed, unwilling or unable to challenge this zoning change. But if you can and if you desire to, I urge you to speak now before the fires of the charge rage on. Once the zoning change is made there may and probably will be no turning back.
It is my own opinion that the present status is the best one for us at HMB. There will be li ttle or no gain for the residents at HMB. We have plenty of restaurants and bars and nightclubs to visit right now without one next door. Some of us might attend a wedding or function that this facility offers on a rare occasion but we will not reap any tax benefits. If the property retains its residential status and a developer is found to utilize the property in that fashion the maximum number of units that the property can house will be 35 per acre or 350 units. The proposed hotel complex will probably house that many plus an additional 400 for the out front ballroom complex. The increased traffic will be quite detrimental to the Dixie Highway area to our immediate north especially when trains delay the traffic movement and a function is in progress.there. There may be substantial noise even beyond the eighteen month construction period from guest revelers. You may have a different take on all this but I urge you to voice your opinions loud and early in this process before it moves beyond your abilities to pursuade those with power. Write to Lantana’s Councilmen or its mayor, talk to Lantana residents, write a letter to the editor.
Thanks for your efforts and considerations.Created on ... March 26, 2009