Two West Palm Beach city commissioners tried unsuccessfully to reverse Mayor Keith James’ effort to shrink Palm Beach Atlantic University’s planned parking garage and restore its original 11-story height.
The effort ultimately failed, and commissioners ended up voting 3-1 Sept. 29 to tentatively approve the shorter, 9-story garage along South Dixie Highway.
PBAU representatives had said in April that building an 11-story garage was necessary to ensure enough parking to accommodate the school’s planned growth and the construction of a 25-story dormitory tower.
Commissioners unanimously approved the request. But after blistering criticism from James, who derided the massive garage as a “monstrosity,” the school agreed to lower its height and reduce the number of parking spaces.
On Sept. 29, the school asked commissioners to approve new plans that lowered the height to nine stories. The shorter garage will have 703 spaces instead of the original 888.
Commissioner Joe Peduzzi pushed to block that reduction but at the same time skewered the university, accusing its representatives of making conflicting claims about their parking needs.
“It seemed (in April) that the university and the supporters were adamant that this was necessary, absolutely necessary,” he said. “And If I remember correctly people testified under oath that it was absolutely necessary.”
But, he added, “here we are today with a reduced structure.”
PBAU plans to break ground on residence hall Oct. 8
Harvey Oyer, a planning attorney representing the university, said the school could use the extra parking but that school leaders were balancing that need with their desire to be a good community partner.
He said the school’s need for parking would increase gradually, and the school was willing to explore other options in the meantime.
Commissioner Shalonda Warren echoed Peduzzi’s concerns, saying “I’m not understanding the reduction” and arguing that commissioners had received “conflicting” information from school representatives and staff.
Oyer said that the university was open to either option.
An initial vote to approve the 9-story plan failed. But after a lengthy debate it was approved on a second vote.
The garage plans face a final vote in upcoming weeks.
The school is planning a formal groundbreaking for its 25-story residence hall, which will accommodate 990 students, on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Andrew Marra is a reporter at The Palm Beach Post. Reach him at amarra@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm commissioners’ effort to raise PBAU parking garage back to 11 stories fails
Reporting by Andrew Marra, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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