Delray Beach commissioners on Tuesday approved an amended version of the plan that will transform the West Atlantic Corridor.
The Set Transformation Plan, which has been developed over the course of 30 years by neighborhood residents and stakeholders, aims to bring community-minded growth to the historic Black neighborhood. The amended version of the plan that city commissioners approved provides flexibility to the implementation strategy, allowing for updates that can be made without changing the master plan.
The implementation plan has been crafted over months with guidance from Set residents. During public comment, many of these residents spoke in favor of adoption of the amended plan.
“The Set Transformation Plan is more than a plan,” said one speaker. “It’s a promise. A promise that this neighborhood can develop without displacing legacy residents.”
The Set Transformation Plan will extend the city’s business district from downtown to I-95 and includes plans for development of affordable housing and commercial redevelopment.
Delray Beach extends parking pilot program
A pilot program for employees of Downtown Delray Beach that was launched last year has been extended indefinitely by the city commission.
The program allows employees of downtown restaurants to buy a $10 monthly parking permit in lieu of paying hourly parking rates. Employers can set up auto-renewal for employees. The permits are valid for any city-managed lot or garage.
The program began last October and was given a six-month trial period. Since then, more than 17,000 permits have been issued and parking citations have decreased. With the extension of the program, city staff will provide updates every six months and commissioners can elect to terminate or continue the program.
Carney Versus the DDA, Again
Delray Beach city commissioners on Tuesday approved the creation of a Beautification Task Force for downtown. It was not easy.
City commissioners were confused by opposition to the task force by Mayor Tom Carney. Carney took issue with language within the resolution that he argued would put the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)—the organization responsible for marketing Downtown Delray—in charge of the task force.
“It’s a citizen-driven, not DDA-driven deal,” he said.
It’s unclear what level of separation Carney is looking for with the task force. He expressed interest in DDA input but didn’t want them in charge. But any actionable insights gleaned from the task force would ultimately be put in front of the City Commission. Nowhere in the resolution language did it say that the DDA would lead the task force, which would also be appointed by the commission.
After a lengthy battle over semantics, during which time DDA Executive Director Laura Simon was called to the lectern and reiterated that the DDA would just be a partner (“Where this is coming from I’m not sure,” she said), Commissioner Angela Burns raised the point that the goal of the task force is already within the purview of the DDA. Other members of the City Commission, who don’t share Carney’s ire of the agency, agreed. The motion to approve the creation of the task force was denied.
The DDA will now take the reins of the task force and will be present a master plan to the city commission for approval.
Final Report for Boca Mayoral Race Financing
Boca Raton’s 2026 mayoral race was the most expensive in city history.
Per final campaign financing reports, Mike Liebelson raised $407,500; Fran Nachlas raised $514,000; and Andy Thomson—who defeated Liebelson by five votes—raised $485,000. Liebelson’s campaign was largely self-financed with $300,000 provided by himself. Thomson received the most political action committee money, $330,000. The campaigns totaled out at more than $1.4 million.
Join Boca Raton’s Upcoming Turtle Walks and Hatchling Release Programs
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from May 26 to July 2, the community is invited to join Boca Raton city staff in observing loggerhood sea turtle nests along the beach.
The turtle walks are hosted from 8:45 p.m. to midnight. Registration is $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents.
The city will also host hatchling release programs where residents can watch as staff releases rescued sea turtles back into the sea. Hatchling releases are Monday through Thursday from July 13 to Aug. 6 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. and Aug. 10 to Aug. 27 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here.
Delray Beach Loses Battle Over Banyan Tree
The Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) has voted to remove a 75-year-old banyan tree from Delray’s main municipal golf course.
The district argued that the tree’s collapse would effectively dam a canal and cause widespread flooding. Delray Beach commissioners appealed the removal last month. Despite an arborist report and trimming of the tree, the LWDD issued a final vote to have it removed. The city has until July 1 to remove the tree.
Delray Again Nominated for Best Beach
Delray Beach’s municipal beach has once again been nominated for best in Florida.
Nominated for “Best Beach in Florida” in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, the city aims to defend its title for a third consecutive year. Click here to cast your vote in support. Votes can be cast once every 24 hours through May 18.
The win would be another feather in the cap of the city’s municipal beach, which won the Blue Flag designation for two consecutive years. It is one of three Blue Flag-certified beaches in the continental U.S.
