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ITEM: ORDINANCE NO. 2025-06 (WELLINGTON’S MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS PRESERVE (SECTION 24) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT [CPA])
AN ORDINANCE OF WELLINGTON, FLORIDA’S COUNCIL, APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP (FLUM) OF WELLINGTON’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, (PETITION NUMBER 2025-0001-CPA), TO MODIFY THE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY, KNOWN AS WELLINGTON’S MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS PRESERVE (SECTION 24), FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY RURAL RESIDENTIAL 10 (RR/10) TO WELLINGTON’S CONSERVATION LAND USE DESIGNATION, TOTALING 363 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF FLYING COW ROAD, APPROXIMATELY 3.25 MILES SOUTH OF THE SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, AS MORE SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED HEREIN; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
REQUEST: Approval of Ordinance No. 2025-06, a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, to amend the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designation of Wellington’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas Preserve (Section 24) from Palm Beach County Rural Residential 10 (RR/10) to Wellington Conservation (CN).
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EXPLANATION: The Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat (Section 24) is a 365-acre rainwater storage area with nature trails and learning centers located on the west side of Flying Cow Road, approximately 3.25 miles south of Southern Blvd. It was built through a partnership between the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Wellington. In compliance with the 1994 Everglades Forever Act, rainwater from Wellington must be cleansed of phosphorus before it enters the Florida Everglades. The southern half of Wellington (Basin B) has 9,230 acres of stormwater runoff (rainwater) that is now routed west to Section 24. It leaves Section 24 via the C-1 canal heading north to the C-51 canal that runs along SR 80 before finally entering the Everglades.
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Preserve (Section 24) has been designated on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) as Palm Beach County Rural Residential 10 (RR/10) since purchase and development. This proposed amendment changes the FLUM designation to Wellington’s Conservation (CN). This request aims to align the Conservation (CN) designation with the existing Zoning designation for the property, Community Facilities. This request will also further Wellington’s long-term sustainability goals and ensuring environmental preservation goals, objectives, and policies of Wellington’s Comprehensive Plan.
The Planning, Zoning, and Adjustment Board recommended approval of Ordinance No. 2025-06 with a 6-0 vote at the April 16th meeting.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: NO
PUBLIC HEARING: YES QUASI-JUDICIAL: NO
FIRST READING: YES SECOND READING:
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: YES
FISCAL IMPACT: NO
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Ordinance No. 2025-06, a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to amend the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designation of Wellington’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas Preserve (Section 24) from Palm Beach County Rural Residential 10 (RR/10) to Wellington Conservation (CN).