The Palm Beach County Commission has delayed its decision to change development rules at the county’s Agricultural Reserve.
The commission voted to hold a round-table discussion later this summer that will focus on ways to help small farmers, including possibly allowing development of the area, according to the Palm Beach Post.
On one side, some small farmers argue that allowing development would give them new opportunities and increase their property value.
“When (potential) buyers understand the restrictions the Ag Reserve places on our land, their interest quickly fades,’’ said Betty Logan, who is trying to sell her 40-acre nursery.
But preservationist content that the 22,000-acre reserve was created to promote agriculture, not development.
“It’s not the county’s job to maximize retirements for farmers,’’ said Lisa Interlandi, an attorney for the Everglades Law Center. [PBP] – Christopher Cameron