In 1979, the Poinciana Plaza owner and the Town of Palm Beach struck an agreement on the use of the Poinciana Plaza. That agreement is in force today. Provisions include a unity of title clause and a condition that “the space now occupied and used by the Poinciana Theater” can only be used as a theater of the “performing and/or visual arts and for lectures or other special events.” Any revision of the 1979 agreement must be approved by the Palm Beach Town Council.
In 2008, a group of Palm Beach residents conducted a successful petition drive for a referendum that, if passed, would require voter approval of any alterations to the 1979 agreement. The constitutionality of this referendum is being considered by the court. On November 9, 2009, Judge Crow declared the proposed referendum unconstitutional becasue the 1979 zoning agreement between the Town and the Royal Poinciana Plaza owners was a development order covering fewer than five parcels, which is immune from referendums under state statute. Preserve Palm Beach appealed and that is still in process.
Preserve Palm Beach conducted another successful petition drive for a referendum to if passed, would require voter approval before any landmarked "public or private group use" structures" could be stripped of their historic designation and demolished. The Town Council will consider the referendum in upcoming Council meetings to be put on a ballot.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
Civic Association members are encouraged to comment on issues. These comments can be read by any visitor to our website but only members can comment at this time.
If you are a member of the Civic Association, enter your email address that you have given to the Civic Association and a password will be sent automatically to your email inbox. Once you have the password, you can enter comments on any Issue page. Return to the screen below and enter your email and the new password that was sent to you.
The Civic Association encourages thoughtful and civil viewpoints expressed about all sides of an issue. We do not accept anonymous or inappropriate comments. We will delete them. If you see such comments, please report them to us at MikeBrown@PalmBeachCivic.org
Sample Viewpoints:
#1: Voters should have the final say in whatever happens to the Poinciana Plaza and the Poinciana Theater.
#2: Voters elect the Mayor and Town Council to be their representatives. They study the issues on behalf of residents. In addition, members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission are charged with protecting important Town structures. These Town officials are best equipped to make important decisions on the future of the Plaza
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