Palm Coast City Council heard a presentation by representatives of the developer and city staff regarding the projected project Old Kings Village which will be a neighboring community to the Polo Club off of South Old Kings Rd. This development was approved years ago by Flagler County in the early 2000’s. The rezoning plan would cap the development at 210 single family homes with 36,000 Sq. ft. of Commercial 2 zoning. The original zoning plan was for single family homes and commercial 1 zoning.
During public comment on the issue, it was noted that many of the residents in the Polo Club area do not feel that the currently plans for the new development are compatible to the area. The Polo Club residents have retained a lawyer to represent them in this matter, to help negotiate with the developer and their lawyer. The developer’s lawyer, part of Chimento Law, stated that ,”This project has been on the books for decades.”
Pontieri questioned how staff was able to determine the compatibility of this project and the requested changes to zoning. She was assured by representatives of the developer and city staff that it was indeed determined to be compatible. Pontieri stated that her opinion was that this change in the zoning was not compatible to the general area. Heighter also echoed this sentiment when she stated that council needed to look at it from the perspective of the Polo Club Residents. Heighter stated her lack of comfort on the subject, but ultimately voted yes in the end. Klufas stated that he agreed with Heighter’s opinion, but he also believed that land owners have rights and those rights should be taken into account. Klufas also ultimately voted yes on the matter.
Mayor Alfin commented that the Polo Club and it’s residents are not in Palm Coast, but in the unincorporated area of Flagler County, and this new development is now part of the incorporated City of Palm Coast. He also stated he was unsure of the security issues that residents of the Polo Club brought up in their public comments.
It was then that residents spoke out about the change in zoning for the commercial area, changing the zoning from Commercial One to Commercial Two. Commercial one is the most limited version of commercial zoning, and according to City Staff, it is the most compatible for Neighborhoods. The developer requested commercial Two zoning which allows more varieties of businesses in the commercial area. Pontieri stated her disagreement with this change in the zoning and recommended that the issue be tabled or denied. Ultimately the re-zoning passed the first of two votes 4-1 with Pontieri being the only no vote. The re-zoning plans will be sent to the State, where it will be reviewed and sent back with comments. At that time the city council can put it back on the agenda for a second vote where it can be passed or denied.
