Page 14 - Boca Club News - March '23

Page 14, Boca Club News
From the Desk of County Commissioner

Marci Woodward:

A Message from Marci

Commissioner Woodward, a 20-year This experience provided a greater appreciation of the Palm Beach County’s Comprehensive Plan?” Palm
resident of Boca Raton, was elected challenges faced by these brave men and women. I am Beach County’s Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) is a
in November 2022 as Palm Beach proud to report we are in very capable hands with our first state-required legal document containing principles and
County District 4 Commissioner. responders. strategies for our county’s future development and land
She serves on the following board PBFR is one of the largest fire departments in the state use.
of directors as a representative of Florida. In addition to fire and/or medical emergencies, The Board of County Commissioners meets quarterly to
of the county commission: Palm personnel are trained to respond to hazardous materials/ discuss the Comp Plan that provides a roadmap for future
Beach Transportation Planning conditions, plane crashes, aircraft emergencies, active development of the county.
Agency; South Florida Regional shooter incidents, chemical and fuel spills and animal The Comp Plan identifies land as being used for
Transportation Authority (TriRail); Treasure Coast rescues. purposes such as residential, commercial, industrial,
Regional Planning Council; CareerSource Palm Beach Billie Jean Cup. Congratulations to the Palm Beach institutional, recreational, agricultural, and conservation. It
County; Palm Beach Cultural Council, and Value County Sports Commission for winning the bid to host also provides the maximum densities for residential areas
Adjustment Board. Ms. Woodward graduated from the the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup at the Delray and the allowable intensities of commercial and industrial
University of South Carolina-Aiken with a Bachelor’s Beach Tennis Center on April 14th-15th. I look forward areas.
Degree in Fine Arts. to welcoming the best players from around the world, Another important component are the fifteen elements,
I am pleased to report the traffic switch to the new including hometown player Coco Gauff. including future land use, transportation, coastal
bridge on Palmetto Park Road over the El Rio Canal We are proud of our sports commission for attracting management, library services and more. These sections
occurred on January 31st. sporting events and activities to the county that enhance reflect the goals, objectives and policies for implementation
The contractor has been scheduled to begin the economic impact, stimulate bed tax revenues and by the commission. All development proposals must be
demolition of the remaining existing bridge and to begin maximize utilization of county facilities. found consistent with the Comp Plan in order to obtain
construction on the new section. The project is expected The Billie Jean King Cup is the world’s largest women’s approval from the commission.
to be completed by August 2023. international sports competition, with more than 100 If a proposed development is inconsistent with the
This month I continued to tour county facilities, nations competing yearly. plan, an amendment to the Comp Plan may be approved
including Mounts Botanical Gardens, Green Cay and Nonprofit Spotlight: Habitat for Humanity. I recently to ensure consistency. If a required amendment fails, the
Wakodahatchee Wetlands and Delray Oaks Natural Area. attended the Habitat for Humanity Greater Palm Beach project cannot proceed as proposed. Comp Plan hearings
These facilities are open to the public and offer unique County Women Build Kick-off Reception that was held to are publicly advertised, and the public is welcome to attend
experiences. I highly recommend everyone to visit. encourage women to proactively serve their community. and speak.
I also received numerous presentations from various Habitat for Humanity works in more than 70 countries The meetings are held at the Robert Weisman Palm
departments, including Youth and Community Services, and has helped over 39 million people improve their Beach County Governmental Center, 301 N. Olive Ave.,
Palm Tran, Environmental Resource Management, and living conditions since 1976. Their mission involves the sixth floor, West Palm Beach, on the following dates:
Parks and Recreation. collaboration of local volunteers and partners focused on • May 5th, at 9:30 a.m.
These presentations are key to understanding their providing accessible, affordable and safe homes. • August 30th, at 9:30 a.m.
functions and services, especially in support of our They also address policy reform to remove systemic • November 1st, at 9:30 a.m.
constituents. In future newsletters, we will highlight barriers preventing low-income and historically If you have any questions about the Comprehensive
various county departments and the services they provide. underserved families from accessing adequate, affordable Plan, contact the Planning Division at (561) 233-5300.
As always, I am here to assist, so feel free to email me shelter. For more information, visit www.habitat.org. If you require assistance, please contact our office at
at mwoodward@pbcgov.org or call (561) 355-2204. Also, Local Government 101. “So…, What Exactly is (561) 355-2204 or email Mwoodward@pbcgov.org.
please follow me on social media for regular updates and
happenings in Palm Beach County.
Road Safety Improvements. The county’s Engineering
and Public Works Department recently conducted a study
for a traffic signal at the entrance of Boardwalk in Boca
Raton on SW 18th Street. This was in response to residents’
concerns for their safety due to several tragic car accidents.
We are pleased to announce that a traffic signal was
warranted and recently approved by the commission.
Construction is expected to begin in mid-March and will
be completed within eight months.
Fire Fighter for a Day. I recently had the opportunity
to participate in Fire Ops 101 Training with the county’s
Fire Rescue (PBFR) Department at their training center
in West Palm Beach.
From extricating a vehicle passenger with the “jaws
of life” to responding to the scene of an active shooter, I
was carefully guided through a number of scenarios by
seasoned emergency professionals.