South Palm Beach, Florida

History

The Town of South Palm Beach was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1955, with several condominium buildings and four single-family homes. Many condominiums were constructed, contributing to the town's growth in the early 1970s. The fire station served for town meetings until 1993, when a town hall was built.

Geography

South Palm Beach is bordered to the north by the Town of Palm Beach; to the east by the Atlantic Ocean; to the west by the Intracoastal waterway (known locally as the Lake Worth Lagoon); and on the south by the town of Manalapan as well as Lantana's public beach.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.9 km2, of which 0.3 km2 is land and 0.5 km2 (60.61%) is water.

Climate

The Town of South Palm Beach has a tropical climate, similar to the conditions found in much of the Caribbean. It is part of the only region in the 48 contiguous states that falls under that category. More specifically, it generally has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification: Aw), bordering a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification: Am).

Shore stabilization

Development in the southern part of Palm Beach Island and storm impacts on the coastal system have irreparably transformed the native beach and dune system in areas R-132 to R-138, with an average shoreline recession of 198 ft.

From 2003 to 2016, there were six shoreline and dune restoration projects for the town's beach. However, there was nothing to hold the shoreline and dunes in place, and with a nearly wholly armored shoreline, a more long-term solution was needed.

Since 2007, Palm Beach County has completed several engineering studies to evaluate long-term erosion control alternatives, including doing nothing.

The Town of Palm Beach completed its beach nourishment projects in 2016, pronouncing its "coastline is in pretty good shape." No shore stabilization work was performed in South Palm Beach. Plans called for a $5.6 million "Southern Palm Beach Island Comprehensive Shore Stabilization Project" during 2019 and 2020 that was designed to rebuild about 0.67 miles of the town's shoreline. In early 2019, the County determined that the project was "cost prohibitive" and officially withdrew a request for the needed permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

With assistance from the Town of Palm Beach, a smaller beach nourishment option by trucking sand to feed the eroding town's beachfront may be possible in early 2019. After more than ten years and a devastated shoreline - with several properties only having seawalls remaining against the ocean waves - rather than a beach stabilization project, a restoration of the beach by trucking in sand was conducted in 2021.

A feasibility study and extensive engineering analysis indicated a series of seven low-profile groins with beach dune fill components providing a more stable shoreline with less frequent sand placement. Nevertheless, the trend is at a breaking point for historic coastal development with continuing extensive coastal armoring of existing structures.

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, 1,471 people, 1,028 households, and 420 families reside in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, 1,171 people, 763 households, and 385 families residing in the town.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,531 residents in 453 households and 196 families residing in the town. The population density was 5,204.3 PD/sqmi. There were 872 housing units at an average density of 6,492.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.28% White (97% were Non-Hispanic White), 0.14% Native American, and 0.57% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.29% of the population.

In 2000, there were 453 households out of which 2.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 56.7% were non-families. Households consisting of individuals were 52.1%, and 28.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.54, and the average family size was 2.14.

n 2000, the population age distribution in the town was spread out, with 2.6% under the age of 18, 1.4% between 18 and 24, 11.3% between 25 and 44, 30.5% between 45 and 64, and 54.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 67 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.0 males.

As of 2000, the median household income in the town was US$39,375, and the median family income was $47,250. Males had a median income of $41,591 versus $30,536 for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,456. About 15.3% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2000, English was the first language spoken by 92.96% of residents, Finnish by 3.90%, and French as a mother tongue made up 3.12% of the population.

Economy

Business

Initially built in 1964, the Polynesian-inspired, 58-room Palm Beach Oceanfront Inn and its ocean-front restaurant Tides Bar and Grille, located at 3550 South Ocean Boulevard, made up the only commercial business establishment within the town of South Palm Beach. It was described as "one of the last vestiges of old Florida along A1A."

Kosova Realty bought the inn for $3.3 million in 2002. It was renamed to Palm Beach Oceanfront Inn. Known to locals by its former name, the Hawaiian Inn, the two-story motel lost most of its beach during Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and was not being maintained.

A proposal by the Paloka family-owned-and-operated realty company to replace the inn with a luxury resort-style 12-story condominium-hotel built over two stories of parking was unanimously rejected by the South Palm Beach Town Council in October 2007. The established comprehensive plan limits new buildings to six stories over one level of parking.

On September 18, 2009, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council meeting expressed concerns about the redevelopment. It was recommended that the Town of Palm Beach respond to citizens' negative opinions before adopting the amendments and ensure that development approval conditions address problems with the use, height limits, and negative impacts on the beaches.

The Paloka family tried to change the town codes to allow a bigger building such as a 14-story condominium and "were willing to build the town a public safety building and new town hall to sweeten the deal." They increased business at the property during 2011 and were planning capital improvements, but foreclosure proceedings began. Kosova Realty filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2012.

In November 2012, the operation was purchased by Paragon Acquisition Group of Boca Raton, a distressed property development company, with plans to improve and revive the facility and "possibility of a development project in the future." DDG then partnered with investor Gary Cohen of Paragon on the development. According to the CEO of developer DDG, Joseph A. McMillan Jr., in 2012 a DDG affiliate paid $8.25 million for the 1.1 acre site. Although the property has received minor renovations and is being managed as a hotel and restaurant, the long-term prospects for it are for condominiums according to the CEO of Paragon.

The current zoning for oceanfront property in the town allows 33 units per acre, while a more dense project would require a referendum. Plans by DDG were announced for 30 residential units to be built above a one-story parking garage. The old motel and restaurant on the site were demolished in April 2016. Marketing for the new 30-unit building featured amenities such as a concierge service, a dog park, and a private jet service. In June 2018, the building "officially topped out, reaching its full height of seven stories." September 2019 marked the completion of the building.

References

References

1. "Timeline of Municipalities". Palm Beach County History Online.
2. "South Palm Beach: History". Palm Beach County History Online.
3. "Municipal Directory: Town of South Palm Beach". www.floridaleagueofcities.com.
4. "Florida Cities by Incorporation Year with Incorporation & Dissolution Info". floridaleagueofcities.com.
5. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
6. "U.S. Census website".
7. {{GNIS. 2407372
8. "Köppen Climate Classification Map: South Florida=Am/Aw=tropical wet & dry".
9. (2020). "Balancing Act - An analysis of historical shoreline recession and the need to equitably consider impacts to the coastal system in Palm Beach County". Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management.
10. Seltzer, Alexandra. (September 5, 2018). "County asks state for $7.6 million to help 'critically eroded' beaches". The Palm Beach Post.
11. "Southern Palm Beach Island Comprehensive Shoreline Stabilization Project". Town of Palm Beach.
12. Kopf, Aleese. (September 3, 2016). "Coastal projects: Major sand dredging in rear-view mirror". The Palm Beach Daily News.
13. Moffett, Dan. (February 27, 2019). "South Palm Beach: Beach project appears dead after County backs out". The Coastal Star.
14. Moffett, Dan. (September 5, 2019). "South Palm Beach: Long-awaited beach renourishment could take place in April". The Coastal Star.
15. (April 28, 2021). "South Palm Beach: Joy, relief greet long-awaited dune restoration on beach". The Coastal Star.
16. "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau.
17. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - South Palm Beach town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
18. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and not Hispanic or Latino by Race- 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - South Palm Beach town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
19. "S1101 HHourseholrs and Families - 2020: South Palm Beach town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
20. "S1101 Households and Families - 2010: South Palm Beach town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
21. "Demographics of South Palm Beach, FL".
22. "MLA Data Center Results for South Palm Beach, Florida". Modern Language Association.
23. Rogers, David. (October 30, 2007). "South Palm Beach board to tackle Oceanfront Inn plan". The Palm Beach Daily News.
24. "Former Palm Beach Hawaiian Ocean Inn to be razed for six-story condo". The Palm Beach Post.
25. Miller, Kimberly. (January 15, 2013). "South Palm Beach oceanfront hotel sells for $8 million". The Palm Beach Post.
26. Felker, Chris. (October 1, 2014). "South Palm Beach: Locals say aloha to former 'Hawaiian' Inn". The Coastal Star.
27. Kacoha, Margie. (November 1, 2007). "South Palm Beach rejects plan to redo inn". The Palm Beach Daily News.
28. Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. (September 18, 2009). "Draft Amendments to the Town of South Palm Beach Comprehensive Plan DCA Reference No. 09-1".
29. Roach, Emily. (January 30, 2012). "South Palm Beach's Oceanfront Inn for sale". South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
30. "Kosova Realty Corp Bankruptcy (9:12-bk-15431), Florida Southern Bankruptcy Court".
31. O'Meilia, Tim. (December 2012). "New inn owner wants 'neighborly' update to hotel". The Coastal Star.
32. Hofheinz, Darrell. (November 16, 2016). "Planned beachfront condo near Palm Beach launches revamped website". The Palm Beach Daily News.
33. Huriash, Lisa J.. (October 11, 2018). "Need a lift? New luxury South Palm Beach condos will provide private jet service". South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
34. (August 1, 2018). "The Closing: Joe McMillan". The Real Deal.
35. Smith, Jane. (January 2014). "Hawaiian' sees upgrades under new owners". The Coastal Star.
36. Doris, Tony. "Aloha to good times; former Hawaiian Inn demolished". The Palm Beach Post.
37. Clough, Alexandra. (May 16, 2016). "New luxury condo to rise in South Palm Beach". The Palm Beach Post.
38. "3550 South Ocean". DDG Partners.
39. Gambrell, Holly. (June 14, 2018). "Palm Beach's 3550 South Ocean Condo Tops Out, Development Progresses". The Palm Beacher.
40. (September 17, 2019). "Oceanfront Condo In A Decade Celebrates Completion". ABC 7.