Riviera Beach rejects request for expanded boat repair operations along its waterfront
RIVIERA BEACH — Riviera Beach has rejected a request from marina operator and boat repairer Safe Harbor for zoning changes that would have cleared the path for its expanded operations at the city waterfront.
The 3-2 vote last week by the Riviera Beach City Council to reject the zoning requests was the second high-profile setback in the past two months for Safe Harbor, whose bid to build a marina along West Palm Beach's waterfront was not accepted by that city.
West Palm Beach chose to negotiate with City Harbor LLC for the construction of a marina but changed course and shelved the idea amid intense public opposition.
Public opposition also helped derail Safe Harbor's plans in Riviera Beach though the company can modify its requests and have those plans considered when the city council meets Sept. 27. Safe Harbor had proposed to operate a boat repair and maintenance business on portions of a 21.8-acre tract east of Broadway, south of East 22nd Court, west of Avenue B and north of East 21st Street.
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Richard Pinsky, a lobbyist representing Safe Harbor, said the plan would be a boon to Riviera Beach that would bring 350 jobs to the city and generate $420,000 per year in annual property tax revenue.
"Safe Harbor had other choices up the road, actually," Pinsky told Riviera Beach City Council members. "We convinced Safe Harbor that Riviera Beach was going to be the best place to land to develop their international headquarters for a superyacht repair facility."
Safe Harbor had a stream of supporters, including some who worked for the company, speak up in favor of the plan.
"There is a clear-cut economic advantage that this project brings to the table," said Noel Martinez, president and chief executive officer of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.
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Riviera Beach resident Fredrick James said the project "spearheads and it is the prime example of what we are to expect and create the face of the new Riviera Beach."
But some residents whose homes are near where Safe Harbor planned to operate opposed the idea.
"This will harm our neighborhood," said Brandy Davis, who lives in Lakeview Park. "That is clear. This will bring industrial. Someone said this will put Riviera Beach on the map. Riviera Beach is already on the map for industrial."
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Another Lakeview Park resident, Julie Logsdon, joined in opposition to Safe Harbor's plans. She rebuked the company for having employees speak in favor of its plan.
"I certainly hope you all aren't fooled by this dog-and-pony show because I'm offended, personally," she told council members.
Commissioners, who had asked questions during Safe Harbor's presentation, didn't discuss it further before voting it down.
Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Riviera Beach rejects Safe Harbor bid to expand boat repair operation
