The Palm Beach County Zoning Commission on Nov. 7 recommended approval of revisions to the Palm Beach County Unified Land Development Code that consolidate the commercial (permanent) green market use with the temporary green market use and shift approvals toward administrative DRO review. Alex Byray, senior site planner in the zoning division, told the commission the change is intended to reduce burdensome site-plan modifications for markets operating in existing commercial plazas and to allow temporary-use approvals similar to a special permit to operate from six to 12 months per year.

Byray said the consolidated temporary-use category will continue to allow, in other circumstances, ‘‘permanent’’ green markets that may operate on any three days of the week regardless of weekends or federal holidays, and that accessory markets tied to community vegetable gardens in the Westgate Community Redevelopment Area or countywide community revitalization team areas will be handled under the DRO process. Byray noted the proposed revisions implement prior Board of County Commissioners direction to streamline the code and provide more flexibility.

During questions, staff explained the operational difference between approvals that "run with the land" (class A/B public hearing approvals) and temporary-use or special-permit approvals, which are a relationship between the market operator and the property owner and do not necessarily run with the land. Jerome Martin of the zoning division explained the consolidation of two previously differing definitions and that removing the word "primarily" from the definition was intended to avoid a more restrictive reading under state law.

A commissioner moved to approve item 2 and to transmit a recommendation that the zoning commission, serving as the land development regulation commission under Florida statute 163.3194, find the ULDC revisions consistent with the comprehensive plan; the motions were seconded and approved by the commission.

Staff recommended approval and noted that at the Oct. 23, 2025 Board of County Commissioners zoning hearing the BCC had approved permission to advertise for final adoption by a 5-0 vote.