The Boynton Beach City Commission voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to approve three linked first‑reading land‑use applications from High Ridge Country Club that would convert roughly 64.42 acres of low‑density residential land to recreation, rezone the southern portion of the property to recreation, and abandon a portion of Northwest 7th Court right‑of‑way.

Applicant representative Julia Gaffney told the commission the applications are intended to allow expansion of the existing golf course within the club’s current property boundaries. Gaffney said the portion of right‑of‑way under consideration is a gravel, gated route used only for water and sewer utilities and that the club proposes to provide a 20‑foot utility easement to the city to accommodate an existing 12‑inch water main and a 6‑inch force main.

Multiple nearby residents spoke in the public hearing. Resident Kelly Shulo said she supports the project but asked the city and applicant to preserve an existing green space with native species, noting nesting raptors and an “established small population” of endangered butterflies and requesting environmental protections. Susan Oyer raised an unresolved art‑ordinance issue from a prior country‑club remodel and asked that compliance with the city’s art‑in‑public‑places requirements be made a condition of approval. Another resident asked whether the zoning change would affect property taxes.

The commission voted separately on each item — FLUM amendment (proposed ordinance 25‑042), rezoning (25‑043) and right‑of‑way abandonment (25‑044) — and each passed on first reading by unanimous roll call. Staff and the applicant said there would be no public access impacts and that the changes are intended to prevent future non‑club development within the site.

Next steps: Each ordinance will return for the required subsequent reading(s) and codification; staff and the applicant should address the public’s requests for conditions related to art‑ordinance compliance and environmental protections during final design and permitting.