VOTE411 Voter Guide

Ballot LanguageIn order to encourage private investment in and redevelopment of City-owned property and reduce the City’s maintenance costs of City facilities, shall Article II, Section 3 of the City of Lake Worth Beach Charter be amended to allow City-property East of A1A to be leased for up to 99 years for purposes other than lodging and residential uses?SynopsisThis referendum is aimed at encouraging investment for redevelopment at the City’s municipal beach complex in the hope of bringing in new revenue streams.The initiative would allow leases for up to 99 years for City-owned property east of A1A without a majority vote of city residents, which is currently required. Currently, the City Charter limits such leases to less than 30 years in that area without a majority vote of city residents, a time frame officials say discourages developers from participating. Major developers often require longer lease terms to secure bank financing for projects.The initiative does not refer to any specific project, although some have been proposed in the past for the City’s oceanfront, including a Hyatt hotel and a Jack Nicklaus-redesigned golf course. This referendum prohibits any hotels or residential uses.Yes - For the Measure Means:If voters accept the referendum, the City would be able to lease property it owns within the municipal beach complex for private redevelopment for up to 99 years without a majority vote of its citizens. It would continue to own the property, but would collect lease payments as part of a public-private partnership.No - Against the Measure Means:If voters reject the referendum, the City would retain the current Charter language, which says any lease of City-owned property east of A1A within the municipal beach complex would remain at less than 30 years unless approved by the currently required citizen vote.