Future residents of the planned Artistry Lakes community will now be able to call Wellington their hometown.
The Wellington Village Council approved a series of measures that formally incorporate the land into the village at a meeting on Tuesday, March 10. With no current registered voters on the site, the council was able to use an involuntary annexation process without holding a referendum.
Developers from Kolter Homes, who own the 446-acre property, plan to create a gated community with 579 single-family homes.
“These residents, who are going to be there, are now going to have the opportunity to take the items that are associated with being in Wellington, to come to this great community, and be part of it,” said Ken Tuma of Urban Design Studio, who spoke on behalf of the developer.
Originally, Palm Beach County approved the land for a planned unit development with single-family homes, workforce housing units and some commercial areas. Those plans were changed after Wellington began its annexation process. The workforce housing was removed from the project. In its place, developers paid the village $1 million, which the council can use for other Wellington housing projects.
Since the annexation’s first reading, some residents from the adjacent Arden community have asked for developers to look into making a connection between them and Artistry Lakes. Both communities exit onto Southern Blvd., which has created some concerns. If the road were to shut down, as has happened before due to accidents, residents have limited options to exit the neighborhood.
“There has to be some kind of way for people to get out,” said Sue Ellen Loyzelle, a resident of Arden.
Tuma explained that the developer cannot support cross-connections between two gated neighborhoods.
“We can’t and will not make a connection in the middle of the property between two residential projects,” Tuma said.
Any other connection point on the frontage part of the property will have to go through platted land or designated open space. However, there are plans to create an entrance and exit point at Okeechobee Blvd. when that road is extended to both Artistry Lakes and Arden.
“Ultimately, the solution here is very obvious, and that’s Okeechobee Blvd.,” said Bryan Kelley of the engineering firm Simmons & White, said. “There’s right-of-way dedicated for both Artistry Lakes, Arden and that future Okeechobee Blvd extension.”
With limited options and other plans to give more exit options for residents in those neighborhoods, the council unanimously passed three ordinances and a resolution related to the annexation of Artistry Lakes.
In other business:
- The council tabled a resolution to their next meeting that would oppose Project Tango, a large AI data center project planned west of the Arden community near Wellington.
Council members explained that they oppose the project but would like more time to create a resolution with clearer, more defined language.
“I think we’re on board with the concept of passing a resolution opposing this at this location,” Mayor Michael Napoleone said. “It’s just a matter of how we wordsmith that opposition.”
- Village Manager Jim Barnes announced the village will be holding a farewell gathering for departing Councilman John McGovern and Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind on Monday, March 23 at 5 p.m. at Wellington Village Hall.
