By Christopher Vargas
Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 25, the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission supported a plan by the NRI Institute of Health Sciences to take over an existing office building at 1402 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Building 600.
The application requested special exception use approval to allow a “public or private academic institution” within the office commercial zoning district. After their review, the commissioners approved the item, recognizing its potential to enhance educational opportunities in the area.
Royal Palm Beach Senior Planner Josue Leger made a presentation on behalf of the village.
While NRI’s current facility is at the south end of Royal Palm Beach Blvd., the nursing school is planning an extension campus at an existing building in the Lakeview Center office park, located north of Okeechobee Blvd. behind the Crossroads Plaza.
“The NRI Institute of Health Sciences plans to use the building as an extension campus for classrooms and offices,” Leger explained, adding that village staff recommended approval of the application.
Leger said the application fits with the village’s development standards for the office commercial zoning district and is not expected to have any adverse traffic impacts or impact any nearby residential communities. The previous use of the building served a medical-related purpose.
“We have been in Royal Palm Beach since our founding 13 years ago, and the purchase/acquisition of this building is just evidence of our further commitment to remaining and growing in Royal Palm Beach,” NRI founder and CEO Dan Splain said.
Commissioner Andrew Alba made a motion to approve the special exception use, seconded by Commission Alternate Christopher Butler. The motion passed unanimously.
In other business:
- Royal Palm Floors Supply at 11378 Okeechobee Blvd. received approval for a comprehensive store redesign aimed at enhancing both aesthetics and functionality, including repainting the existing building.
- The Wingstop restaurant in the Crossroads Plaza, located at the intersection of Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards, was granted approval to update and modernize its signage to improve visibility and brand recognition.
- Costco, located at 11001 Southern Blvd. received approval to relocate its gas canopy signage from the south-facing side to the north-facing side. This change is intended to provide better visibility for customers entering the fueling area, ensuring a more seamless and efficient experience.
- Developer K Hovnanian received architectural approval for the model homes at its planned Parkside at Tuttle Royale community, which is part of the larger Tuttle Royale development off Southern Blvd., west of State Road 7. It is in Tuttle Royale’s Pod 4. The developer secured approval to develop five distinct home models. These model homes will be available for public tours, giving potential buyers the opportunity to explore various layouts, architectural styles and design options to better visualize their future homes.
- The final application was Royal Palm Auto Spa’s proposal to expand its existing automobile service station on Southern Blvd. just east of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. by an additional 923 square feet. Although the business previously received approval for this modification in 2022, the plan expired after a year due to the building permit not being obtained. As a result, the applicants needed to restart the approval process. The commissioners expressed enthusiasm that the local business remains committed to modernization and growth and approved the proposal.
