The Palm Beach County Planning Commission convened on May 9, 2025, to discuss a proposed text amendment aimed at enhancing farmworker housing opportunities in the Glades region. This meeting focused on the Glades Tier, which encompasses a significant area west of 20 Mile Bend, extending to Lake Okeechobee and the county's boundaries.

The proposed amendment seeks to revise three elements of the county's comprehensive plan, following the Board of County Commissioners' directive from May 2023. The goal is to facilitate the provision of farmworker housing in conjunction with ongoing Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) amendments.

The first item addressed was the revision of two policies within the housing element. The proposal aims to consolidate existing text related to farmworker housing into a single policy and remove specific land use designations that currently limit where farmworker housing can be established. Notably, the amendment will retain a 25-acre requirement for agricultural reserve future land use, which is not applicable in the Glades Tier.

Additionally, the introduction and administration element of the comprehensive plan will be updated to include a clear definition of farmworker housing. This definition will clarify that farmworker quarters are residential structures located on agricultural sites and occupied year-round by workers employed by the farm owner.

The meeting highlighted the extensive land available in the Glades Tier, with over 830,000 acres designated for various future land uses, including significant conservation areas. The discussions underscored the importance of addressing housing needs for farmworkers in this region, which is crucial for supporting the local agricultural economy.

In conclusion, the Planning Commission's discussions on the proposed text amendment reflect a strategic effort to enhance housing opportunities for farmworkers in the Glades region, aligning with broader goals of sustainable development and community support. Further steps will be taken to finalize the amendment and implement the necessary changes to the comprehensive plan.