Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Concerned Citizens of Abacoa

Protect Your Community

Do Not Accept Increased Density in Abacoa

Protect Your Community

Do Not Accept Increased Density in Abacoa

Vote in the Jupiter Elections on March 11, 2025

The Concerned Citizens of Abacoa (CCA) is a volunteer group of residents of Abacoa. Our outreach is funded solely by donations from those residents. The CCA has no affiliation with any political party,

political action committee (PAC), or other interest group which may be funding electoral campaigns.

We think the best candidates for Jupiter Town Council to oppose any density increase in Abacoa Town Center are:

Mayor Jim Kuretski (incumbent), Councilwoman Malise Sundstrom (incumbent), and candidate Phyllis Choy.

Increased Density

Originally, the developer was seeking a density variance to build approximately 356 rental apartments on the three vacant parcels next to Roger Dean Stadium. Under the existing density ordinance, the developer would only be entitled to build approximately 104 dwelling units. The Abacoa community voiced its' concerns to the developer and the Town Council which resulted in the submission of a new proposal.

Unfortunately, the developer only made minimal changes. The updated proposal is now seeking to build 334 rental units on the parcels, a decrease of only 22 units. The developer intends to build the densest housing project in all of Jupiter! The apartment project is still much too large, unfavorably deviates from the Abacoa Master Plan, and is detrimental to our community and its residents.

While we must accept their entitlement of approximately 104 units, any proposed density increase above that established limit is unacceptable due to the significant impact on several Abacoa communities. The requested increase over the current zoning allotment of 104 dwelling units is the root of several of our concerns, as it affects our community due to the increased number of people residing, driving, visiting, parking in the area, and sending their children to local schools.

Increased Traffic

One of our primary concerns for residents involves the increase in traffic on residential streets . The proposed project is located on Parkside Drive, between Allure at Abacoa and University Blvd. While not designed to be a commuter corridor through Abacoa, the Parkside Drive-Greenway Drive passage has become a popular north-south route between Donald Ross Road and Indiantown Road. These are residential streets and not a parkway like Central Boulevard or a commercial roadway like Military Trail. The development of Alton exacerbated our Abacoa traffic problem on those streets.

We should expect that the addition of 104 new apartments will result in an increase in traffic transiting the Parkside-Greenway route, but the traffic volume from 334 apartments is significantly greater and it will negatively impact the Abacoa community severely. While we are presenting the number of apartment units, the number of vehicles is potentially much greater. For example, 104 apartments could result in up to 208 vehicles and 356 apartments could total 712 vehicles on the road for couples, roommates, or families residing together in a unit.

In addition to the Parkside-Greenway corridor, the traffic volume will also impact Frederick Small Road and Jeaga Drive as drivers will use those roads to cross over to Central Boulevard and Military Trail.

Decreased safety

When residential streets are utilized as commuter routes, the tendency to exceed the speed limit increases, as people are in a hurry to get to or return home from work. The increase of traffic volume (and/or speed) on most roadways correlates to an increase in crashes involving both vehicles and pedestrians. The proliferation of the use of electric bikes and scooters on our roadways exacerbates those potential negative consequences.

The additional traffic on the Parkside/Greenway corridor will also adversely affect the safety of students attending the Independence Middle School (IMS), particularly during the drop off/pick up times, which are prime commuting periods. The intersections of Greenway Drive at Jeaga Drive and Greenway Drive at Parkside Drive, in front of IMS, are two of the most challenging assignments for school crossing guards due to the current traffic. They are also frustrating intersections for local residents and parents dropping off their children at IMS.

Decreased parking availability

The parking plan for the residents of the proposed development includes a hodgepodge of existing facilities, a new parking garage, and terminable agreements with Roger Dean Stadium and Florida Atlantic University. According to the proposal, “shared parking is a key aspect to how the parking is managed.” The “shared parking” concept is woefully inadequate for a permanent residential setting.

The proposal makes some flawed assumptions, such as one assigned space per unit as being adequate. There is insufficient parking space for the potential 668 residents of 334 proposed units within the three parcel development space. The number of potential residents without assigned spaces will result in residents and visitors parking on Parkside Drive, currently a limited availability parking area. In addition, street parking in The Island and Antigua, and the member and visitor parking lot of the Abacoa Golf Club may be impacted.

The use of the existing garage for new residential parking will jeopardize the viability of Town Center businesses and functions which depend on support from residents outside the Town Center immediate vicinity. Insufficient parking for those visitors may cause the Town Center businesses to decline..

Impact on Local Schools

While the increased traffic volume on the Parkside/Greenway corridor, when combined with the potential for excessive speed increases the probability of a crash involving a vehicle, a student on a bicycle or e-bike, or a student pedestrian.

An increase in multi-room apartment housing may have an impact on community schools. The developer claims in their Statement of Use that the local schools are not overcrowded, and the project will only add 22 additional students in local schools. This is based on a report from the PBC School District. This claim is dubious because the schools are already overcrowded, the school district is always looking for more teachers, substitute teachers, and bus drivers. Many local families who have moved to the area specifically to live in particular school boundaries. Any new rental availability is sure to increase those who move here specifically for the schools.

The Urbanization of Abacoa

Abacoa is a master-planned, mixed-use, greenfield development community that was never intended to be high density. The beauty of the plan was that single family homes were no higher than two stories and townhouses were no higher than three stories. While there may be two buildings in Town Center of greater height, they are hidden within the downtown area and are not in the forefront of the community.

While there are a few taller buildings in Abacoa Town Center, it is the exception rather than the norm. The proposed buildings are taller in order to fit the developer’s desired number of units in a small footprint. Taller apartment buildings in Abacoa will dramatically harm the existing charm, ambiance, and appearance of our community.

Taller buildings and increased density urbanizes our community and that is detrimental to our community, its desirability, and our property values.

Workforce Housing

There must be a compelling reason to deviate from approved limits that have been in effect for over twenty years. The developer has presented an unacceptable reason to increase the housing density limit. In every presentation made by the developers’ representative, the concept of Workforce Housing has been showcased. It has been described by some residents as a “smokescreen.” The developer has proposed 334 dwelling units with an increased percentage of Workforce Housing units. It is also important to note that certain tax benefits for the developer kick in for housing developments in excess of 300 units.

The Concerned Citizens of Abacoa does not oppose Workforce Housing.

Workforce Housing is not a low-income housing program, rather it is a type of affordable housing program that is for residents who are not necessarily low-income but have a hard time making enough money to live in a region with a costly real estate market.

The law requires that ALL new construction must contain a minimum percentage (6%) of Workforce Housing units. The developer has been offering a higher percentage of Workforce Housing units as an incentive to entice the Planning & Zoning Commission and Town Council to approve the zoning density change for significantly more units. This has been an attempt to obfuscate their desire to increase the number of units, resulting in an increased tax benefit and profit potential from the development.

"NIMBY" Concerns

There have been a few online posts (from non-residents) claiming that Abacoa residents are NIMBY adherents. NIMBY is an acronym for "Not In My Back Yard", where someone opposes a development due to its proximity to their residence.

The NIMBY argument does not apply in this instance because our opposition to the project is based solely on the developer's proposed (requested) increase in the allowable density.

The Concerned Citizens of Abacoa does not oppose a development with the current density allowance.

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in our community. At Concerned Citizens of Abacoa, we need individuals and groups to get involved.

Join your neighbors in making your opinion known. Write to the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Jupiter Town Council. Post flyers in your mailroom, knock on doors and help your neighbors understand what is at stake.

The developer and town officials need to understand that this development, as proposed, is unacceptable the the local community.

PLEASE NOTE: The Town of Jupiter municipal election takes place on Tuesday, March 11th. If you wish to vote by mail, you must submit your request to the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections ( https://VotePalmBeach.gov) before February 27th.

We need to elect the candidates for Town Council who will prevent increased density in Abacoa. Support those candidates who have pledged to not increase the current density allowances.

Concerned Citizens of Abacoa

The Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Needs Your Help

We are a grass roots organization made up of Abacoa homeowners who are very concerned about the overdevelopment and urbanization of Abacoa Town Center. We are funded only by community members.

Please help us educate the community about the adverse effects of a development of the proposed size.

Please donate any amount you can to help us challenge this proposed development. Your money will be used to pay for expenses like this website, flyers, mailings, signs, and/or legal assistance.

To donate online, click on or cut and paste the following link to your browser:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/protect-neighborhoods-from-overdevelopment?qid=5d88b02ae5e34834d244c89eb06b200e

You can also use your cell phone to scan the QR code to the right.

We thank you for your help.

Thank you for your support

Thank you to all the attendees at our recent informational meeting held at the Abacoa Golf Club on February 10th.

In addition to presentations regarding our opposition to the proposed increase in density, we heard from members of our Town Council and candidates for the council in the upcoming election. We appreciate their presence, comments, and support.

We ask you to support the Jupiter Town Council candidates in the March 11, 2025 election who will maintain the current density and prevent the overdevelopment of Abacoa. Your community depends on it.

Please stay tuned to this website, Facebook, NextDoor, or other social media outlets for more updates on the proposed development.

Protect Your Community

Protect Your Community

Vote in the Jupiter Elections on March 11, 2025

Why do we exist?

Increased Density

Increased Traffic

Decreased safety

Decreased parking availability

Impact on Local Schools

The Urbanization of Abacoa

Workforce Housing

"NIMBY" Concerns

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Abacoa Town Center Development Site

Image: Developer's Virtual Rendering of the Proposed Project

Town Center Urbanization

Abacoa Town Center vicinity

Our Community Was Not Designed For This Much Traffic

Vote for candidates who will not increase density

The Importance of Working Together

Stay Tuned for further updates

Stay Tuned for further updates

Stay Tuned for further updates

Stay Tuned for further updates

Stay Tuned for further updates

Stay Tuned for further updates

Concerned Citizens of Abacoa

The Concerned Citizens of Abacoa Needs Your Help

Thank you for your support