Could Grassy Waters Preserve impede WPB's growth? (Palm Beach: real estate, prices)

[wanderer34]

I ask this question because there's a lot of debate as to whether preserving Grassy Waters Preserve is really worth it. I understand that Grassy Waters is the freshwater source for the city of WPB and adjoining communities but if the city were to grow into a city of let's say 500K people, then Grassy Waters may have to be "moved" to a different location. I say that proposing for a brad new preserve just outside of WPB is the best for both environmentalists and developers who need land to build in WPB just to keep real estate prices lower as well as to preserve the wildlife areas within Palm Beach County and South FL.

Also, I just don't see how a urban city can be in the business of trying to preserve 23 sq. ft. of land when most of that land can be developed. Lake Okechobee is about 44 miles away from WPB and has the capability of provided more than needed freshwater than what Grassy waters can provide. The potable water from Lake Okechobee can be filtered and distilled into residential, industrial and commercial dwellings. Also, FL in general needs to invest in desalination plants throughout the entire state so it doesn't have problems with water shortages.

Finally, WPB is rapidly growing. The city is 53 sq. mi., 30 sq mi. which can be developed and 23. sq. mi. in which it's preserved in the Grassy Waters. I'd still save some of Grassy Waters for park space, especially the triangular piece of land at the northernmost point at WPB. But as the city continues to grow and densify, and real estate values continue to skyrocket all over WPB, Palm Beach County, and South FL, it may be wise for the city to work with Palm Beach County and create a new preserve outside of the city limits which can supply freshwater for WPB as well as consider Lake Okechobee for it's main freshwater source.

[City Guy997S]

Northlake is a mess now, with Avenir and Westlake going full blast no need for MORE development out there.

Try going east at 8am or west at 5pm and you would vote instant NO for more development.

Also I thought WPB relied on water from Lake Magnonia and Clear Lake which is why its closed to boating.

[wanderer34]

I think the problem is that a city like WPB is fully responsible for Grassy Waters when it should be either the state or the feds. I like the concept of a Grassy Waters but it should be out of the city limits so WPB can grow. I'm not anti-environment, just want to see a solution for both the environmentalists and the developers here. A little out of topic, but imagine if there was already a light rail system in WPB, and another reserve was established in place of Grassy Waters. A few new LRT lines would go into where Grassy Waters is currently at:

https://www.reddit.com/r/TransitDiag...ight_rail_map/