Kolter Group’s Alton Delray: A Milestone in Workforce Housing Development
Kolter Group is making waves in Delray Beach with its ambitious Alton Delray project, a multifamily development featuring 386 residential units aimed at addressing the pressing need for affordable housing. This initiative falls under Florida’s Live Local Act, designed to streamline the approval process for workforce housing projects.
Affordable Housing Component
CEO Bobby Julien has proposed that 40% of the Alton Delray units—154 apartments—will be dedicated to workforce housing at below-market rents. This targeted approach aims to assist individuals and families earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income (AMI). In Palm Beach County, the annual median income is approximately $104,000 as of 2024, according to the Palm Beach County Housing Authority.
Key Features of Alton Delray
- Total Units: 386 multifamily apartments
- Workforce Housing Units: 154 (40% of total)
- Square Footage of Industrial Space: 1,748 square feet
- Location: 2101 South Congress Avenue, Delray Beach
- Building Design: Five-building cluster featuring:
- Three buildings at six stories
- Two buildings at five stories
The project is particularly significant as it represents the first initiative in Delray Beach eligible for streamlined administrative approval under the new legislation.
Streamlined Approval Under the Live Local Act
The Live Local Act facilitates the construction of workforce housing in areas zoned for industrial or non-residential use by overruling local land use and zoning regulations if certain criteria are met. According to Anthea Gianniotes, the city’s development services director, this means that site plan approvals, regardless of size or density, can proceed without commission review—a major shift in the development process.
“There is no commission review,” Gianniotes explained during a recent City Commission meeting.
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This new approach aims to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing solutions in the community while providing stability to local economic development.
Community Concerns
While many city commissioners praised the design and intent of Alton Delray, some raised concerns about the income eligibility thresholds for workforce housing units.
Commissioner Juli Casale voiced her worries:
“What we need here is something way less to accommodate the individuals in our city who are in need of housing. We have a high number of low-paying jobs here, and this will bring new people in, but it pushes the people who are here out.”
Tax Burden and Local Control
Critics of the Live Local Act argue that it could potentially increase the residential property tax burden in Delray Beach, a city with limited non-residential property options. Mayor Tom Carney highlighted the challenges within the community:
“We’re a very small town… I think it’s unfortunate that it gets imposed on you, as opposed to everyone embracing it.”
The city’s leadership urges further dialogue to ensure that all residents benefit from new developments without compromising the needs of low-income families.
Conclusion
Kolter Group’s Alton Delray project stands as a promising venture to combat the affordable housing crisis in Florida. With its strategic location, commitment to workforce housing, and adherence to state regulations, Alton Delray could serve as a model for future developments aimed at fostering inclusivity and economic stability in rapidly growing communities.
For more information on the Live Local Act and its implications for housing development, visit the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
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