City commissioners voted Monday to allow a landing deck for electric air taxis on the Hibiscus Garage at CityPlace. Fuel-burning helicopters are barred, and the deck design still needs its own hearings.

Electric air taxis could one day land on top of a CityPlace parking garage after the West Palm Beach City Commission approved the use Monday, Nov. 9.

Commissioners approved Resolution No. 217-26, a change to the CityPlace development rules. It adds a “Helipad/Vertistop” use in the Hibiscus Garage subarea. The city listed the decision in its approvals and decisions summary for the meeting. The city’s pass/fail agenda records every item in that section as approved. It does not give a vote count.

The hearing had been continued from the Oct. 26 meeting.

What was approved

The garage is the “B” Block Hibiscus Garage at 530 Hibiscus St. Extra levels are already being added to it to serve the two office towers going up at 550 S. Rosemary Ave., according to the staff summary on the agenda.

The applicant, CityPlace Retail LLC, wants a landing deck on the roof for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, known as eVTOLs. The staff summary describes them as small flying vehicles that link fixed locations, and says the applicant wants on-demand service to CityPlace. The applicant told the city the aircraft could help cut car trips on city roads.

The approval sets these limits:

  • Electric aircraft only. “Traditional aviation fuel helicopters may not utilize the Helipad/Vertistop,” the staff summary says.
  • One garage only. The use is allowed in the Hibiscus Garage subarea, not across CityPlace.
  • The design comes back. The deck, a passenger lounge and electric chargers together make up the “vertistop.” Their design needs a Level III site plan approved by the City Commission.

The city’s zoning code has no “vertistop” use of its own. Staff placed it under the code’s existing use for helipads and helistops without permanent mooring or service facilities.

The Planning Board recommended approval 7-0 on Sept. 15. The city mailed notices to property owners within 500 feet and posted signs on the site Aug. 31. The site is in Commission District 3, represented by Commissioner Christy Fox.

The agenda does not name an aircraft operator, a start date, a number of flights or flight hours.

Small business rule eased

The same resolution changes how CityPlace meets its small business hiring rule. Until now, construction there had to use small business enterprise (SBE) firms for at least 15% of the work.

The applicant had been allowed to count minority and women-owned firms (MWBE) toward that 15%. The staff summary says that, because of federal and state executive orders, the city “may no longer accept MWBE firms as a unique entity” to meet the minimum. Minority and women-owned firms that are certified as SBEs still count.

The applicant said it could not reach 15% with SBE firms alone and asked for a lower minimum. Under the approved wording:

  • 15% stays as a goal, not a hard minimum
  • a developer that falls short must send the city’s Office of Small Business evidence of a good faith effort
  • if the office accepts that evidence, the lower share is accepted

A matching change to the CityPlace Development of Regional Impact, Ordinance No. 5183-26, passed on first reading. Its second reading is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 23.

Also approved Monday

  • A larger downtown Publix moves a step closer. The commission gave first approval to Ordinance No. 5188-26. It extends the closing date for the city’s sale of 202-206 N. Sapodilla Ave. to Publix from Dec. 1, 2026, to May 26, 2027. The agenda says Publix wants to move its downtown store to the 0.79-acre lot “to allow for a more expansive store” and needs more time for approvals. Second reading is also Nov. 23.
  • Two Tony Cragg sculptures for CityPlace. The commission approved “Points of View” by the British sculptor for 10 and 15 City Place. The developer, C Block Development LLC, is commissioning the work to meet its public art requirement, with $3,487,500 held in escrow.
  • The 2026 Watershed Master Plan was adopted. The city says it should raise the flood insurance discount for policyholders; our story on the flood insurance discount explains it.

What it means for you

  • No flights yet. The approval allows the use. The deck still needs a site plan, with public hearings before the Planning Board and the City Commission.
  • If you live or work near CityPlace, those site plan hearings are where the deck’s design will be decided. Owners within 500 feet were mailed notice of this one.
  • The Nov. 23 meeting has the second votes on the CityPlace small business change and the Publix closing date. Agendas are on the city’s meetings and agendas page.