A rare revolt has broken out at the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations (COBWRA) with four Ag Reserve Communities — Canyon Lakes, Canyon Isles, Canyon Springs and Canyon Trails — withdrawing from the 41-year old organization that monitors development in the region.
 

"We made it clear to COBWRA how we felt and they ignored us," said Ryan Anderson, president of the Canyon Trails HOA. "COBWRA is just not representing us. We feel ignored." Other communities may be withdrawing as well, according to Anderson.

The development planned for the southeast corner of Acme Dairy Road and Boynton Beach Boulevard would abut Canyon Trails.

"We want it to be as far away as possible and in exchange for allowing four-story buildings, we would get a set back of 835 feet," Anderson said. "That is huge for us."
 

COBWRA president: Defecting communities are 'making a big mistake'

COBWRA President Steve Wallace said he wishes the Canyon communities the best of luck but believes "they are making a big mistake by going on their own. They are stronger with us than without us. This was a power play by certain members of the Canyon communities. We have developed a very strong relationship with county commissioners. You build that over time."

COBWRA argues that four-story buildings would be out of character in the Ag Reserve. Wallace noted that COBWRA has always advocated for nothing more than three stories and has been very clear about that.

Mryna Rosoff, who served as COBWRA's president from 2013-2016 and from 2017-2018, said the three-story limit is now more important than ever with Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signing into law "The Live Local Act."

The law takes away the review power of local officials over development proposals involving workforce and affordable housing projects. Such developments are entitled to be built to the same height of any building within a one-mile radius.

"This could open up the floodgates to very dense development," Rosoff said. "Once you go to four stories, there is no stopping it."

The relationship between the two groups is so strained that Wallace threatened to sue Craig Ditman of Canyon Trails, a BARC member, for defamation. Wallace was upset with an email Ditman sent to BARC members claiming that COBWRA pushed for a design change that was unacceptable to Canyon Trails. Ditman also said the change was done without first consulting the community.

Ditman, an architect, said in his email to BARC members that COBWRA withdrew an offer to have him serve as a COBWRA director for another year for complaining about COBWRA policies. He opposed the COBWRA design because he said it "will forever change our quality of life." Wallace said Ditman's email contained claims that were "patently false."

Neither Ditman nor Wallace would comment on the threatened litigation. And Ditman declined to comment at all on the dispute between COBWRA and BARC.

But in an email to Ditman, Wallace said, "Craig, congratulations. Your last response has met all the elements of prima facie defamation per se. My attorney is copied on this email. Expect a demand letter forthcoming. To aid in the process, please provide us a copy of your homeowners insurance policy."

The only other time in recent years that a community withdrew from COBWRA was in 2016 when Canyon Lakes pulled out. It rejoined and now has again withdrew along with the other Canyon communities.
 

Height issue of future development a sticking point in dispute

Steven Sculler, president at Canyon Isles, questioned why COBWRA refuses to compromise on the height issue as the Canyon communities will be most impacted by the soon-to-come west-of-the Turnpike developments.

"The new middle school being built will be taller than three stories so we don’t understand why this is an issue.

A four-story building would really not be out of place."

As for the future, Sculler said Canyon Isles would consider rejoining but added: "We don’t want to be ignored."

Neil Ambrosio, a founding member of BARC and a board member at Canyon Lakes, said BARC has been highly effective and collaborative in dealing with development issues in the region, adding: "Canyon Lakes has been fortunate to build strong relationships with our district commissioner and staff, as well as other county officials in various departments within the county."

In its withdrawal letter to COBWRA, Canyon Lakes said it “cannot afford to have our positions filtered” in favor of the personal views of leadership and its committees. We believe we can most effectively advocate for our residents by direct relationships with our elected county representatives and other stakeholders, in concert with our neighboring Agricultural Reserve communities.”