Long-term lease for Dune Deck? — The iconic Dune Deck Café, which has been operating at Lantana’s beach since 1991, received some encouraging news from the Town Council during its Oct. 26 meeting. The council agreed to add a charter amendment on the March 9 ballot that would increase the maximum lease from five to 30 years, subject to council approval.
Town Attorney Max Lohman said the current five-year limitation had created challenges for long-term investments and improvements, particularly at the Dune Deck and the fire station properties.
The longer lease ensures the family-owned business remains the preferred anchor tenant as part of the town’s public beach renovation.
The Dune Deck Café serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch alfresco by the ocean.
Peter Panais, co-owner of the restaurant, said he was supportive of the proposed amendment. He emphasized that a longer lease would encourage investment in necessary property improvements.
The current café building is slated for demolition to make way for a new facility featuring a Bahamian/Key West architectural style, with CPZ Architects handling the site design.
More restaurant news — The Town Council agreed to a special exception request to the code of ordinances to allow a Chipotle Mexican Grill with a drive-through window to be built at 1500 W. Lantana Road in the Commercial Zoning District.
The 2,427-square-foot fast food restaurant will be on the eastern portion of the Wells Fargo parking lot.
Farther east on Lantana Road, another fast-food restaurant came into the spotlight at the council’s Oct. 26 meeting. Jeremy Starnes, owner and operator of the Chick-fil-A there, was recognized for donating food to the Chamber of Commerce, the town library and other organizations throughout the year.
The presentation was made by Rosemary Mouring, who Mayor Karen Lythgoe said is Lantana’s “super volunteer.”
New alternate to planning board — The Town Council appointed Kenneth Parks, a five-year Lantana resident, to an alternate position on the planning board for a three-year term. Parks is a building contractor with 46 years’ experience and said he was interested in lending his expertise to help the town.
He was one of four candidates for the alternate position. Others were John Miller, a new homeowner and retired journalist; Jessica Pierce, who works for Discover the Palm Beaches; and Lyn Tate, a Hypoluxo Island resident who has previously served on the board.
— Mary Thurwachter
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