Artistry Lakes: What's in Wellington's New Agreement With the County

Wellington and the County Reach a Narrower Deal on Artistry Lakes

The fight between Wellington and Palm Beach County over Artistry Lakes may be close to ending. After county commissioners rejected a broader deal in August, the two governments negotiated a much narrower Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement (ISBA) that covers only the 446-acre Artistry Lakes site and drops the Arden community and nearby land. Wellington approved it on Oct. 13, and the County Commission is expected to vote on Nov. 10. Supporters call it a practical compromise. Neighbors and county officials had raised concerns about growth, workforce housing and protections for the rural area. Here's what's in the new deal and what each side has said.

The revised Artistry Lakes deal at a glance

The land: 446 undeveloped acres north of Southern Blvd., just east of Arden, annexed by Wellington earlier this year
The plan: A gated Kolter Homes community with 579 single-family homes
What changed: The agreement now covers only Artistry Lakes; Arden and land owned by the Leonard Land Company and PBA Holdings are no longer included
Density cap: 1.4 homes per acre
Housing money: $1 million to Wellington's first-time homebuyer program and $2 million to the county's Workforce Housing Trust Fund, both tied to building permits
Next step: County Commission vote expected Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026

How we got here

Wellington annexed Artistry Lakes this spring without a referendum because no one lives on the land. The county objected, arguing the land wasn't developed for urban purposes and didn't share a proper border with the village. In August, county commissioners rejected a first agreement, in part because it covered a larger stretch of the Southern Blvd. corridor, including Arden. For the full background, see our earlier story on the Artistry Lakes annexation dispute.

What's in the new agreement

Artistry Lakes only. The process for future annexations of Arden and surrounding land is removed. Any future request would be handled separately, and areas with residents, like Arden, would need a referendum to join Wellington, the Town-Crier reported.
Density limit. Housing on the site stays capped at 1.4 units per acre.
Housing contributions. The developer would give $1 million to Wellington for first-time homebuyer assistance, paid in three installments as permits are issued (the last one voluntary), and $2 million to the county's Workforce Housing Trust Fund.
Roads, utilities and a fire station. The developer would dedicate right-of-way for the future Okeechobee Blvd. extension, a 30-foot easement for water and sewer lines, and a four-acre civic site for a fire station.

The case for the deal

A practical resolution. "From Wellington's perspective, the negotiated agreement represents a practical resolution that addresses the county's concerns while maintaining the village's previously adopted land use and development approvals for Artistry Lakes," Village Manager Jim Barnes said.
Narrowed to answer the county. After the county rejected the first version, "we continued working with the county through the statutory conflict resolution process and ultimately agreed to narrow our focus exclusively to Artistry Lakes," Barnes said.
Public benefits. Barnes said the deal "preserves important public benefits, including workforce housing funding, land for a future public facility and infrastructure improvements that will support the surrounding area."
Avoiding a court fight. Both governments negotiated the revised agreement to avoid further disputes and a legal battle.

The concerns that shaped it

Future annexations. County commissioners worried the original agreement could open the door to annexing more land along Southern Blvd. The new version drops that, but any future request could still come back separately.
Workforce housing. The county had previously approved a plan for the site with 480 single-family homes and 54 multi-family units, including workforce housing. The new plan is all single-family homes, with cash contributions to housing funds instead.
Protecting the rural area. When the first agreement came up, residents pointed out that Arden and the PBA Holdings land fall within the Glades Area Protection Overlay, which is meant to guard against overdevelopment.
Final say still pending. Until the County Commission votes, the agreement isn't settled.

What happens next

County commissioners are expected to consider the revised ISBA on Tuesday, Nov. 10. If they approve it, the dispute over the annexation would be resolved and Kolter's plans could move forward under Wellington's approvals. For more on growth west of Wellington, see the Project Tango data center debate and the county transportation master plan.

What do you think?

Is the narrower agreement a fair compromise between Wellington and the county? Should the county approve it on Nov. 10, or hold out for more workforce housing on the site?

Frequently asked questions

What is the new Artistry Lakes agreement?

A revised Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement between Wellington and Palm Beach County that covers only the 446-acre Artistry Lakes site. Wellington approved it Oct. 13, 2026, and the County Commission is expected to vote Nov. 10.

Does the new agreement include Arden?

No. The revised agreement drops Arden and nearby land. Any future annexation request would be considered separately, and areas with residents would need a referendum to join Wellington.

How many homes will be built at Artistry Lakes?

Kolter Homes plans a gated community with 579 single-family homes, and the agreement caps density at 1.4 units per acre.

What does the developer contribute under the deal?

$1 million to Wellington's first-time homebuyer program, $2 million to the county's Workforce Housing Trust Fund, right-of-way for a future Okeechobee Blvd. extension, a utility easement and a four-acre site for a fire station.