Category Archives: Uncategorized

Project Approval: Hilltop Gardens

Cotleur & Hearing is pleased to share that Hilltop Gardens received unanimous approval from the Palm Beach Gardens City Council this month. Located at the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and Congress Avenue, just east of I-95, the project will transform a vacant parcel within a key employment corridor into a 432-unit multifamily community providing workforce housing in a highly accessible location.

The site’s proximity to jobs, services, and existing infrastructure, combined with its location along a major corridor, makes it well-suited for this type of residential use. The plan incorporates enhanced connectivity, EV charging infrastructure, and sustainable design elements, aligning with the City’s mobility framework and long-term planning objectives.

Cotleur & Hearing worked with Kolter Multifamily as the client, alongside Bizi Arq as project architect, Kimley-Horn for civil and traffic engineering, and Gunster as general counsel. The firm led the landscape architecture, land planning, and entitlement strategy for the project.

This approval represents an important step in advancing a well-located residential community that supports the City’s workforce and contributes to the continued evolution of the Northlake and Congress corridor.

Project Approval: Trinity Church

Located at Military Trail and Gardenia Drive in Palm Beach Gardens, the approval allows for the addition of two columbarium structures within the church’s existing prayer garden. The approximately 11-acre campus has been incrementally enhanced over time, with this effort focused on a targeted addition within an established space.

The columbarium structures are modest in scale and thoughtfully designed to integrate within the existing garden layout. Additional landscape enhancements introduce increased plant variety, improved screening, and a more defined garden edge, reinforcing the character of the space while maintaining its quiet, contemplative setting.

This approval establishes a clear path forward for a well-integrated addition to the campus, building upon an existing and meaningful component of the property.

Cotleur & Hearing Participates in “Built on Connections” Executive Panel

Cotleur & Hearing’s Don Hearing and Aaron Wilbur recently attended Built on Connections: An Executive Event for Construction & Real Estate Executives, hosted by NFP, an Aon company, at The Bear’s Club, where Don participated as a panelist.

The invitation-only event brought together industry leaders for meaningful dialogue and fresh insight in an elevated setting, with a focus on the role of relationships in shaping the future of construction and real estate. The program centered on how strong connections, trusted partnerships, and collaboration across disciplines help move projects from early vision through execution and ultimately drive long-term success.

Don joined a panel alongside Derek Brock of Brock Development Corporation, Justin Howard, CEO of Black Diamond General Contracting, and Tyler James, SVP of Construction Broking at NFP. The discussion explored real-world perspectives on market trends, decision-making, and the importance of alignment across teams in today’s evolving development environment. Drawing from Cotleur & Hearing’s experience, Don emphasized the value of collaboration, communication, and strong client relationships in delivering successful projects. The conversation reinforced how integrated teams and trusted partnerships remain essential to navigating complex projects and achieving lasting outcomes.

Cotleur & Hearing appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the discussion and to engage with a respected group of industry leaders shaping the future of the industry.

Cotleur & Hearing Supports Waterway Blues Fundraiser

Cotleur & Hearing was proud to sponsor the recent Waterway Blues fundraiser in support of Public Trust for Conservation Law, serving as the event’s live music sponsor. Held at Timuquana Country Club along the scenic St. Johns River in Jacksonville, the event brought together community members, partners, and environmental advocates to support the protection of Florida’s vital lands and waterways.

Design Manager Sarah Dark attended on behalf of the firm. While Cotleur & Hearing is headquartered in Jupiter, with a growing presence in Orlando, this event reflects the firm’s continued engagement in Northeast Florida, where Sarah is based.

Cotleur & Hearing has collaborated with Public Trust for Conservation Law on several impactful initiatives, including the planting of nearly 200 trees at the University of North Florida, the Success Park and Garden project, and an upcoming tree planting effort at Naval Station Mayport.

The organization continues to make meaningful progress at the state level. Most recently, Public Trust for Conservation Law helped lead the passage of House Bill 1245, signed into law in March 2026 with unanimous legislative support. The bill strengthens protections for Florida’s waterways by addressing gaps in the regulation of biosolids land application, helping to reduce nutrient runoff into rivers, lakes, and groundwater, including the St. Johns River Basin.

Cotleur & Hearing is honored to support organizations working to preserve the natural resources that define Florida for generations to come.

For more information, visit Public Trust for Conservation Law at: https://www.publictrustlaw.org/

Nev’s BBQ Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

A project Cotleur & Hearing helped bring to life is now in the national spotlight. Nev’s Barbeque in Palm Beach Gardens was recently featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, hosted by Guy Fieri.

Cotleur & Hearing provided land planning, site planning, and landscape architecture services for the project, including securing approval through the City of Palm Beach Gardens for an outdoor smoker via an administrative amendment at Promenade Plaza.

Integrating a commercial smoker into an existing retail center required a focused approach. The design addressed placement, enclosure, and safety considerations to ensure the equipment could operate effectively while remaining compatible with surrounding uses. The smoker was designed as an enclosed structure, coordinated with the plaza’s existing architecture and secured for controlled access, allowing it to function as a core component of the restaurant’s operations without impacting adjacent tenants.

This targeted modification balanced operational needs with site design and City requirements, resulting in a solution that functions successfully within an active commercial environment.

World Landscape Architecture Month

April marks World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM), a global initiative led by the American Society of Landscape Architects to recognize the role landscape architects play in shaping healthy, resilient, and connected communities. It’s a time to highlight how thoughtful design enhances both the environment and everyday life.

At Cotleur & Hearing, these values guide our work. From community planning to ecological preservation, our team focuses on creating purposeful, sustainable landscapes that balance aesthetics, function, and long-term impact.

In celebration of the month, Leah Heinzelmann and Phoebe Prentner attended the Tri-County Olmsted Birthday Celebration hosted by ASLA Florida, honoring Frederick Law Olmsted. Known as the father of American landscape architecture, Olmsted co-designed Central Park and championed the idea that access to green space is essential to public well-being, a principle that continues to shape the profession today.

WLAM serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of landscape architecture, and Cotleur & Hearing is proud to contribute to that legacy through meaningful, community-focused design.

Plant of the Month – April 2026

Jacaranda is a medium to large ornamental tree with a broad, spreading canopy, finely divided, fernlike foliage, and clusters of lavender-blue, trumpet-shaped flowers that typically appear from spring into early summer. In Florida, UF/IFAS lists it as adapted to USDA Hardiness Zones 9B through 11, making it suitable for much of South Florida, where winters are generally warm enough for reliable growth. UF/IFAS also notes that it can sometimes be found in protected Zone 9A locations; however, Zones 9B–11 are the standard recommended range.

In South Florida, jacaranda performs best in full sun and well-drained sandy soils, where it flowers more heavily and becomes drought tolerant once established. It is better suited to inland or protected landscapes than to exposed coastal sites due to its low salt tolerance. It should also not be planted in poorly drained areas, as excess moisture can lead to root problems.

With adequate space and early structural pruning, jacaranda can develop into an attractive shade tree with a light canopy, a strong seasonal flower display, and excellent ornamental value in warm South Florida landscapes.

Project Approval: Triangle Farms

Cotleur & Hearing is pleased to announce the approval of the Triangle Farms Future Land Use Map (FLUM) Amendment by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners. The 88-acre site, located approximately four miles west of I-95 at the intersection of Midway Road and Okeechobee Road, was redesignated from Agricultural (AG-5) to Mixed Use Development (MXD), establishing a framework for thoughtfully planned commercial and light industrial uses.

More importantly, this approval represents a significant step forward in the County’s long-term vision to transform this predominantly rural, agricultural area into a regional entertainment and economic hub. Strategically positioned at the intersection of two major arterial roadways and previously incorporated into the Urban Services Boundary as part of early planning efforts for a future entertainment district, Triangle Farms is one of the first projects to help bring that vision to life.

By introducing a flexible mixed-use framework in close proximity to the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, this amendment sets the stage for complementary development that will support and enhance the Fairgrounds, reinforcing its role as a major regional destination while catalyzing meaningful growth within this emerging corridor.

Popeyes Opens at Gardens Towne Square

After months of coordination, review, and construction, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is now open at Gardens Towne Square in the City of Palm Beach Gardens. The restaurant occupies a 2,020-square-foot tenant space in the easternmost building of the plaza, transforming a suite that had been vacant for an extended period and introducing a complementary dining use within the established shopping center.

Cotleur & Hearing served as both land planner and landscape architect, guiding the Major Conditional Use application through the City’s review process in partnership with property ownership, Brock Development Corporation. The request was presented before the Palm Beach Gardens City Council in late 2025, where it received unanimous approval.

Although the restaurant may appear straightforward, the use required full public hearing review under the City’s Land Development Regulations. The design team worked closely with City staff to address operational considerations, lighting, and landscape enhancements while maintaining the existing building and overall site configuration. The focus remained on regulatory compliance while ensuring compatibility with the surrounding tenants and character of Gardens Towne Square. The addition of Popeyes strengthens the tenant mix at Gardens Towne Square, which includes Publix, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Lingonberry Café, Crunch Fitness, and other neighborhood-serving businesses.

Following approval, the project advanced through construction over the past several months and is now open and serving the community. Projects requiring Major Conditional Use approval undergo a higher level of public scrutiny, and Cotleur & Hearing supported the client through the full process, from entitlement to completion. And yes, the much-talked-about chicken sandwich is now officially available in Palm Beach Gardens.

Boca West Golf Course Groundbreaking

On Wednesday, March 4, the Cotleur & Hearing Golf Division attended the much-anticipated groundbreaking ceremony at Boca West, commemorating the start of the Course 1 renovation. This project has been in planning for several years, and the team is proud to have played a role in reimagining the course throughout the design process.

The transformation of Course 1 represents a complete redevelopment of the 30-year-old golf course and includes a new Par 3 course, a redesigned 18-hole championship course, a new starter building, and upgraded on-course facilities. Existing mature oak trees will be carefully relocated throughout the course, complementing dramatic elevation changes and thoughtfully designed hole layouts to create an exceptional golf experience.