WWestlake Pulse
Back to Westlake Pulse

Westlake, Florida: What's Happened in the City — 2025 & 2026

A plain-language summary of the biggest civic, government, and development milestones in Westlake, FL from 2025 through mid-2026. All sourced from public records.

Published July 22, 2026

Westlake, Florida is one of South Florida's fastest-growing cities — and the past 18 months have been busy. From a new city manager to a historic Walmart approval, from a bold AI data center ban to a Housing Impact Award, a lot has happened. This page gathers the most significant civic milestones in one place, sourced from public records and city documents tracked by Westlake Pulse.

New City Manager — March 2026

Howard W. Brown Jr. was named Westlake's new City Manager in March 2026. His appointment marked a leadership transition for the city as it continues to mature from a new-construction community into a full-service municipality with its own civic identity.

City Hall Land Acquired — May 2026

In May 2026, the City of Westlake acquired a 4.6-acre parcel from Minto Communities to serve as the future site of a permanent City Hall. The planned facility will be located at Persimmon Blvd West and Ilex Way. For now, City Hall offices remain at 4001 Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd., Westlake, FL 33470.

Walmart Supercenter Approved — April 2026

Westlake's City Council approved a full-size, 188,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter for the Westlake Town Center in April 2026. The development order (DO_04.07.2026) covered the site plan, sign plan, and an alcohol variance. This is a major milestone for residents who have had to travel outside the city for big-box grocery and retail shopping.

AI Data Center Ban — May 2026

In a notable zoning decision, Westlake's City Council passed an ordinance in May 2026 banning AI data centers within city limits. The Council also passed a resolution opposing Project Tango — a proposed large-scale data center near Westlake schools — in June 2026. Both actions reflect the Council's stated commitment to preserving the city's residential and family-oriented character.

SR-7 Extension Advances — 2026

The long-awaited State Road 7 extension moved into its design phase in early 2026. The City passed Resolution 2026-05 in April 2026 formally supporting the extension, which would connect 60th Street to Northlake Blvd. Construction is currently targeted for 2028. The 60th Street North Extension — connecting Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd to SR-7 — is also underway, supported by Resolution 2025-31.

Housing Impact Award — May 2026

The City of Westlake and the Westlake Community Foundation received the 2026 Housing Impact Award from the Palm Beach County Housing Leadership Council in May 2026. The recognition was tied to the HAPPY Program — Westlake's Homebuyer Assistance Program for first-time buyers — whose guidelines were updated in June 2026 amid a surge in applications.

West Community Elementary School — Opening Fall 2027

A brand-new K-5 school, West Community Elementary, broke ground in spring 2026 and is on track to open for the Fall 2027 school year. Palm Beach County is building the school to serve Westlake's growing population of young families. Principal Darline Winewski was appointed in spring 2026.

PBC Fire-Rescue Station 22 — City Logo Added

In a small but meaningful sign of civic maturity, the City of Westlake logo was added to Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue trucks at Station 22 in May 2026 — recognizing Westlake's identity as a distinct city within the county's service area.

City Council Key Actions — 2026

Recent City Council meeting highlights include:

City Council regular meetings are held at 6:00 PM on the first Tuesday of each month at The Lodge at Westlake Adventure Park, 5490 Kingfisher Blvd.

Stay Current with Westlake Pulse

Westlake Pulse tracks city government, development, and community news using public records, permit data, and official documents. Explore more:

Sources