Developer and Project's Neighbors Square Off in Court Battle

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL-Entities controlled by Catalfumo Construction & Development are suing two homeowners for delaying more than $370 million of local projects in which the developer is involved. The defendants, who live near the project site, claim in part that so much new building will diminish their quality of life.

William Siebenrock and Agustin Hernandez are challenging approval by the authorities of an expanded water management and retention system near their homes. They claim the drainage plan threatens to damage environmentally sensitive vegetation and species in the neighborhood, as well as worsen flooding.

Their action effectively stalls any further development until the drainage plan, already approved by the South Florida Water Management District, is reviewed by a state administrative judge. And that could take at least two months.