The Mar-a-Lago home of Donald Trump, the president-elect, has been dubbed the White House of the South. But residents of Palm Beach are concerned about the road closures which have divided the town.

The Palm Beach Town Council is set to consider a proposal on Tuesday that would “limit the number events at Mar-a-Lago”. It has been in a battle with the Secret Service about closing the main road surrounding the resort following the July 13 attempted assassination which nearly killed Donald Trump.

Mar-a-Lago guests are not necessarily contributing to traffic congestion, as they are pre-screened before being bussed into the 17-acre Mar-a-Lago property from West Palm Beach.

The commissioners blamed “the wrong perception” and claimed that residents are resentful of the security bubble surrounding the resort, which impedes their movement on Palm Beach. Hundreds of guests are able to stream into the club during parties and galas.

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Victoria Donaldson, Planning and Zoning Commission, said last week at the hearing about traffic congestion in the town, “Everyday, every night it’s a Mar-a-Lago party.” “I think that this is what makes people angry, the perception of everyone having a good time at Mar-a-Lago while we are unable to cross the road.”

Since his second White House term was elected on November 5, Mr. Trump hosted a number of large gatherings in the club, and welcomed a host of VIPs and leaders from around the world.

Guests included Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Argentinean President Javier Milei. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, was also present, as were a number of candidates for cabinet positions.

Mar-a-Lago is known for hosting glitzy parties, which are often reported in the media and on social networks. Residents wait in traffic for hours to navigate the island.

“We’re stuck, we keep seeing holiday parties,” said Ms. Donaldson.

The Secret Service built the fence around Mar-a-Lago in this summer, after a gunman had shot Mr. Trump at a rally held in Butler, Pennsylvania. A bullet struck Mr. Trump’s right ear. The shooter also injured two other rally attendees. A month later, a second assassination attempt was foiled at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course.

The Secret Service closed a section of South Ocean Boulevard on July 20, one week after the initial assassination. This is the main road that runs north to south along the 18-mile barrier island. The road runs along Mar-a-Lago and concrete barriers block anyone from driving past the resort. The concrete barriers divide the island in two, preventing residents from driving on Palm Beach. This causes gridlock.

As more people crowd onto the island, and into Mar-a-Lago during the busy winter months, the traffic problem has gotten worse.

The resort is located in a residential neighborhood. Frustrated officials from the town have threatened to close it down. Mar-a-Lago is able to hold events because of a special agreement that it has with the town. Officials are now considering pulling this agreement.

In my opinion, if the road was closed, then the Mar-a-Lago Club would be closed. This is what Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Moore stated at a Town Council Meeting in August. There’s no possible way on God’s green Earth that 350 people can be brought into the club. You can’t let 350 strangers in your club when you have a closed road.

The Washington Times contacted a spokesperson for the resort, but neither did the Town Council.

The town did not take any action to stop Mar-a-Lago’s gatherings. However, the threat to act increased after the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted on Dec. 3, to limit the resorts parties as part their traffic mitigation recommendations that they will present to the Council on Tuesday.

One commissioner stated, “That’s residential area and it’s not being used [in a residential way]”, “I’m sure the mayor and town attorney are looking into it, but for the residents, this is very frustrating.”

When Mr. Trump served as president, the Secret Service shut down the same road in Front of Mar-a-Lago but only implemented the restrictions when Mr. Trump visited the resort.

The Secret Service has agreed to lift traffic restrictions while Mr. Trump is away, but the President-elect will not be leaving Mar-a-Lago for some time. The transition team is hunkered at Mar-a-Lago while they plan the new administration.

Donald Trump assumes office on January 20.

After he leaves office in January 2021, the former and future President will move to Mar-a-Lago and make it his permanent residence.

He made it clear through a spokesperson that he didn’t want to disrupt traffic in the city.

In a press release, obtained by the Palm Beach Civic Association, a Trump Family representative stated that “President Trump and the Trump family, as well as the Mar-a-Lago Club, do not wish to inconvenience anyone. This includes their neighbors and the greater community of Palm Beach.” The Trumps are members of the Palm Beach community since 30 years. They are proud to call it home and share the feelings of other town residents.