The City of West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Board on May 28 approved a slate of residential projects across multiple historic districts and continued several others for further design work.

The board voted to approve new construction, alterations and related permits for projects in the Norwood Harbor, Bel Air, Flamingo Park and Prospect/Southland Park historic districts, but attached multiple conditions intended to preserve historic character and to clarify construction details. Several complex projects were continued so applicants could revise window, roof and massing details requested by board members and staff.

Board action highlights
- 40140 Seventh Street (case 42-110 / application 24110): Approved. The board found the revised two-story single-family design responsive to prior concerns about massing and compatibility with district standards but required multiple conditions, including a contextual setback adjustment toward Flagler Drive, specific siding and roof materials, added west-elevation openings, and three new conditions added during the hearing to study entry proportions, center the garage door (and offset the driveway if feasible), and harmonize window proportions across elevations. Outcome: approved with conditions.
- 30303 Pilgrim Road (case 2508): Approved. The board approved a certificate of appropriateness for a second-story addition to an accessory structure in the Bel Air Historic District, imposing five staff conditions and an additional requirement that the applicant work with staff to apply a horizontal mullion pattern on all elevations. Outcome: approved with conditions.
- 284 Leiden Court (case 2513 and 2513A): Approved (three motions). The board approved (1) a certificate of appropriateness for demolition of a non-contributing structure and construction of a new two-story residence, (2) a waiver related to lot/frontage standards, and (3) a Class B special-use permit to allow a swimming pool in the front setback. The board also approved demolition. Several project-specific conditions were added or clarified, including textured stucco details, balcony/railing dimensions and revised bracket/rafter-tail detailing. Outcome: COA, waiver, special-use permit and demolition — all approved with conditions.
- 827 Ardmore Road (case 252514): Approved. The board approved a two-story addition to a 1925 mission-revival house in the Flamingo Park Historic District, subject to design conditions and a required score line (and contrasting, smoother stucco finish) to visibly differentiate the new construction from the historic fabric. Outcome: approved with conditions.
- 605 Avon Road (case 2531): Variances granted. Staff reported an earlier oversight: variances for side setbacks associated with an addition and a carport were not captured in the original approval. The board granted the variances limited to the proposed addition and carport. Outcome: variances approved with condition they apply only to the proposed work.
- 9 Washington Road (case 2532): Approved. Additions and alterations to a contributing 1940s residence in the Southland Park Historic District were approved, with staff conditions to preserve character-defining elements and to limit tree mitigation impacts already addressed through a tree alteration permit. Outcome: approved with conditions.
- 3140 Washington Road (case 2522): Amendment approved. The board approved proposed amendments to a previously approved project (material substitution to a coral/limestone product in lieu of travertine, and several minor elevation adjustments), striking three staff conditions and affirming three revised conditions after discussion. Outcome: amendment approved with modified conditions.

Continued cases and design direction
- 110 Greenwood Drive (case 2525 / 25 & 25A): Continued to June 24. Board members expressed concern about contradictory drawings, unclear window treatments, and the height and mass of a two-story accessory structure on a property with a contributing primary building. The board directed the applicant to return with clarified, consolidated drawings and to avoid raising window heads; the board asked the applicant to explore lowering accessory ceilings and otherwise reducing visual massing.
- 309 Edgewood Drive (case 2523): Continued to June 24. The board asked the applicant to refine rear porch roof details, re-evaluate sliding doors versus French doors, and reduce or simplify accessory structure roof complexity.
- 2916 Washington Road (case 2530): Continued to June 24. The board said the proposed new two-story residence needs clearer stylistic focus and asked the applicant to align fenestration, roof forms and detailing with stronger precedent in the neighborhood.

Why it matters
The board’s votes show a pattern: projects that address staff feedback about materials, window proportions, and how new work is visually differentiated from historic fabric are more likely to receive approval. Members repeatedly asked applicants to avoid pro forma solutions (large expanses of glass or heavy applied brackets) and to either simplify accessory structures or tie their details more closely to adjacent historic buildings. For applicants, the board emphasized accurate, consolidated drawings and consistent, measurable conditions so staff can complete review at the administrative level when appropriate.

What to expect next
Applicants continued to June 24 were instructed to return with consolidated drawing sets that resolve the board’s concerns about window placement, roof massing, and material transitions. For approved projects, staff will work with applicants to complete conditions at the administrative level before building permits issue; several approvals included explicit conditions that work be completed in coordination with staff (e.g., window details, driveway offsets, and stucco/textural differentiation).

Votes at a glance (selected motions)
- Application 24110 (40140 Seventh St.): Motion carried (unanimous voice vote); approved with 14 listed conditions plus three new conditions added at the bench.
- Application 2508 (Pilgrim Rd accessory): Motion carried (voice vote); approved with five staff conditions plus a condition on mullion pattern.
- Application 2513 / 2513A (284 Leiden Ct): COA motion carried; waiver motion carried; Class B special-use permit motion carried; demolition motion carried (all voice votes), each with conditions as recorded in the staff report.
- Application 252514 (827 Ardmore Rd): Motion carried (voice vote); approved with conditions including a required score line and contrasting stucco texture.
- Application 2531 (605 Avon Rd): Variances granted (voice vote) applying only to the proposed addition and carport.
- Application 2532 (9 Washington Rd) and Application 2522 (3140 Washington Rd amendment): Motions carried; amendment to previously approved project was approved after slight modification of staff conditions.
- Continued to June 24: Applications 2525 (110 Greenwood), 2523 (309 Edgewood) and 2530 (2916 Washington) — applicants were instructed to return with revised drawings responding to the board’s design direction.

Meeting context and next steps
The board’s meeting included robust staff presentations and extensive applicant engagement. For applicants returning in June, staff and board asked for consolidated drawings, clearer material samples, and, where appropriate, rendered elevations or sections that show how new and existing work will meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Board members asked staff to be prepared to approve administratively those items that meet the posted conditions once applicants submit the specified revisions.

For full case numbers, staff reports and the board’s written conditions, see the City of West Palm Beach development services portal or contact the Historic Preservation Planner.