Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ZBA approves height variance for two townhouses at 1510 South Olive
Summary
The West Palm Beach Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4-0 to allow two townhouses at 1510 South Olive Avenue to exceed the city's townhouse height limit, approving variances with a condition tying approval to the project elevations and landscaping shown in the staff exhibit.
The West Palm Beach Zoning Board of Appeals on May 1 unanimously approved a variance allowing two townhouses at 1510 South Olive Avenue to exceed the city's townhouse height limit, contingent on the buildings being constructed in accordance with the elevations submitted to staff.
The variance will let portions of the proposed townhouses exceed the 35-foot maximum for townhome forms in the MF-32 district to heights up to about 37 feet 9 1/4 inches for the flat-roof unit and 38 feet 1 1/4 inches for the gabled unit, with height-exempt features permitted up to 44 feet as shown in the applicant's drawings. Board members and staff said the project remains below the 40-foot height allowed for other multifamily uses in MF-32 zoning.
Alejandro Borrero, principal of Borrero Architecture, told the board the lot is about 0.22 acres, is currently vacant and is difficult to develop as a multifamily structure because of its size and access constraints; the design therefore subdivides the parcel to accommodate two townhouse units. "We're not asking to go above what is already allowed in the underlying district," Borrero said, noting the townhouses are designed to step back and provide separation from neighboring buildings.
Eric Schneider, principal planner for the city, recommended approval with a condition that the variance apply only to a building constructed in accordance with the elevation shown in Exhibit A of the staff report, a safeguard staff said prevents future redevelopment from filling in the permitted volume and increasing impacts on neighbors. Schneider also described landscaping plans that preserve a large existing tree in front of the site and add palms and green buttonwoods along the rear and sides to screen equipment and soften the building mass.
A nearby resident, Carolyn Quill, who said she lives at 1601 South Flagler Drive in the Viking Arms condominium and overlooks the site, urged a stronger tree line and taller canopy trees to restore privacy and screening lost when a mature tree previously on the lot was removed. "Thoughtful landscaping can turn this variant into a win for the community and the environment and future residents," Quill said.
Sam Fish, the project's owner and developer, told the board he and his team have owned the parcel less than a year and said they would work with staff on additional screening where feasible. Board members asked about tree preservation and the species and placement of proposed plantings; staff and the applicant said the plans will include the preserved tree and a mix of palms and green buttonwood hedges to meet landscape requirements.
Board member Dana Picotte moved approval, citing the application, testimony and the staff report as competent substantial evidence; Board member Emily Savage seconded. The roll call vote was 4-0 in favor (Emily Savage, Dana Picotte, Christopher Hagen, Sherry Hack). The board's approval is subject to the staff condition that the variances apply only to a building constructed per the elevations in Exhibit A of the staff report.
The applicant may proceed to permit review with the approved variance and the memorialized exhibit; staff said the exhibit will be carried into the final order to ensure the project built matches the approved elevations.
