Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Highland Beach planning board approves 416‑sq‑ft dock at 1114 Bel Air Drive despite neighbor concern over floating dock placement
Loading...
Summary
The Town of Highland Beach Planning Board on Nov. 13 approved a special-exception permit for a 416‑square‑foot dock at 1114 Bel Air Drive after staff said the proposal complies with local code and required authorizations; a nearby resident raised a separate concern about an existing floating dock on the property line.
The Town of Highland Beach Planning Board voted unanimously on Nov. 13 to approve a special-exception development order allowing a 416‑square‑foot dock at 1114 Bel Air Drive. The board recorded five yes votes with Members David, Bobby, Axelrod, Vice Chairperson Rosen and Chairperson Mendelson voting in favor; Members Brown and Powell were absent.
Town planner Allen told the board the application, submitted by Akbar Bridal, Boat Lifts and Docks of South Florida, seeks to demolish an existing wood dock and replace it with the proposed 416‑sq‑ft structure. Allen said mailed notices initially described the dock as 400 square feet but that staff posted a corrected public notice and the application materials show 416 square feet; "It is now 416 square feet," Allen said. He also told the board the applicant has received authorizations listed in the packet from "FTP" and the Army Corps and pointed members to permit numbers on packet page 11.
Allen walked the board through the site plans and code limits. He said the town’s maximum combined seawall cap and dock regulation is 8 feet, and the proposed layout stays within that limit. Allen said the waterway adjacent to the property is roughly 155 feet wide and that the dock would encroach no more than 7 feet, within the town’s 25‑foot/25% encroachment standard. He also noted that, if approved, the project must obtain a building permit and construction must begin within two years of planning‑board approval.
A nearby resident, Scott of 1110 Bel Air Drive, questioned why one element on the plans showed a 5‑foot setback for a floating boat lift that, he said, currently sits on the property line. "That's not the case right now. It's on the property line," Scott said, asking whether plans could be revised and whether code enforcement might inspect the existing floating dock.
Town planner Allen and Town attorney Rubin responded that the floating dock is not part of the special‑exception application before the board. Allen said the lot is an interior lot in the RML zoning district and that interior lots do not have a side setback requirement under the code; he recommended that residents contact code enforcement if they believe a structure crosses property lines.
After discussion, a motion to approve application PZ25‑33 (Highland 1114 Bel Air LLC) was made and seconded. The planning board recorded affirmative roll‑call votes from Member David, Vice Chairperson Rosen, Member Bobby, Member Axelrod and Chairperson Mendelson; the motion carried. The clerk announced upcoming meetings and the board adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
The packet for the item lists the project plans, permit numbers for agency authorizations, and staff’s finding that the application is consistent with section 30‑36 of the town code and the comprehensive plan. The transcript records the planner as saying the applicant received authorizations from "FTP" and the Army Corps; the hearing record lists permit numbers but does not expand the "FTP" abbreviation.
