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Design board approves minor landscape and material refinements for Port Royal Club
Summary
The Naples Design Review Board approved Revision 2 to the Port Royal Club final design review (petition 24-DRB-32), allowing subtle landscape and hardscape refinements — including relocated coconut palms, revised crosswalk pavers and native plant substitutions — with conditions tying the changes to prior entitlements and environmental reviews.
The Naples Design Review Board on April 22 approved Revision 2 to the Port Royal Club final design review (petition 24‑DRB‑32), a package of minor hardscape and landscape changes aimed at improving durability and usability while keeping the approved design intent.
Patrick Truffs, a landscape architect representing the applicant, described four improved beach access points (one ramp to also accommodate fire access and three stepped locations), a move from exposed shell concrete to a light gray 4x8 concrete paver on walkways, darker slate gray pavers in crosswalk fields to reduce tire-mark visibility and the relocation of six poorly performing coconut palms from the event lawn to the beach to replace declining specimens. "These changes are subtle in nature and are intended to improve the exterior functionality and durability while maintaining the overall approved design intent," Truffs said.
Planning Director Erica Martin told the board the project had been noticed to property owners within 1,000 feet and that staff had reviewed the revisions against the DRB handbook and section 2‑4‑79 of the code. Martin recommended that prior conditions and entitlements carry forward and proposed standard conditions including signage compliance, limited exterior lighting within 300 feet of mean high water to protect marine turtles, dune vegetation review by the natural resources manager and a landscape architect's letter of compliance at final inspection.
Board members questioned whether all relocated coconuts were strictly necessary; Truffs and staff clarified the team would remove only the poorest‑health specimens and retain healthy palms. The applicant also agreed to replace sea grape plants in the perimeter buffer along the north property line with green buttonwood trees if the board accepted that as a condition.
The board moved and approved the resolution to adopt Revision 2 with the staff and board conditions discussed during the hearing. Roll call showed the motion carried; the board recorded a majority vote with one member absent.
The approval is limited to the design refinements presented and carries forward prior entitlements and the standard conditions cited by staff. The petitioner must obtain required reviews (for dune planting and lighting) and provide a landscape compliance letter before final inspections.
