Preservation board approves new two‑story home at 711 South Palm Way with exceptions to one staff condition

The Lake Worth Beach Historic Resources Preservation Board voted unanimously to approve a certificate of appropriateness for a new single‑family residence at 711 South Palm Way (project 25‑0010049), allowing demolition of the existing noncontributing structure and new construction on one of two 50‑foot split parcels.

Anne Hamilton, the staff presenter, told the board that the application "does meet all zoning requirements" and noted a 2024 ordinance update allows demolition of noncontributing single‑family homes in flood zones. Hamilton outlined staff conditions — including a recommendation that the structure be lowered by one foot to reduce perceived massing — and said permitting review would verify other code compliance.

Butro Spinar, the architect, said the design team had gone through multiple iterations and that "we're happy to move forward with this with all the conditions that you have stated except for number 1," referring to the staff's requested one‑foot reduction. Spinar argued the building's "perceivable height" from the street would be about 20 feet because of how the roofline reads from pedestrians and that the team had record drawings showing an 18‑foot single‑story neighbor used for context.

Board members pressed on FEMA/flood‑elevation effects, site grading and how a finished‑floor elevation (staff cited about 2.5 feet above existing grade) would change apparent height. After discussion, a board member moved to approve the project "with staff recommended conditions with the exception of the 1st condition," the motion was seconded, and the board approved the certificate unanimously.

Next steps: the applicant must provide required documentation during permitting (including the Green Building FAR exemption evidence staff requested) and comply with the remaining conditions attached to the approval.