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Historic board approves removable wooden staircase for 128 North Federal after owner cites fall risk
Summary
The Lake Worth Beach Historic Resource Preservation Board granted a certificate of appropriateness allowing a removable wooden staircase at 128 North Federal with conditions (curved design, removable materials, and height limit) after the homeowner cited a 9‑inch riser and mobility impairment; staff had recommended denial to protect a rare semicircular brick stair feature.
The Lake Worth Beach Historic Resource Preservation Board voted to approve a conditioned Certificate of Appropriateness for a removable wooden staircase at 128 North Federal to address an owner accessibility hardship.
Staff had recommended denial, arguing the semicircular brick stairs are a character‑defining feature of the contributing resource and that covering or changing material would conflict with the Historic Preservation Design Guidelines and the ordinance. Staff presentation noted the stairs date to original blueprints (1945) and argued the proposed rectangular wooden overlay would change proportions and risk loss of original fabric.
Applicant Deborah Yates told the board the existing brick risers measure about 9 inches and that following a 2023 hip surgery complication she cannot safely use the steps: “The rises are 9 inches tall… I can’t walk up and down them.” She said she would not enlarge the opening, would avoid permanent damage and was willing to use removable Simpson brackets so the wooden assembly could be taken off in the future.
Board members discussed alternatives including adding intermediate removable treads, reconfiguring risers to more equal heights, and whether a smaller brick solution could meet both safety and preservation goals. Staff and multiple members said a removable wood solution that preserved sightlines to the arch/portico and stayed under the zoning/structure height thresholds could be acceptable.
The board’s motion approved the COA with conditions that the staircase be curved/round to retain the visual relationship with the portico, be made of removable materials (wood or similar) rather than permanent brick, and not exceed 30 inches in total height so it would not count as a permanent structure. The board noted the approval is conditioned on final details to be worked out with staff.
