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Residents and some council members push back on seven‑story proposal, saying it would alter Lantana’s character
Summary
Multiple residents and at least one council member said seven stories is too tall for downtown Lantana, calling for lower height limits or stronger design controls; the developer said taller height is needed for economic viability.
Height became the central point of contention during public comment and council Q&A. One council member framed it as "the elephant in the room," reporting residents' opposition to a seven‑story western building and suggesting five stories as a possible compromise.
Several residents urged the council to prioritize the town’s small‑scale character. Edge Ropshire told the council the design looked like a "monstrosity" and urged officials to "stick to the codes." Another resident, Majella McNamara, said the proposal felt "very corporate looking" and called the design "ambiguous" when the community did not yet know what it would get.
The developer responded that height affects unit mix and the project's economic viability: reducing height would reduce rentable units and could raise room rates or make the project unprofitable. Council members expressed differing views: one said he could accept seven stories if the use is a hotel, while others said they preferred a lower maximum.
