HomeMy Public PortalAbout1959-02-11 Special Meeting31
February 11_,, 1959
A special meeting of the Bei Harbour Village Council
was held February 11, 1959 at 4:45 p.m.
Those present were Messrs. Brown, Faulkner and Hart.
Absent: Mr. nroeman and Mr. Beatty.
Also present were Tom H. Anderson, Attorney for the
Village; Mary T. Wet.terer, Village Clerk; and W. H. Webb,
Village Manager.
Mayor Brown called the meeting to order and after
hearing he Roll Call announced that a special meeting had
been called to consider Petitions fre various businecs and
c.vic groups op^osing the posci.ble cotstruction of a large
apartment building on Tract E of the Ocean Front under an F.H.A.
approved mortgage.
Mr. Joseph Hoover, owner of the Bel Bridge .Apartments,
then came forward and presented the following petition which
was read by Mayor Brown.
"We, the representatives of the residents and
property owners of SAL HARBOUR, hereby petition
the Village Council to formally oppose by whatever
means are at their disposal the proposed approval
of F.H.A. of Insurance for a building project on
Tract E, Ocean Front in this community on the basis
there does not exist a need for this type of financing
for additional residential facilities that they
are proposing either at the present er in the fore—
seeable future in accordance with our master plan."
Petition signed by: Joseph Hoover, K. C. Gifford,
Anthony Rieck, Harmon V. Swart, W. J. Kelley,
Frank.D. McKay, Edward W. Collins, Lawrence Tisch,
Harry Toiton, William E. Beckman, Jr., Irving
Feldman, Herbert W. White, Stanley F. Whitman.
The Mayor asked for someone to explain the full meaning of
the petition whereupon Mr. Stanley Whitman, owner of our
Business Section, stated that the petition is nothing more
than a spontaneous act of the taxpayers of this community
who feel that the proposed F.H.A. financing on Tract E on
the Ocean Front is not in the best interest of the Community
and therefore are presenting the petition.
Then Mr. Willoughby, Manager of the Ivanhoe Hotel,
presented a copy of a resolution passed at the meeting of the
Hotel. Assn. of Bal Harbour at, the Ivanhoe Hotel, Saturday
February 7, 1959, at 10:00 A.M., in conjunction with Mr.
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Irving Feldman of the Carlton Terrace and Mr. Fred Abel
representing the Seaview Hotel.
"3E IT RESOLVED BY BAL HARBOUR HOTEL OVwNERS
ASSOCIATION THAT:
1. The proposed insuring of a mortgage loan by
the Federal Housing Administrator in the sum
of $6,000,000.00 to Aibort Robin, Sol Taplin,
and Norman K. Winston, in order to finance the
construction of a 14—story 300—unit luxury
type apartment house on Ocean Front Tract E
of Ba1 Harbour, is contrary to the public
interest and should Le vigorously opposed by
the members of the association and by all
public officials, municipal, county, state
and Federal.
2. That said proposed insurance is also contrary
to the intent of Congress, which was to
facilitate the construction of rental accommo—
dations at reasonable rent and suitable for
family living. The apartments proposed to
be constructed on. Tract F. will contain some
units which, it is understood, will be rented
for $600.00 each,per month, and the apartment
will also contain a dining terrace for restau—
rants and shops. Such accommodations could
nut possibly be supplied for amounts in the
reach of persons of ordinary income, and the
use of public credit to r.r.nstruc` facilities
beyond the reach of such persons is discrimina—
tory".
Signed by John R. Willoughby
Secretary
After some discussion Mr. Tom Anderson, attorney for
the ''✓illaye, advised the Council that the petition and resolu—
tion were asking the Council to take some action; that if the
members of the Council feel that this is not for the best
interest of Bat Harbour then they should move that the petition
anu resolution be adopted.
Mr. Hart stated that he felt the petition and resolu—
tion represented a minority group as far as the community is
concerned and that it woulo he out of line for the Council to
take any action on it. Is it a matter of public interest:
or for a small group of people in this Village?
Mr. Anderson then advised that if you think only
the interest of a small group of people would he affected
probably you should not take any action. If you thnk it
February ).'., 1959
33
is a matter of public concern, than you should take sorne
action.
Mr. Whitman stated that although there are only a
few names on the petitior, it is not representing a minority
group — actually every owner of ocean Front property, except
Tract E, have signed that petition as well as the owners
of 90 percent of the commercial property, representatives
of the Hal Harbour Club, and the home owners who were able
to attend the meeting. Everyone in that mom represented
every phase of Dal Harbour property and everyone signed the
petiti-in. They were not able to contact all the home owners
in 2a1 Harbour because of the tine element.
Mr. Hart stated that he did not feel that it represent—
ed the people in Bel Harbour. If there were 150 names or more
he would consider it as representing the people. He further
stated that he felt that this is out of the realm of the
jurisdiction or authcrity of the Council.
Mr. Brown then stated he was staking as an apartment
house owner and he did not believe that the gentlemen of the
Council were -*ite clear as to why this. is '. eing done and it
should be explained to them and then he would call for a vote.
Mr. Anderson advised that since it i, obvious that
Mr. Faulkner and Mr. Hart had not been given any preliminary
information and they wanted to do whatever is necessary for
the good of the town, that the meeting be adjourned until
the next regular meeting so that they could become more
informed.
Mr. Whitman explained that in the opinion of the group
present and the men who signed the petition they believe that
when Congress created Title 207 and 60E of F.H.A. it was for
low cost and medium cost housing, Bel Harbour is not an
area of low or medium rest housing and they do not believe
that it was ever the intent of Congress for this tc he used
for luxury units. Mr. Kirkeby, Mr. Tisch, and others who
have invested their money in ocean front property had to
finance their huiloinys with ccnventional loans which is at
60% and F.H.A. financing is 90% and they are faced with
competition of the Federal Cove.rnment which they cannot meet.
The owner can take a Title 207 and convert it to 211 which is
for cooperative apartments they can sell for $600.rn dow❑
and pay the balance over 3C-40 years. This is competition
that the present apartment house owners cannot meet.
Mr. Faulkner wanted to know if the Hotel Assn. had
taken any action such as sending wires to Cengress. In answer
to this, Mr. Brown stated that he did nrt know of any.
Mr. Hart said that he did not think it was the duty of
the Council to discriminate or decide who is to live in Bal
Harbour and that ho would like ten have the entire Council
February 11, 1059
34
present before any decision is made.
Mr. Tisch, owner of the Anerica.,a, then asked if
Mr. Hoover could explain what is considered a need for F.H.A.
Mr. Hoover said that first, show that there is a shortage
of facilities; second, that adequate financing is not avail—
able; and third, 1t would fit into a master plan for the
good of a community.
Mr. Tarlin, one of the owners of Tract E, said that
since the decision is to be postponed until a further meeting
he would like to bring an expert on F.H.A. who will answer
the questions from all groups fcr it is their desire to
conform in this community.
Mr. Robin, one of the owners of Tract E, said that he
felt that the Hotel Assn. probably is worried about the type
of building and who is gniny to live in it. The F.N.A. has
provided financing for buildinys of this type in New York,
Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Detroit, :;hicago 1n which the rent
runs from $385. — $400. per month and that they have a brochure
of an apartment being built in Washington, D. C. in which the
apartments will rent for $600. per month. A lot of money
has been invested in this property and they will be particular
about the type of people living there as the leases will be
on 3-5 year basis and each person will be thoroughly screened.
Mayor Brown asked Mr. Robir, if the intent of the
F.H.A. was not to build at low cast.
Mr. Robin answered that this is wrong. The purpose
of the F.H.A. was tc stimulate housing in the U.S.
Mr. Faulkner asked if this apriication had ever been
turned down. Mr. Robin replied that many 806 projects had
been built in this area with cor::.iderable defects and that
the former F.H.A. head here had not approved any applications
'or 2C7 or 60E buildings and no F.H.A. projects were built
+n this area durin-.i the 6 years he was here. He is now
retired.
Mr. Whitman then asked +h,.t he might read an article,
which appeared in the Miami Harald December 21., 1958 written
be Fred Sherman and entitled A HOOT POTATO FOR FHA. Dur my
the discussion .t was pointed out by Mr. Taplin that they
had built F.H.A. finances buildings on lend that cost much
more than this land in question and they were not trying to
do anything wrong. The plens had been left in the building
department but had not been submitted for approval, and that
some changes have 1e ) made to meet F.H.A. requirements.
A. the conclusion of the discussion, the Mayor asked
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the Council what their wishes were in this matter whereupon
Mr. Faulkner made a motinn that the matter :;e tabled until
the regular meeting on February 2Eth so that both sides
would have a chance to present their cases. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Hart. The meeting was adjourned.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Clerk
February 11, 1959
February 28s_1959
The Council of Bal Harbour Village met at 9:30 a.m.
on February 28, 1959 at the Village Hall.
Those present were Messrs. Brown, Broeman, Beatty,
Faulkner and Hart.
Also present were Tom H. Anderson, Village Attorney;
Mary T. Wetterer, Village Clerk; and W. H. Webb, Village Manager.
The minutes of the regular meeting of January 24, and
the special meeting of February 11, 1959 were accepted as
submitted on motion of Mr. Broeman, seconded by Mr. Beatty
and unanimously voted.
Mayor Brown called the meeting to order and after
hearing the roll call announced that the first order of
business was to again consider the petitions and resolutions
from various business and civic groups opposing the possible
construction of a large apartment building on Tract E of
the Ocean Front under an F.H.A. approved mortgage. This
matter was first brought before the Council at a special
meeting held on February llth at which time the Council
decided to table the matter until the regular meeting in
order to allow all persons concerned to have more time to
become better informed.
Mr. A. J. Hoffman, President of the Bal Harbour Club,
Inc. presented a petition to the Village council requesting
the Village Council to adopt a resolution opposing such action
by the owners as being contrary to the best interest of the
community of Bal Harbour. The petition reads as follows:
"The Board of Governors of Bal Harbour Club, Inc.,
have been informed that the present owners of Tract E,